Romanian rapist has prison term reduced on appeal

Ali Majlat carried out the sex attack on a 22-year-old woman who was waiting for a train at Wakefield's Kirkgate Station, on October 12 2008, only days after he had been released from prison for burglary.

The 35-year-old, who admitted rape and robbery, was sentenced to indefinite imprisonment for public protection (IPP) at Leeds Crown Court on April 3 last year. A five-year minimum term was set and he was recommended for deportation.

The sentencing judge said it became clear from what he told a psychiatrist that his motive was to be jailed, for accommodation and to learn English.

But yesterday, the minimum term imposed was cut to three years by Lord Justice Dyson, Mr Justice Sweeney and Mrs Justice Swift at London's Criminal Appeal Court.

Majlat, who has a string of convictions in Romania, travelled to the UK to visit his brother who was serving a sentence at Wakefield Prison for rape and attempted murder.

He was refused entry to the high-security prison and spent the next couple of days sleeping rough before carrying out the sex attack.

Initially he approached the woman and asked for sex, saying "love me, love me". She she rejected him, he punched her in the face on the station platform, shouting, "you should love me".

As she tried to escape, Majlat chased her into an underpass, throttled, and raped her.

Following the 10-minute attack, Majlat robbed his victim and left. He took a coach to London and was arrested at a Salvation Army hostel several days later.

Giving the judgement, Lord Justice Dyson said that Majlat has 11 previous convictions in Romania, including attempted robbery and theft.

But despite condemning the offence, he concluded the minimum term imposed had been too high in the circumstances.

He said: "The learned judge concluded that he was dangerous. The victim was not only raped, but robbed.

"Nevertheless the minimum term was too long by some margin. The result is that the appeal is allowed."