Canoeist cash confiscation delay

A confiscation hearing is due to be held in November

Police are facing delays in their case to claw back money fraudulently claimed by back-from-the-dead canoeist John Darwin and his wife Anne.

The couple, of Seaton Carew, Teesside, was jailed in 2008 for a scam in which Darwin faked his own death in 2002.

They wanted to use cash from the false claims to start a new life in Panama.

Cleveland Police said they contacted authorities in Panama to ask for co-operation in getting the assets back but had yet to receive a reply.

The couple had convinced the police, a coroner, financial institutions and even their two sons that John Darwin had drowned in the North Sea.

Confiscation case

They used the story of his death to make fraudulent life insurance and pension claims.

However, in November 2007 he returned to the UK, telling police he was a missing person with amnesia.

Darwin, 58, was subsequently jailed for six years for deception, while 57-year-old Anne Darwin was jailed for six-and-a-half-years for fraud and money laundering.

In March, they lost appeals against their sentences.

A hearing is due to be held in November to decide the full value of the fraud.

Cleveland Police are hoping to seize assets including an apartment and land in Panama.

Det Insp Dave Turnbull said: "There is a confiscation case ongoing under the Proceeds of Crime Act and a restraint order has been granted by a judge at Teesside Crown Court preventing the Darwins from dissipating their assets.

"Earlier this year we sent a letter of request to the Panama Government requesting their help with our inquiries. However we are yet to hear back from them."