THE man leading the investigation into couple John and Anne Darwin has admitted he is full of sympathy for their sons.
John Darwin was remanded in custody by Hartlepool magistrates on Monday after being charged with two charges of fraud nine days after turning up at a London police station claiming he had no recollection of his whereabouts for the last five-and-a-hal
f years.
On Sunday, his wife, Anne, was arrested on suspicion of fraud as she arrived in Manchester on a flight from Atlanta, Georgia, and has now been charged with deception totalling £162,000.
She is due before magistrates today.
While Det Supt Tony Hutchison, who is leading the investigation, is still trying to piece together what has become a complex case, he does not have reason to believe their sons, Mark, 31, and 29-year-old Anthony, have any involvement.
Det Supt Hutchison said: "They have been duped in what can only be described as a really disgraceful fashion.
"They have been led to believe for the last five years that their father is dead, then he walks back into their lives with apparent amnesia.
"They were elated on Saturday when their father turned up, but within a couple of days as more information came to light, they were left stunned.
"I do feel really, really sorry for them."
Det Supt Hutchinson said Darwin's sons could not identify any event which could have triggered the disappearance, but said police would investigate whether there were financial issues.
Police have been in regular contact with the brothers over the last week to keep them up to date with developments, though after issuing a statement last Wednesday, neither Mark or Anthony have made any further media comment.
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