Police: 'no idea Darwin was alive'
Updated on 10 December 2007
Detectives release new photo of John Darwin today and say they had no idea he was alive until he turned up in a police station nine days ago.
Reports had suggested 57-year-old Darwin gave himself up to police as he knew they were closing in on his disappearing act, but the detective in charge of the case today rejected such claims.
Detective Superintendent Tony Hutchinson also said there were no plans to arrest the Darwins' two sons as part of Cleveland Police's investigation into the "scam".
'There are no plans to arrest anyone else in the coming days, but as always that can change.'Dec Supt Hutchinson
He revealed Darwin had been using the name John Jones in the past few years, and appealed for anyone who recognised the 57-year-old from the "missing" five years to come forward
Dec Supt Hutchinson said: "He [Darwin] was the apparent victim of tragic accident so it's not as if we were looking for him.
"We were not following him. There were some financial transactions that we were having a look at but until the day he walked into a police station we had no idea he was alive."
Darwin, a former teacher and prison officer, disappeared from his home in Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, in March 2002, and was presumed drowned after his wrecked canoe was found.
After turning up at a police station in London nine days ago, he was reminded in custody on charges of fraud.
His 55 year-old wife Anne was also been arrested after flying back to the UK from Panama yesterday.
Dec Supt Hutchinson refused to speculate on how much the Darwins had gained in life insurance and debt write-offs as a result of the disappearance. Some reports have suggested it is as little as £25,000.
He said: "It might not seem like a large amount to some - it might be a low amount compared to other insurance scams - but we are talking about a huge amount of money for the Darwins.
"They have taken some risks and been very successful at it for the past few years."
Dec Supt Hutchinson said Mrs Darwin was finding the police questioning "traumatic", and said careful attention would be paid as to which prison Mr Darwin - a former prison officer - would be sent to while in custody.
He said: "It will be a matter for the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] to decide where he is held, they will of course be aware that he is a former prison officer."
The Darwins are alleged to have bought property in Panama following the 2002 disappearance, creating a new life in the South American country.
Newspaper reports yesterday also seemed to show how the pair had used a secret passage at their homes in Hartlepool to avoid sightings of Mr Darwin.
Dec Supt Hutchinson ruled out any suspicions that the Darwins' sons Anthony and Mark were in on any "scam".
He said: "I have tried to put myself in their shoes - they are the victims. First they found out their dad was alive, then that he had been arrested, and then that their mother knew he was alive.
"I feel dreadfully sorry for them, there was no reason for them to think something like this was happening.
"There are no plans to arrest anyone else in the coming days, but as always that can change."
Mark, 31, and Anthony, 29, have said they never wish to speak with their parents again. Police have until 1am tomorrow to question Mrs Darwin, although they can apply for an extension.
