This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/tees/7530471.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Family blasts 'Darwin tour' move | Family blasts 'Darwin tour' move |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The aunt of canoe fraudster John Darwin has criticised a holiday firm over plans to take British tourists to places he visited in Central America. | The aunt of canoe fraudster John Darwin has criticised a holiday firm over plans to take British tourists to places he visited in Central America. |
The 57-year-old and his wife Anne, 56, were jailed after John Darwin faked his own death in a canoe accident in 2002. They planned a new life in Panama. | The 57-year-old and his wife Anne, 56, were jailed after John Darwin faked his own death in a canoe accident in 2002. They planned a new life in Panama. |
Journey Latin America's week-long tour takes in Panama City and Lake Gatun, where the pair planned a canoe school. | Journey Latin America's week-long tour takes in Panama City and Lake Gatun, where the pair planned a canoe school. |
Margaret Burns, 80, from County Durham, described the tour plan as "mad". | Margaret Burns, 80, from County Durham, described the tour plan as "mad". |
London-based Journey Latin America said it saw an opportunity to use the Darwin case to "make people aware" that Panama was a wonderful place. | London-based Journey Latin America said it saw an opportunity to use the Darwin case to "make people aware" that Panama was a wonderful place. |
It plans to charge people upwards of £1,400 for the holiday. | It plans to charge people upwards of £1,400 for the holiday. |
Marketing executive Laura Forsyth said: "It has been reported in the media that the Darwins visited Panama City and Gatun Lake, where they hoped to make a home and start up a canoe business. | Marketing executive Laura Forsyth said: "It has been reported in the media that the Darwins visited Panama City and Gatun Lake, where they hoped to make a home and start up a canoe business. |
It's a pity people don't have anything better to do with their time John Darwin's aunt Margaret Burns | It's a pity people don't have anything better to do with their time John Darwin's aunt Margaret Burns |
"Panama City and Gatun Lake are very popular places to visit for tourists visiting Panama. Journey Latin America thought it would be a bit tongue-in-cheek to create an itinerary based on the places that the Darwins visited. | "Panama City and Gatun Lake are very popular places to visit for tourists visiting Panama. Journey Latin America thought it would be a bit tongue-in-cheek to create an itinerary based on the places that the Darwins visited. |
"After all, Panama is a beautiful country boasting tropical forests, palm fringed beaches and colonial towns. We saw an opportunity to make people aware that Panama is a wonderful place to visit." | "After all, Panama is a beautiful country boasting tropical forests, palm fringed beaches and colonial towns. We saw an opportunity to make people aware that Panama is a wonderful place to visit." |
But John Darwin's aunt Margaret Burns, from Blackhall near Peterlee, said: "I think the whole idea is mad. | |
"It will probably go down a bomb, but I don't know why some people are so stupid. | "It will probably go down a bomb, but I don't know why some people are so stupid. |
"Why would anyone want to see a grotty flat in Panama City and some undeveloped jungle in the middle of nowhere. It's sad. | "Why would anyone want to see a grotty flat in Panama City and some undeveloped jungle in the middle of nowhere. It's sad. |
"It's a pity people don't have anything better to do with their time." | "It's a pity people don't have anything better to do with their time." |
The Darwins, from Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, claimed £250,000 in insurance and pension payouts after John Darwin faked his death. | The Darwins, from Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, claimed £250,000 in insurance and pension payouts after John Darwin faked his death. |
The fraud was exposed after a 2006 photo of them with an estate agent in Panama City appeared on the internet. | The fraud was exposed after a 2006 photo of them with an estate agent in Panama City appeared on the internet. |