A MAN accused of a string of sexual assaults on women in a North-East town admitted to police he was a thief but denied being a sex attacker, a court heard yesterday.

The court heard that father-of-five Timothy Din told police investigating a series of sex attacks committed by a masked man in Thornaby, near Stockton: "I might be a thief, but there's no way I'm one of them."

A jury at Teesside Crown Court was read police interviews with 44-year-old Mr Din, from Yeovil Walk, Hartlepool, where he denied being the man who had raped a woman, and attempted to rape another three between November 1999 and December 2000, at addresses in the town.

He denies a charge of rape on November 23, 1999, and attempted rape on February 4 and 20, 2000, and March 19, 2000.

He also denies burglary with intent to rape on December 10, 2000.

The court heard previously that Mr Din had been found hiding in a garden in Thornaby, wearing a balaclava, by a woman and her partner who were returning home in the early hours of December 10, 2000.

The prosecution claims Mr Din was lying in wait for the woman, intending to rape her.

In his interview with police, Mr Din said he had been out stealing diesel, and had gone into the garden to hide after being chased.

He said it was freezing that night, and that was why he was wearing the balaclava hat.

The trial continues.