TIMOTHY DIN, THE MASKED PREDATOR OF HARTLEPOOL AND THORNABY, SENTENCED FOR TEESSIDE'S FEARFUL CRIMES

In the dark and troubling days of July 2013, the community of Teesside was still haunted by the terrifying crimes committed by Timothy Din, a man whose sinister actions left a lasting scar on the towns of Hartlepool and Thornaby. Known infamously as the “Man in the Mask,” Din’s reign of terror spanned from 1999 to 2000, during which he preyed on vulnerable women and girls, often while they were asleep in their own homes.

Din’s criminal activities first came to light when police investigations revealed a pattern of sexual assaults and rapes that had instilled widespread fear across the region. His modus operandi involved wearing a black balaclava, which earned him the moniker that struck terror into the hearts of residents. His victims ranged in age from as young as 15 to women in their early thirties, and his attacks were characterized by a disturbing combination of sexual violence and intrusion.

The first known attack occurred in November 1999, when Din raped a 22-year-old woman. Over the following months, he continued his assault spree, including a February 2000 incident where he ambushed an 18-year-old woman walking home at around 1 a.m. He dragged her into a nearby field, where he indecently assaulted her and punched her in the face. The violence and predatory nature of his crimes heightened the community’s anxiety, prompting police warnings to women of all ages in Thornaby to remain vigilant.

Din’s criminal pattern escalated in March 2000, when he targeted a 22-year-old mother. During this period, he also committed two particularly chilling home invasions. In one instance, a 33-year-old woman awoke to find the masked intruder peering into her bedroom. Just a month later, he attacked a 15-year-old girl who was sleeping on a settee. Despite a violent sexual assault, she managed to fight him off, demonstrating remarkable resilience.

The police’s efforts to apprehend Din intensified after a close call in December 2000. He was spotted hiding in a garden by a couple returning home in the early hours. The boyfriend of Din’s intended victim confronted him and managed to rip the balaclava from his head, revealing a piece of skin that would prove crucial in linking Din to the crimes. This evidence, along with DNA analysis, became the turning point in the investigation.

Detective work revealed that Din, a diesel fitter by profession, had been using his other criminal activities—specifically, the theft of diesel fuel from parked vehicles—as a cover to observe lone women. His familiarity with the local area and his criminal background allowed him to operate with a disturbing level of cunning. The police matched the DNA from the scene of the final attack to Din, who was then arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape, and one count of burglary with intent to commit rape.

In April 2002, after a lengthy trial at Teesside Crown Court, Din was found guilty of all charges. The court declared him a “continued danger to the public” and sentenced him to 20 years in prison. His conviction marked a significant victory for the community, which had endured nearly two years of relentless fear and trauma. Din, who was 44 at the time of sentencing, was also placed on the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

Despite his heinous crimes, Din maintained a facade of normalcy in his personal life. To those around him, he appeared as a quiet, unassuming family man. Residing in a modest house in Hartlepool, he was married and a father of five children. His employment as a diesel fitter for a prominent local taxi firm provided him with the opportunity to lead a double life, blending into the community while secretly committing acts of unimaginable violence.

Din’s criminal record extended well before his infamous attacks in Thornaby. As a juvenile, he had a history of petty theft, and at the age of 15, he was convicted of indecent assault on a woman. His past also included an incident in 1991 where he stole a woman’s underwear from a washing line, revealing a pattern of troubling behavior from a young age.

Throughout the legal proceedings, Din consistently denied any involvement in the crimes. Even after DNA evidence linked him conclusively to the attacks, he refused to admit guilt. Victims who had endured his assaults were forced to relive their trauma in court, with one woman tearfully recounting how she woke up to find a stranger in her bedroom, who then raped her in front of her crying daughter. She described Din’s chilling remark about taking her night clothes as a “souvenir.”

When Din took the stand, he claimed he was innocent, asserting that on the night he was confronted in Thornaby, he was merely attempting to steal fuel from a lorry and had run away when spotted. He insisted he was hiding in the garden to escape police, denying all allegations.

On April 25, 2002, the jury—comprising eight women and four men—deliberated for over eight hours before returning a guilty verdict. As the sentence of 20 years was handed down, Din broke down sobbing in the dock. The verdict brought a mixture of relief and emotional release for his victims, who had anxiously awaited justice. Despite his protests and subsequent appeal in 2003, Din’s conviction and sentence were upheld by the High Court, affirming the community’s safety and the severity of his crimes.