Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Wednesday 29th January 2025, at 17:40hrs
The suspect approached lone women whilst performing sex acts on himself in his van across two countys
A man has admitted a string of sex offences in which he approached lone women in his van while performing sex acts on himself.
On the afternoon of Friday, January 17, we received a call from a woman who had been on her way to pick up her children from school in Darlington when she was approached by a man driving a white rental van.
The man, who was committing a sex act while driving, asked the woman if she would sleep with him before driving away.
The quick-thinking woman managed to take some photographs of the van showing a partial registration number, which officers from Darlington CID used to track down the driver.
On Monday (January 27), Thomas Rees was arrested at his home in Harrogate, in North Yorkshire, and he was brought into custody for questioning.
Analysis of the 28-year-old’s phone found several videos saved inside a locked folder which showed him committing similar offences to the one in Darlington on at least nine separate occasions.
Rees was charged with nine counts of exposure and appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court yesterday (January 28) where he admitted the offences.
He was remanded in custody to appear back at court on Tuesday, February 18 for sentencing.
Detective Constable Daniela Jones, from Darlington CID, said: “I’d like to commend the woman in this case who, despite being distressed and upset by what she had witnessed, managed to take pictures of Rees’ van as he fled the scene.
“Her quick-thinking actions ultimately enabled us to track down and arrest a dangerous sexual predator and get him off the streets where he cannot cause any further harm.
“Our enquiries have revealed that Rees preyed on women across the north of the country, in particular in Gateshead, Leeds, and Sheffield.
“We would like to speak to anyone who may have been a victim of his abhorrent behaviour – if you have then please get in touch.”
The other incidents took place in the following locations in September and October last year:
Gateshead: High Heworth Lane
Leeds: Berkeley Terrace, Bayswater Mount, Compton Avenue, Seaforth Avenue, Gledhow Road
Sheffield: Wheldrake Road, Firth Park Road
Anyone who has experienced a similar incident should contact police on 101.
If you’d prefer to remain anonymous, information can be submitted to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website, http://www.crimestoppers-org.uk
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