A former taxi driver jailed for sexually assaulting a passenger has been told he is not fit to hold a licence.

Magistrates said the public was entitled to complete confidence in the taxi service and threw out his appeal to get his licence back.

Amir Fikri, 25, was jailed for four months after he was convicted at Lewes Crown Court in April 1998 of indecently assaulting a Japanese student.

But at Brighton Magistrates Court yesterday, he asked for another chance.

He said: "I am doing my best to live my life. I have suffered a lot.

"I know what I did was wrong and I have been judged and paid the price but it does not mean I have to be blamed all my life.

"I want to get my licence back, carry on working and live a normal life.

"Three years have passed and there is no reason for me to be refused.

"I have done something wrong but it does not mean the public will be scared of me."

The father-of-two, of Goldstone Villas, Hove, was refused a new hackney carriage licence by Brighton and Hove City Council because of his crime.

After hearing Fikri's appeal, magistrate Thomas Tilley told him: "We find you are not a fit and proper person to hold a licence because of the previous conviction of indecent assault.

"The public is entitled to complete confidence in the taxi service."

Fikri, who had been a taxi driver since 1997, had his licence revoked after he was convicted. When he applied for a licence again earlier this year his application was refused.

David Collins, the city council's hackney carriage officer, told the court licences were not granted unless the council was satisfied the applicants were fit and proper people to drive a taxi.

Checks were carried out, including police records.

He said licences could be granted to people with previous convictions, depending on the type of conviction and how long ago the offence was committed.

But he said this conviction was particularly relevant, as Fikri used his position as a driver to commit the offence.

He said the offence was committed against a young and vulnerable foreign student late at night and the interests of public safety had been taken into account.

Fikri, who is now a delivery driver, was ordered to pay £300 costs to the city council.