Inmate assaults Darwin in prison

John Darwin used to work as a prison officer

Back-from-the-dead canoeist John Darwin has been assaulted in prison.

The 58-year-old former prison warden, from Teesside, was attacked by a prisoner after being moved in September to Everthorpe jail in East Yorkshire.

Darwin was jailed in July for six years and three months after admitting faking his death in a canoeing accident and fraudulently claiming £250,000.

His wife Anne was jailed for six-and-a-half years for fraud and money laundering.

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "A prisoner was treated by Everthorpe prison healthcare staff on 7 September following an assault by another prisoner."

John Darwin had worked as a warden at Holme House prison in Stockton.

Earlier this month his solicitor said he had made an application to the Court of Appeal for the right to challenge his prison sentence.

Anne Darwin has already launched an appeal against both her conviction and sentence.