Canoe couple committed for trial

John and Anne Darwin have been committed to crown court

Back-from-the-dead canoeist John Darwin and his wife are to appear before crown court, magistrates have ruled.

The 57-year-old and his wife Anne, 55, of Seaton Carew, are jointly accused of six counts of obtaining money by deception, totalling nearly £250,000.

Mr Darwin walked into a police station on 1 December after going missing from his Teesside home in March 2002.

The couple, who are in custody, appeared before Hartlepool Magistrates court via video link.

They were told on Friday that their case had been committed to Teesside Crown Court for trial at a later date.

No bail applications were made.

Mr Darwin disappeared from his home in Seaton Carew and was presumed drowned after the wreck of his canoe was found.

In 2003, a coroner officially declared him dead.