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/7128196.stm
The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| Police arrest 'missing canoeist' | Police arrest 'missing canoeist' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A man who reappeared five years after it was thought he had drowned at sea while canoeing, has been arrested on suspicion of fraud. | |
| John Darwin, 57, was presumed dead after the remains of his canoe were found on a beach in Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, Teesside, in March 2002. | |
| He walked into a London police station at the weekend, saying he did not remember where he had been. | |
| He was arrested at the home of one of his sons in Chineham, Hampshire. | |
| Cleveland Police said Mr Darwin appeared tanned and well, when he spoke to officers and issued a worldwide appeal for help in tracing his movements over the past five years. | |
| The arrest came as the Daily Mirror published a photo alleging it showed Mr Darwin and his wife, Anne, in Panama. | The arrest came as the Daily Mirror published a photo alleging it showed Mr Darwin and his wife, Anne, in Panama. |
| The newspaper reported that a photo of the Darwins was apparently taken last year in an apartment rented through the firm Move to Panama. | The newspaper reported that a photo of the Darwins was apparently taken last year in an apartment rented through the firm Move to Panama. |
| There has been no independent verification of the Mirror's photo | There has been no independent verification of the Mirror's photo |
| There has been no independent verification of the photo. | There has been no independent verification of the photo. |
| Det Supt Tony Hutchinson, of Cleveland Police, told reporters that arrangements were being made to transport Mr Darwin back to Teesside. | |
| He said Mr Darwin's reappearance had "raised a lot of questions" and he made a public appeal for information, telling reporters: "There will be people out there who know exactly where he has been, what he has been doing and where he has been living." | |
| Cleveland Police said a man had been arrested by Hampshire officers at their request at an address in Chineham, but made no further comment. | Cleveland Police said a man had been arrested by Hampshire officers at their request at an address in Chineham, but made no further comment. |
| Mr Darwin, who was reunited with his sons Anthony and Mark earlier this week, said he could not remember anything since June 2000. | Mr Darwin, who was reunited with his sons Anthony and Mark earlier this week, said he could not remember anything since June 2000. |
| His wife, Anne, recently sold the couple's home and moved to Panama. | His wife, Anne, recently sold the couple's home and moved to Panama. |
| She told the Daily Mail newspaper she claimed her husband's life insurance payouts in good faith after he had been declared dead by a coroner in 2003. | She told the Daily Mail newspaper she claimed her husband's life insurance payouts in good faith after he had been declared dead by a coroner in 2003. |
| She added that money may now have to be repaid. | She added that money may now have to be repaid. |
| In the statement issued earlier through Cleveland Police, Anthony, 29, and Mark, 31, said that the news of their father's appearance had come as a huge shock to the whole family, but they were extremely happy. | In the statement issued earlier through Cleveland Police, Anthony, 29, and Mark, 31, said that the news of their father's appearance had come as a huge shock to the whole family, but they were extremely happy. |
| 'Stressful time' | 'Stressful time' |
| They said he appeared to be in good health and that his wife had been informed and was delighted at the news. | They said he appeared to be in good health and that his wife had been informed and was delighted at the news. |
| They added: "Since Saturday evening we have been through a traumatic and emotional time and this continues to be a stressful time for John and the family." | They added: "Since Saturday evening we have been through a traumatic and emotional time and this continues to be a stressful time for John and the family." |
| Mr Darwin's 80-year-old aunt Margaret Burns, from Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, said: "We don't know the truth of the story, but I think we will if we wait a bit. | Mr Darwin's 80-year-old aunt Margaret Burns, from Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, said: "We don't know the truth of the story, but I think we will if we wait a bit. |
| "But what's the point in speculating, when we don't know? I'm as intrigued as anybody about what happens next. | "But what's the point in speculating, when we don't know? I'm as intrigued as anybody about what happens next. |
| "Most of the family believe the trauma of nearly drowning in the canoe was enough to make him lose his memory, but I'm not so sure." | "Most of the family believe the trauma of nearly drowning in the canoe was enough to make him lose his memory, but I'm not so sure." |
| Cleveland Police issued helpline numbers for those who may have any information. | |
| They are 0800 056 0944 for calls from the UK and 02077 158 0010 for international callers. |