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18/07/2008
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.
Mrs Darwin's defence team insist she was a victim of "marital coercion" by her husband who allegedly forced her into going along with a plan to fake his own death.
Yesterday, the jury at Teeside Crown Court heard that the couple allegedly conspired to fraudulently claim £250,000 in pension and insurance funds and start a new life together in Panama.
Mrs Darwin, a former doctor's receptionist, denies six counts of deception and nine of money laundering.
During cross-examination, Mrs Darwin, 56, said she "didn't want the money" and "money was not important to me".
Prosecuting, Andrew Robertson QC said "you knew when you went to pick him [Mr Darwin] up to make his getaway that you were going to hurt your children in the most acute way imaginable".
Mrs Darwin said in response that she "wasn't looking forward to it" and that she had "no choice".
Mr Robertson then asked Mrs Darwin why she didn't bring her son's pain to an end and she replied that she "felt trapped".
Earlier this week, her sons Mark, 32 and Anthony, 29, told the court that their mother had "betrayed them".
She has also denied knowledge of the couple's level of debt and said she didn't realise that claiming insurance money on a person pretending to be dead was fraud.
Her husband has already admitted deception and will be sentenced after his wife's trial.
Mr Darwin disappeared after a supposed canoeing accident near their home in Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, in 2002.
He handed himself into a UK police station in 2007 declaring himself a missing person.
See: Back-From-The-Dead' Canoeist 'Cheated On Wife'
(DS/JM)
Giving evidence, Anne Darwin said her husband "forced her" into telling their sons that he had died in a canoeing accident.
Mrs Darwin's defence team insist she was a victim of "marital coercion" by her husband who allegedly forced her into going along with a plan to fake his own death.
Yesterday, the jury at Teeside Crown Court heard that the couple allegedly conspired to fraudulently claim £250,000 in pension and insurance funds and start a new life together in Panama.
Mrs Darwin, a former doctor's receptionist, denies six counts of deception and nine of money laundering.
During cross-examination, Mrs Darwin, 56, said she "didn't want the money" and "money was not important to me".
Prosecuting, Andrew Robertson QC said "you knew when you went to pick him [Mr Darwin] up to make his getaway that you were going to hurt your children in the most acute way imaginable".
Mrs Darwin said in response that she "wasn't looking forward to it" and that she had "no choice".
Mr Robertson then asked Mrs Darwin why she didn't bring her son's pain to an end and she replied that she "felt trapped".
Earlier this week, her sons Mark, 32 and Anthony, 29, told the court that their mother had "betrayed them".
She has also denied knowledge of the couple's level of debt and said she didn't realise that claiming insurance money on a person pretending to be dead was fraud.
Her husband has already admitted deception and will be sentenced after his wife's trial.
Mr Darwin disappeared after a supposed canoeing accident near their home in Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, in 2002.
He handed himself into a UK police station in 2007 declaring himself a missing person.
See: Back-From-The-Dead' Canoeist 'Cheated On Wife'
(DS/JM)
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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.
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.
07 December 2007
Police Granted Extra Time To Question Canoeist
Police have been granted an extra 36 hours to continue questioning a "lost" canoeist, who reappeared after being missing, presumed dead, for five years. John Darwin, 57, is being held on suspicion of fraud. Meanwhile, his 55-year-old wife, Anne, is believed to be returning to the UK from Panama.
Police Granted Extra Time To Question Canoeist
Police have been granted an extra 36 hours to continue questioning a "lost" canoeist, who reappeared after being missing, presumed dead, for five years. John Darwin, 57, is being held on suspicion of fraud. Meanwhile, his 55-year-old wife, Anne, is believed to be returning to the UK from Panama.
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.
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.
'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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
