12/08/2008

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.

She was jailed for six-and-a-half years while her husband, who admitted deception, was sentenced to six years.

The couple swindled £250,000 in insurance money on the back of John Darwin's staged death.

Anne Darwin had 28 days to lodge any appeal from the date of sentence on 23 July.

If her appeal is given the go-ahead, her case will be heard at the Court of Appeal.

Her solicitor, Nicola Finnerty, defended her during her case and is understood to have also worked on her grounds for appeal.

John Darwin vanished after an apparent canoe accident in the sea of Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, in 2002.

However, the 57-year old walked into to a London police station in December last year claiming that he had lost his memory.

Anne Darwin said in her defence that she was a victim of "marital coercion" and that her "domineering" husband had been the reason she went along with the deception.

At her trial, Mr Justice Wilkie rejected the claims and told the Darwins that their son's lives were "crushed" by the deception and that meant a severe sentence was needed.

Anthony and Mark Darwin have said that they will never be able to forgive their parents.

Anthony told The Mail on Sunday: "They have tarnished all the good times that came before. I can't ever forgive them for putting us through the torture of mourning."

Anne Darwin was convicted of six counts of fraud and nine of money laundering.

See: Darwin Sons Reject Mum's Jail Appeal

(DS)

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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.
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.
23 July 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.
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.
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.