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Canoeist's wife quizzed in court Canoe wife 'treated like a pupil'
(21 minutes later)
The wife of back-from-the-dead canoeist John Darwin has entered the witness box to give evidence in her defence. The wife of back-from-the-dead canoeist John Darwin has told a jury her husband treated her like a school pupil.
Anne Darwin's legal team argue that she was the victim of "marital coercion" by her husband, who forced her to go along with a plan to fake his death. Giving evidence in her defence at Teesside Crown Court, Anne Darwin said the former teacher had "the power to make her feel insignificant".
The jury has heard about a "complicated plot" by the couple to fraudulently claim £250,000 in pension and insurance funds and start a new life. She is accused of taking part in a "complicated plot" to fraudulently claim £250,000 in pension and insurance funds and start a new life.
The 56-year-old denies deception and money-laundering charges.The 56-year-old denies deception and money-laundering charges.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS March 2002 - John Darwin reported missing in the sea off Seaton CarewSearch and rescue operation finds no trace of his bodyWeeks later, his red canoe washes up on a nearby beachApril 2003 - coroner records open verdict into John Darwin's deathAnne Darwin collects life insurance and pension policies worth about £250,000Summer 2007 - Anne Darwin moves to PanamaDecember 2007 - John Darwin walks into a police station and declares himself a missing person Photograph emerges showing Anne and John Darwin together in PanamaBoth are charged with deception offencesJohn Darwin admits deception, but his wife denies the chargesJuly 2008 - Anne Darwin's trial starts on TeessideTIMELINE OF EVENTS March 2002 - John Darwin reported missing in the sea off Seaton CarewSearch and rescue operation finds no trace of his bodyWeeks later, his red canoe washes up on a nearby beachApril 2003 - coroner records open verdict into John Darwin's deathAnne Darwin collects life insurance and pension policies worth about £250,000Summer 2007 - Anne Darwin moves to PanamaDecember 2007 - John Darwin walks into a police station and declares himself a missing person Photograph emerges showing Anne and John Darwin together in PanamaBoth are charged with deception offencesJohn Darwin admits deception, but his wife denies the chargesJuly 2008 - Anne Darwin's trial starts on Teesside
Mr Darwin has admitted deception and will be sentenced later.Mr Darwin has admitted deception and will be sentenced later.
Speaking on the fourth day of her trial, Anne Darwin said: "Superficially he would discuss things with me but my thoughts never seemed to carry any weight.
"What he wanted he would get in the end. He treated me like a second-year pupil.
"I would just be talked down to. He went on and on about things until I just gave up trying."
The prosecution alleges Anne Darwin put on a "great act" for five-and-a-half years in order to convince police and family members that her husband was dead.The prosecution alleges Anne Darwin put on a "great act" for five-and-a-half years in order to convince police and family members that her husband was dead.
Earlier this week, she heard sons Mark and Anthony describe how she had "betrayed" them, leaving them to think their father was dead while she planned a new life with him in Panama.Earlier this week, she heard sons Mark and Anthony describe how she had "betrayed" them, leaving them to think their father was dead while she planned a new life with him in Panama.
And on Wednesday an e-mail from Mrs Darwin asking her husband not to leave her, hours before he handed himself in to UK police, was read in court.And on Wednesday an e-mail from Mrs Darwin asking her husband not to leave her, hours before he handed himself in to UK police, was read in court.
John Darwin vanished from the sea close to his home near Hartlepool in March 2002 and the wreckage of his canoe washed up on a beach weeks later.John Darwin vanished from the sea close to his home near Hartlepool in March 2002 and the wreckage of his canoe washed up on a beach weeks later.
He walked into a police station in December last year, claiming to be suffering from amnesia.He walked into a police station in December last year, claiming to be suffering from amnesia.
Mr Darwin will be sentenced following the conclusion of his wife's trial.Mr Darwin will be sentenced following the conclusion of his wife's trial.