WA taxi driver loses appeal over rape

A taxi driver who fled to India a day after he raped a female passenger and indecently assaulted another in Perth has lost an appeal against his prison sentence.

Simardeep Singh was a Swan Taxis driver in January 2011 when he picked up a 20-year-old woman and during the ride, rubbed her leg and asked about her sex life.

Later, he picked up two women and after dropping one off, stopped at a park, claiming he needed to check something with his car.

The 18-year-old victim was sitting on a bench when Singh pinned her down and raped her.

She reported the attack to police, but Singh was released after questioning pending further inquiries, and fled to India.

He was later extradited and pleaded guilty in the WA District Court to sexual penetration without consent and two counts of indecent assault.

Singh was jailed for five-and-a-half years, to be eligible for parole after three-and-a-half years.

He appealed the sentence, claiming it was manifestly excessive, the sentencing judge failed to adequately state the factual basis for sentencing, and the total effective sentence breached the first limb of the totality principle.

But on Thursday, the Court of Appeal dismissed the case, saying none of the grounds of appeal had been made out.