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Jan
Harrogate man pleads guilty to string of sex offences
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A Harrogate man has pleaded guilty to multiple sexual offences on Tuesday.
Thomas Rees, 28, was arrested in his home in Harrogate on Monday (January 27) on suspicion of approaching a lone woman in his van and asking her to have sex with him while he performed a sex act on himself.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of Friday, January 17, in Darlington, when Durham Constabulary received a call from a woman who had been approached by Rees in a white rental van while on her way to pick her children up from school.
The woman took photos of the van as it drove away and part of the registration plate was visible. Officers from Darlington CID were then able to track down the driver.
Upon analysing Rees’ phone, authorities found several videos saved in a locked folder which showed him committing as many as nine similar offences on separate occasions.
Rees appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (January 28) where he pleaded guilty to nine counts of indecent exposure.
He has been remanded in custody and will reappear at court on February 18 for sentencing.
Darlington CID detective constable, Daniela Jones, 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 across September and October last year in the following locations:
• Gateshead: High Heworth Lane
• Leeds: Berkeley Terrace, Bayswater Mount, Compton Avenue, Seaforth Avenue, Gledhow Road
• Sheffield: Wheldrake Road, Firth Park Road
If you have experienced a similar incident, contact the police on 101.
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