Taxi drivers, more than anyone else running public transport, are in a position of trust.

Bus or train drivers are seldom alone with their passengers late at night but it is often the case with cabbies.

They are responsible for protecting their passengers, especially in rough areas of towns and cities.

Passengers, especially women, also need to be certain they are not at risk of being attacked or molested by the drivers.

Cabbies have to go through a screening process, including revealing convictions, before licences can be granted or renewed.

Amir Fikri, from Hove, was refused permission by Brighton and Hove City Council to get his licence back after being jailed for sexually assaulting a passenger.

It's true Mr Fikri had paid the price for his offence but it was for assaulting a young, vulnerable foreign student late at night.

The council was right to refuse him a licence and Mr Fikri had a nerve even to consider appealing against the ruling.

Mr Fikri can carrying on working as a delivery driver but people in Brighton and Hove would not feel safe if they knew drivers could get their licences back after being convicted of serious sexual assaults.