Menu
23/07/2008
'Lost' Canoiest Wife Jailed
The wife of "back-from-the-dead" canoeist has been sentenced to six years and six months for fraud.
Anne Darwin, 56, has been convicted at Teeside Crown Court for her role in claiming £250,00 after helping her husband fake his death.
Anne Darwin claimed that her husband had forced her to go through with the plan to con insurance and pension companies.
Her husband, John Darwin has been jailed for six years and three months.
The jury had rejected Anne Darwin's defence of "marital coercion" and convicted her of six counts of fraud and nine of money laundering.
Affectionate emails sent between the couple were shown to support the case against Anne Darwin.
Mr Darwin had admitted deception at an earlier hearing.
Anne Darwin claimed her husband's £25,000 life insurance policy, his teacher's pension worth £25,000, his £58,000 prison service pension, a £137,000 Norwich Union mortgage insurance policy and £4,000 in payouts from the Department of Work and Pensions.
It is understood that the couple were facing bankruptcy although Anne Darwin had denied knowledge of the "level of debt" that they were in.
It is understood the Darwins planned to start a new life together in Panama.
However, the plan was thwarted by John's appearance at a UK police station last December.
It is thought that his action had been prompted by a row.
Mr Justice Wilkie said that "although the sums involved are not as high as some reported cases, the duration of the offending, its multi-faceted nature and in particular the grief inflicted over the years" merits a "particularly severe sentence".
The judge said that their sons were "the real victims" in the case.
Speaking outside court, Detective Inspector Andy Greenwood of Cleveland Police said that they were "pleased with the verdict" and that "Anne Darwin had been a compulsive liar".
A compensation hearing to establish how the Darwins will pay back the £250,000 will take place at a later date.
In March 2002, John Darwin vanished in an apparent canoe accident near their Seaton Carew home.
See: Wife Of 'Back-From-The-Dead' Canoeist 'Breaks Down' At Trial
(DS)
Anne Darwin, 56, has been convicted at Teeside Crown Court for her role in claiming £250,00 after helping her husband fake his death.
Anne Darwin claimed that her husband had forced her to go through with the plan to con insurance and pension companies.
Her husband, John Darwin has been jailed for six years and three months.
The jury had rejected Anne Darwin's defence of "marital coercion" and convicted her of six counts of fraud and nine of money laundering.
Affectionate emails sent between the couple were shown to support the case against Anne Darwin.
Mr Darwin had admitted deception at an earlier hearing.
Anne Darwin claimed her husband's £25,000 life insurance policy, his teacher's pension worth £25,000, his £58,000 prison service pension, a £137,000 Norwich Union mortgage insurance policy and £4,000 in payouts from the Department of Work and Pensions.
It is understood that the couple were facing bankruptcy although Anne Darwin had denied knowledge of the "level of debt" that they were in.
It is understood the Darwins planned to start a new life together in Panama.
However, the plan was thwarted by John's appearance at a UK police station last December.
It is thought that his action had been prompted by a row.
Mr Justice Wilkie said that "although the sums involved are not as high as some reported cases, the duration of the offending, its multi-faceted nature and in particular the grief inflicted over the years" merits a "particularly severe sentence".
The judge said that their sons were "the real victims" in the case.
Speaking outside court, Detective Inspector Andy Greenwood of Cleveland Police said that they were "pleased with the verdict" and that "Anne Darwin had been a compulsive liar".
A compensation hearing to establish how the Darwins will pay back the £250,000 will take place at a later date.
In March 2002, John Darwin vanished in an apparent canoe accident near their Seaton Carew home.
See: Wife Of 'Back-From-The-Dead' Canoeist 'Breaks Down' At Trial
(DS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 July 2008
'Back-From-The-Dead' Canoeist 'Cheated On Wife'
The wife of "back-from-the-dead" canoeist John Darwin has appeared in court today to give her own account in the money laundering and deception case. Anne Darwin told a jury that she forgave her husband after he cheated on her and that she considered leaving him but "didn't know how she would cope" without him.
'Back-From-The-Dead' Canoeist 'Cheated On Wife'
The wife of "back-from-the-dead" canoeist John Darwin has appeared in court today to give her own account in the money laundering and deception case. Anne Darwin told a jury that she forgave her husband after he cheated on her and that she considered leaving him but "didn't know how she would cope" without him.
24 July 2008
'Canoe' Couple Assets Frozen
The assets of John and Anne Darwin have been frozen in the first stage of the asset recovery operation. The 'back-from-the-dead' canoeist and his wife were each sentenced to six years for fraud. There is now a worldwide freeze on their assets and the process to reclaim £250,000 has begun through the Proceeds of Crime Act.
'Canoe' Couple Assets Frozen
The assets of John and Anne Darwin have been frozen in the first stage of the asset recovery operation. The 'back-from-the-dead' canoeist and his wife were each sentenced to six years for fraud. There is now a worldwide freeze on their assets and the process to reclaim £250,000 has begun through the Proceeds of Crime Act.
12 August 2008
Anne Darwin To Appeal Jail Sentence
The wife of the 'back-from-the-dead' canoeist John Darwin, has launched an appeal against her conviction and sentence, it has been revealed. Anne Darwin, 56, was found guilty of 15 charges of fraud and money laundering during a seven-day trial at Teeside Crown Court in July.
Anne Darwin To Appeal Jail Sentence
The wife of the 'back-from-the-dead' canoeist John Darwin, has launched an appeal against her conviction and sentence, it has been revealed. Anne Darwin, 56, was found guilty of 15 charges of fraud and money laundering during a seven-day trial at Teeside Crown Court in July.
16 July 2008
Canoe Man 'Cried And Begged' To Come Home
The wife of 'back-from-the-dead' canoeist John Darwin has told Teesside Crown Court that he had cried and begged her to let him come home after staging his own death. Anne Darwin, 56, faces six charges of deception and nine charges of money laundering linked to insurance payments, in connection with her husband's disappearance.
Canoe Man 'Cried And Begged' To Come Home
The wife of 'back-from-the-dead' canoeist John Darwin has told Teesside Crown Court that he had cried and begged her to let him come home after staging his own death. Anne Darwin, 56, faces six charges of deception and nine charges of money laundering linked to insurance payments, in connection with her husband's disappearance.
18 July 2008
Wife Of 'Back-From-The-Dead' Canoeist 'Breaks Down' At Trial
The wife of "back-from-the-dead" canoeist John Darwin has broke down in tears in court. Giving evidence, Anne Darwin said her husband "forced her" into telling their sons that he had died in a canoeing accident.
Wife Of 'Back-From-The-Dead' Canoeist 'Breaks Down' At Trial
The wife of "back-from-the-dead" canoeist John Darwin has broke down in tears in court. Giving evidence, Anne Darwin said her husband "forced her" into telling their sons that he had died in a canoeing accident.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry with clear skies this evening. Patchy cloud will increase at times overnight, but some clear spells too. Light winds and some patchy shallow mist or fog towards dawn. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
