THE HUSBAND and wife at the centre of the 'back from the dead' canoeist mystery will spend their Christmas in cells.
John Ronald Darwin, 57, and Anne Catherine Darwin, 55, appeared before Hartlepool Magistrates Court via video link.
The pair appeared before the court in separate hearings lasting only minutes where they spoke only to confirm their names.
Mr Darwin was wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt and appeared to have had a hair cut, while Mrs Darwin was sporting a grey jumper with a pink T-shirt underneath.
Prosecutor Graham Jacobs made an application for them both to be remanded in custody, which was not challenged by either of the Darwin's solicitors.
Mr Darwin's solicitor John Nixon said: "There's not to be an application for bail. I think it's right to say my client would not fail to return to court, but he chooses not to make an application and he's content to be remanded through to January 11."
Mr Darwin is charged with obtaining property by deception and making an untrue statement to obtain a passport. Mrs Darwin is charged with two counts of obtaining money by deception - alleged to have taken place on May 16, 2003, and May 29, 2003.
The first charge relates to a sum of £25,000 while the second charge is in relation to a sum of £137,000.
No pleas were entered and magistrates adjourned both cases until Friday, January 11, when they will both appear before the court again via video link.
After the hearing, Mr Nixon told the press: "He's very anxious about the future and he's just looking forward to it being resolved."
Mrs Darwin has been remanded to Low Newton prison near Durham, while Mr Darwin is believed to be being held at Frankland Prison, also near Durham.
When asked if the couple would be re-united for their forthcoming wedding anniversary, Mr Nixon replied: "It's not possible. They won't do it at the moment."
No bail applications were made on behalf of either of the Darwins, who both currently have no fixed address. The case is expected to be committed to Teesside Crown Court on Monday, February 4.
Mrs Darwin lived at The Cliff, Seaton Carew, for five years after her husband's disappearance in a supposed canoeing accident on March 21, 2002, near their home.
She recently moved to Panama and was arrested earlier this week after returning to England following her husband's unexpected appearance at a London police station.
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