Daniel Hassan 45

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Detectives hunting on the run rapist Daniel Hassan were able to pinpoint his exact whereabouts when he placed his fast food order.

Northumbria Police detectives tracked down a wanted rapist after he ordered a 19 kebab from Just Eat.

Sexual predator, Daniel Hassan, met his victim on an online dating site and arranged to meet for a date.

The pair met up but Hassan became violent when a comment from the victim sparked an unexpected reaction.

Hassan, 43, repeatedly punched and kicked his victim to the head and body before raping her.

Despite her cries for help, he attacked her again causing more injuries to her face and chest and a laceration to her head.

Hassan left the address as the victim reported him to police and an investigation was launched by the Northumbria Police Safeguarding unit.

The victim could only identify the man as 'Danny' and that he was originally from Manchester but that proved enough for the specialist investigators to track him down.

Despite deleting his dating profile, officers were still able to recover a photo of the suspect and using state-of-the-art technology, the image was a match for Hassan and was believed to be located in the village of Hauxley, County Durham.

There was not a precise location of his whereabouts at that time but it was the moment Hassan ordered a takeaway through Just Eat, that officers were able to pinpoint his exact location and arrest him on suspicion of rape and assault.

During the interview he denied committing any offences and refused to answer any further questions but he was subsequently charged with two counts of assault and one count of rape.

Hassan was remanded in custody and a trial was set for January 17, at Newcastle Crown Court.

However with continued enquiries carried out by the team, Hassan was presented with irrefutable evidence and pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial.

Leading the investigation was Detective Constable Dayna McNally who has praised the victim for her bravery and hopes the outcome gives a strong reassuring message that we will find those committing violent sexual crimes and put them before the courts.

DC McNally said: "I can't imagine how much of a traumatic experience this has been for the victim and she absolutely did the right thing reporting it to police.

"Even with the limited information we knew about Hassan, we have been able to track him down and provide strong evidence of his crimes to the point he has been unable to deny it any more.

"All the victim wanted was to find someone to connect with but this was the vile man she was faced with.

"But now, women are safe from Hassan as he remains in custody awaiting sentence and will no longer be a risk to those looking for companionship."

Hassan of Hessewelle Crescent, Haswell, County Durham has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on March 11.