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Canoe conman John Darwin’s former jailbird ex-wife lands £10 an hour RSPCA job

Anne Darwin has found work hard to come by since release from prison after fake death scam

CANOE conman John Darwin’s ex-wife has a new job rehoming rescued dogs.

Anne Darwin, 63, jailed for helping hubby John fake his death in a £679,000 insurance scam, earns £10 an hour at an RSPCA sanctuary.

 Anne Darwin has job of rehoming rescued dogs for RSPCA
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Anne Darwin has job of rehoming rescued dogs for RSPCACredit: Array

A source close to the mum of two said: “Since getting out of prison Anne has found work hard to come by but now loves her new job.

“She works five days a week and even goes in on days off. She loves working with dogs.”

Anne fled to Panama with John after he vanished off the coast of Seaton Carew, Durham, in 2002.

 John Darwin faked his own death after struggling with mortgage repayments
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John Darwin faked his own death after struggling with mortgage repaymentsCredit: EPA
 Anne earns £10 an hour in her new roll
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Anne earns £10 an hour in her new rollCredit: Array
 Former jailbird is said to 'love working with dogs'
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Former jailbird is said to 'love working with dogs'Credit: Array
 Anne previously lived in a six-bedroom seafront pad and owned 12 properties with ex-teacher John
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Anne previously lived in a six-bedroom seafront pad and owned 12 properties with ex-teacher JohnCredit: Array

They were caught and Anne was jailed for 6½ years in 2008. She landed the receptionist role after a stint volunteering at the RSPCA’s shop in York.

The source said: “Nobody bothers Anne and she rarely gets recognised. She hates talking about what happened with John and most people have no idea what she did.”

She has also moved into a rented £90-a-week one-bedroom flat near the city.

She used to live in a six-bedroom seafront pad and owned 12 properties with ex-teacher John.

 Anne fled to Panama with John after he vanished off the coast of Seaton Carew, Durham
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Anne fled to Panama with John after he vanished off the coast of Seaton Carew, DurhamCredit: ITV

They came up with the scam after struggling to make mortgage payments.  John, 65, was also jailed for over six years.

Last year he married Mercy May Avila, a Filipina in her 30s. They live in Manila, where he makes £138 a week on a market stall.

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