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27/03/2009
'Back-From-The-Dead' Canoeist Pair Lose Jail Sentence Appeals
John Darwin, the 'back-from-the-dead' canoeist and his wife have both lost their appeals against jail sentences for their £250,000 fraud scam.
Former teacher John Darwin, 57, has challenged the term of six years and three months which a judge at the Teeside Crown Court handed down last July.
His wife, Anne, 56, is making a renewed application for permission to appeal against conviction at a hearing in London before the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, Mr Justice Irwin and Mr Justice Wyn Williams.
The former doctor's receptionist is appealing against the sentence of six-and-a-half years on the grounds it was "excessive".
However, a judge at the Court of appeal ruled that this was not the case.
The couple were found guilty of a £250,000 swindle that deceived the police, a coroner, financial institutions and their sons, Mark, 32, and Anthony, 29.
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 of faking his death at sea to con insurance and pension companies.
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.
The court heard they had a 12-home property portfolio and were struggling to make mortgage repayments when he paddled into the sea in his home-made canoe and then disappeared.
He turned up at a London police station in December 2007, claiming he had amnesia and thought he was a missing person.
(JM/BMcC)
Former teacher John Darwin, 57, has challenged the term of six years and three months which a judge at the Teeside Crown Court handed down last July.
His wife, Anne, 56, is making a renewed application for permission to appeal against conviction at a hearing in London before the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, Mr Justice Irwin and Mr Justice Wyn Williams.
The former doctor's receptionist is appealing against the sentence of six-and-a-half years on the grounds it was "excessive".
However, a judge at the Court of appeal ruled that this was not the case.
The couple were found guilty of a £250,000 swindle that deceived the police, a coroner, financial institutions and their sons, Mark, 32, and Anthony, 29.
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 of faking his death at sea to con insurance and pension companies.
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.
The court heard they had a 12-home property portfolio and were struggling to make mortgage repayments when he paddled into the sea in his home-made canoe and then disappeared.
He turned up at a London police station in December 2007, claiming he had amnesia and thought he was a missing person.
(JM/BMcC)
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'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.
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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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
