Sam Rahmouni has done a grave disservice to the taxi industry.

The unlicensed cab driver, found guilty of raping one passenger and indecently assaulting another, fully deserves his eight-year jail sentence.

Women put their trust in drivers when they step into their taxis, and are entitled to protection and a safe journey home, whether they are sober or the worse for wear from drink.

The worst aspect of the case was that Rahmouni refused to accept his guilt, and forced the women to give evidence against him in court.

The trial also highlighted the value of DNA.

A sample taken from the assault victim matched that from the woman who had been raped in 2002.

The immediate need will be to restore trust between taxi drivers and their customers.

Every effort must be made to weed out those who masquerade as cab drivers and give the industry a bad name.