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24/07/2008
'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.
Mrs Darwin, 56, was jailed for six and a half years for the fraud and her husband, 57, was jailed for six years and three months after admitting deception at an earlier hearing.
It is understood the couple had planned to begin a new life together in Panama with the proceeds from the scam.
Mrs Darwin had bought an apartment in Panama City, worth £28,000 and spent a further £198,000 on land to build a canoeing centre for tourists.
Her husband, who had a penchant for flashy cars, spent £45,000 on a Toyota Land Cruiser.
The couple also had various bank accounts.
Detective Inspector Andy Greenwood who lead the inquiry said the couple had "hatched a plot" and "liked to portray themselves as well-to-do" and it was an image that they "found difficult to move away from".
Det Insp Greenwood added that "Anne Darwin had been a compulsive liar".
At the sentencing of the pair, Mr Justice Wilkie said that the couples two sons, Mark and Anthony, were the "real victims".
It is reported that two insurance companies, Unat Direct and Norwich Union, have started legal proceedings against the couple for the amount that they defrauded.
A compensation hearing to establish how the couple will pay back the £250,000 that they owe will be held at a later date
Mr Darwin vanished in an apparent canoe accident near their Seaton Carew home in March 2002.
The scam was unravelled after Mr Darwin appeared at a UK police station last December.
See: 'Lost' Canoiest Wife Jailed
(DS)
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.
Mrs Darwin, 56, was jailed for six and a half years for the fraud and her husband, 57, was jailed for six years and three months after admitting deception at an earlier hearing.
It is understood the couple had planned to begin a new life together in Panama with the proceeds from the scam.
Mrs Darwin had bought an apartment in Panama City, worth £28,000 and spent a further £198,000 on land to build a canoeing centre for tourists.
Her husband, who had a penchant for flashy cars, spent £45,000 on a Toyota Land Cruiser.
The couple also had various bank accounts.
Detective Inspector Andy Greenwood who lead the inquiry said the couple had "hatched a plot" and "liked to portray themselves as well-to-do" and it was an image that they "found difficult to move away from".
Det Insp Greenwood added that "Anne Darwin had been a compulsive liar".
At the sentencing of the pair, Mr Justice Wilkie said that the couples two sons, Mark and Anthony, were the "real victims".
It is reported that two insurance companies, Unat Direct and Norwich Union, have started legal proceedings against the couple for the amount that they defrauded.
A compensation hearing to establish how the couple will pay back the £250,000 that they owe will be held at a later date
Mr Darwin vanished in an apparent canoe accident near their Seaton Carew home in March 2002.
The scam was unravelled after Mr Darwin appeared at a UK police station last December.
See: 'Lost' Canoiest Wife Jailed
(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.
'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.
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.
28 July 2008
Darwin Sons Reject Mum's Jail Appeal
The sons of jailed con-couple, John and Anne Darwin, have spoken of their anger over their parents' betrayal. Anthony and Mark Darwin attacked their mother for putting them "through hell" describing their bitterness on their father's faked death.
Darwin Sons Reject Mum's Jail Appeal
The sons of jailed con-couple, John and Anne Darwin, have spoken of their anger over their parents' betrayal. Anthony and Mark Darwin attacked their mother for putting them "through hell" describing their bitterness on their father's faked 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.
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.
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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.
