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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Canoeist wife launches appeal bid | Canoeist wife launches appeal bid |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Anne Darwin, the wife of canoeist John Darwin, has lodged an appeal against her conviction and sentence for fraud and money laundering. | Anne Darwin, the wife of canoeist John Darwin, has lodged an appeal against her conviction and sentence for fraud and money laundering. |
| The 56-year-old was found guilty of 15 charges after a seven-day trial at Teesside Crown Court last month. | The 56-year-old was found guilty of 15 charges after a seven-day trial at Teesside Crown Court last month. |
| She was jailed for six-and-a-half years while her husband, who admitted deception, was jailed for six years. | She was jailed for six-and-a-half years while her husband, who admitted deception, was jailed for six years. |
| If her appeal is given the go-ahead, Anne Darwin's case will be heard at the Court of Appeal. | If her appeal is given the go-ahead, Anne Darwin's case will be heard at the Court of Appeal. |
| John Darwin vanished while canoeing in the sea off Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, in 2002. | John Darwin vanished while canoeing in the sea off Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, in 2002. |
| The 57-year-old reappeared at a London police station in December last year claiming he had lost his memory. | The 57-year-old reappeared at a London police station in December last year claiming he had lost his memory. |
| But he and his wife were later convicted of a £250,000 fraud, in which they conned sons Mark and Anthony, friends, police and insurance companies into believing Mr Darwin drowned. | But he and his wife were later convicted of a £250,000 fraud, in which they conned sons Mark and Anthony, friends, police and insurance companies into believing Mr Darwin drowned. |
| The Darwins' sons were the real victims, said the judge | The Darwins' sons were the real victims, said the judge |
| Anne Darwin kept her husband hidden in the marital home, while her husband acquired a false identity under the assumed name "John Jones". | |
| He later travelled to Panama, where they planned to start a new life together. | He later travelled to Panama, where they planned to start a new life together. |
| The scam was prompted by the Darwins' financial difficulties, including repayments on a dozen properties and credit card debts of more than £60,000. | The scam was prompted by the Darwins' financial difficulties, including repayments on a dozen properties and credit card debts of more than £60,000. |
| Anne Darwin said that her "domineering" husband forced her to go through with the plan to con insurance and pension companies. | Anne Darwin said that her "domineering" husband forced her to go through with the plan to con insurance and pension companies. |
| But her claims were rejected by trial judge Mr Justice Wilkie, who told the Darwins their sons' lives were "crushed" by the deception, and that meant a severe sentence was needed. | But her claims were rejected by trial judge Mr Justice Wilkie, who told the Darwins their sons' lives were "crushed" by the deception, and that meant a severe sentence was needed. |
| The judge said Anthony and Mark Darwin had been the "real victims". | The judge said Anthony and Mark Darwin had been the "real victims". |
| She was convicted of six counts of fraud and nine of money laundering. | She was convicted of six counts of fraud and nine of money laundering. |