Canoe wife Anne Darwin disowned by sons
World Exclusive By David Leigh
Distraught canoe wife Anne Darwin begged her horrified boys for forgiveness last night - and sobbed: "What sort of mother am I?"
Anne, 55, broke down after sons Mark and Anthony publicly disowned her and husband John over an elaborate five-year hoax that left them believing their dad had drowned in a canoeing accident.
She said: "Who can blame them? How can they ever forgive me for what I've done to them? I lied to them, my own sons. They are totally innocent. They knew nothing. They thought their father was dead.
"I love my sons dearly and pray they'll forgive me but I understand if they won't.
"What have I done? What have I done? I hate lying. I'm not a dishonest person.
"I really am so sorry. Sorry to them and all my family and friends. How can anyone make sense of the foolish things I've done?"
Darwin, 57, who was presumed drowned after his shattered canoe was found washed up in 2002, returned from the dead on Saturday - marching into a London police station and declaring he had amnesia and remembered nothing of the past seven years.
Anne, 55, who sold the family home near Hartlepool and moved to Panama six weeks ago, said at the time she was shocked and delighted to learn he was alive.
But The Mirror blasted the hoax wide open by tracking down an internet picture of the pair posing together in Panama in July 2006.
Darwin was arrested and is currently being questioned over an alleged fraud involving mortgage policies, pension payouts and property deals.
Police will also be investigating a theory that the ex-teacher revealed he was alive to get revenge on Anne because she dumped him after they started a new life in Panama.
It has been claimed all the couple's assets had been transferred into her name - and he could only attempt to claw them back by returning from the dead.
But when Anne was asked yesterday why she thought Darwin had returned to England she merely said: "Maybe he wanted his old life back. I don't really know. I know he missed our sons tremendously."
Anne still insists she initially believed Darwin was dead when his canoe was found near the mouth of the River Tees in March 2002.
She was unwilling to say exactly when she learned he was still alive. But she admitted the decision to go to the central American state of Panama was a joint one.
She said: "Well, it was John's decision but I went along with it."
And former doctor's receptionist Anne revealed her husband of 28 years was already in Panama when she arrived.
She added: "Yes, he was there, he had been living there and was waiting for me.
"And then he said he was going back. But I had no idea of what he was about to do.
"I do blame John. I should never have listened to him. He can be very persuasive.
But, of course, I'm to blame too.
"I just wish I had told the boys when I found out. I'm sure they would have talked some sense into me. But I didn't. I didn't tell anyone. And one lie led to another.
"I've been living my life as a lie, constantly looking over my shoulder, realising something like this was could happen at some stage. I was never relaxed - always on edge and knowing the truth could come out at any time."
Anthony, 29, and Mark, 31, yesterday issued an emotional statement that told of their horror on discovering they had been allowed to believe their father was dead.
They said: "Having seen the recent media speculation surrounding our parents ever since our dad was arrested, we are very much in an angry and confused state of mind.
"In the short space of time following our dad's appearance in London on Saturday, we have gone through a rollercoaster of emotion.
"From the height of elation at finding him to be alive, to the depths of despair at the recent stories of fraud and these latest pictures. And the shock of being thrust into the media spotlight.
"If the allegations of a confession from our mam are true then we very much feel that we have been the victims in a large scam.
"How could our mam continue to let us believe our dad had died when he was very much alive?
"We have not spoken to either of our parents since our dad's arrest and at this present time we want no further contact with them.
"Cleveland Police have asked for anyone with knowledge of our dad's whereabouts over the last five years to come forward and we support this wholeheartedly.
"We too want to know where he has been and what he has been doing."
Anthony's mother-in-law said he and his wife Louise were still reeling from the developments of the last six days.
Shelley Tilley, 53, said: "It's been very trying for them. The whole thing is so shocking.
"Anne is one of the loveliest women you will ever meet and I do not know why this has happened. Louise is very upset and was crying when I spoke to her last.
"None of us really know what's going on. I am just constantly glued to the TV.
"I am baffled as to why John suddenly returned." Yesterday morning Darwin had a medical examination to ensure he was fit enough to face a strenuous grilling by detectives.
Piecing together the tangled story of his whereabouts over the past five years is expected to be a long job for officers.
Darwin will also face questions about various financial dealings and insurance and pension payouts said to have been made after a coroner declared him legally dead in April 2003.
Before he vanished Darwin worked in a bank, spent 18 years as a teacher and another ten as a prison officer. The Darwins' mobile phone records are also said to be a vital part of the inquiry.
Police began investigating three months ago after credit applications linked to the Darwins' address in Seaton Carew were made in his name.
Anne is thought to have left the UK for Panama with at least £455,000 from the sale of the family home and a neighbouring property also owned by her and her husband.
As Darwin had the first round of interviews yesterday, Anne admitted she feared she would soon be summoned 5,000 miles back to Britain for questioning. And she acknowledged both she and her husband could face jail if they are charged with fraud and found guilty.
Anne said: "I don't want to go to jail. I really don't think I could cope. I just don't. I'm not strong enough. And as for John, he's a former prison officer, what would it be like for him? He'd have a terrible time."
She also admitted she was now no longer sure they would spend the rest of their life together. Anne said: "It's difficult to say. I love him and he says he loves me but there's a lot that's happened.
"Maybe we want different things now. But I have no idea what the future holds. I've lost everything and let down everyone I hold dear."
mirrornews@mgn.co.uk
