London, Jan 21 (ANI): A Romanian immigrant brutally raped a young woman so he would end up in jail and have somewhere to eat, sleep and learn English.

Homeless Ali Majlat, who has a string of convictions in his home country, subjected his 21-year-old victim to the 'violent and sustained' attack as she waited for a train at Wakefield Kirkgate train station in October last year.

At Leeds Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to rape and burglary, and revealed his motive behind the brutal assault.

"When I was on the railway station I thought I should rape this lady in order to get a place to eat and sleep and learn the English language," Sky News quoted Majlat, as saying.

British Transport Police said that the woman received hospital treatment for cuts and bruising, and had been left very shaken by her ordeal.

Police released a CCTV image of Majlat, who was arrested in London four days after the attack.

"This was a violent and sustained attack on a young woman who must have been absolutely terrified," Det Supt Dave Shipperlee, of British Transport Police, said.

"British Transport Police conducted an intensive investigation to catch the man responsible.

"It was through our officers' absolute determination to find him that we were able to track him down to a location in London within five days of the attack," Shipperlee added.

Majlat will be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on April 6. (ANI)