Legal aid for canoe fraud couple

Anne Darwin was pictured with her husband while he was still "missing"

Back-from-the-dead canoeist John Darwin and his wife Anne have been awarded legal aid to fight attempts to recover their assets.

The Teesside couple claimed £250,000 in insurance and pension payouts after he faked his death in 2002.

John Darwin was jailed for six years and three months, and his wife for six years and six months, this week.

Asset recovery proceedings have now begun, and a court hearing will be held at a later date.

A spokeswoman for the Legal Services Commission said: "John and Anne Darwin were both granted legal aid for the Crown Court case.

"The Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings are now beginning and their defence will be covered by legal aid granted at the Crown Court trial."

She added: "Everyone has got to be entitled to representation, but at the time of the proceedings we could get our costs restored to us, or restored in part.

"It is up to the judge."