Canoe antics have sunk all sympathy from me
IT has been a fair few years since I began writing this column and I still get a lot of pleasure each week as I pen my latest thoughts. I opted to be the “Old Codger” specifically so I could reminisce about my past life and recall some of the things therein, occasionally sad maybe, but mostly humorous I believe, from my past. Thankfully there have been no sins I care to add to the list.
These thoughts came back to me when I watched the four-part story on ITV about a guy who did a disappearing act in his canoe so his wife could claim the life insurance and some pension funds to clear massive debts and thus avoid bankruptcy. The latter course of action was the best legal way to clear his debts; his version would amount to fraud if he was caught.
A couple of weeks ago I discovered his wife had written a book after her release from prison. This explained what happened during the five years’ dubious activity after her husband’s fake disappearance. Having been fascinated by the television programme, I decided that I might find the book of further interest and possibly with a greater explanation of the escapade.
I have now finished the book, and have to admit it, written by Anne Darwin assisted by the journalist David Leigh called “Out of my Depth” proved a fascination. The joint crime cost John Darwin a tad over a six-year prison sentence, whilst her punishment was six-anda-half years because she was the one making the fraudulent claims following a coroner’s verdict that her husband was dead.
They both served the usual half of their sentence and were released back into society in 2011. We now are all aware he has departed to the Philippines, taken a new wife but has no funds, whilst Anne Darwin has divorced and returned to her single name and just has her state
pension and lives quietly in a village outside York.
What neither can lose is the criminal record that they have both now got for the rest of their lives.
Having read the book, I sat back to think about both of them, to consider if either attracted any sympathy from me. Clearly, he was just feeling sorry for himself.
As a prison officer at the time, he chose to disappear, he was aware he was committing a crime and knew that he would be roughly treated in prison by the other inmates.
He took a gamble that for five years so nearly paid off.
Anne claimed she was coerced into her part of the crime and pleaded not guilty in the crown court. She did want sympathy, and I believe still does. I do not think she does deserve it from me.
She knew from the very start she would be committing a crime. She was daft enough to go along with the stupid idea, and towards the end of the five years they kept going – I think she was starting to enjoy the life they had created.