Darwin appeared before Hartlepool magistrates this morning charged with obtaining a money transfer by deception and making untrue statements to get a passport.

• More John Darwin stories

The 57-year-old looked tired and dishevelled during the four-minute hearing and spoke only to confirm his date of birth.

He was still wearing the same red hooded top that he had on when he was arrested last week and looked pre-occupied as he was spoken to.

The court heard he is alleged to have claimed £25,000 from Unat Direct Insurance Management on or around May 15, 2003, by falsely representing that he had been killed in an accident on or about March 21, 2002, off the coast of Hartlepool.

He also faced an allegation that he knowingly made an untrue statement to procure a passport on or before October 8, 2003.

John Nixon, defending Darwin, formerly of The Cliff, Seaton Carew, said there will be no indication of plea at this stage and no application for bail.

Sue Jacobs, prosecuting, asked for the case to be transferred to Teesside Crown Court and asked for an adjournment until Friday.

There was an indication that the case could be formally committed to crown court on February 4 next year.

Chairman of the magistrates bench Alan Langshaw adjourned the case until Friday morning and remanded Darwin in custody until then.

His wife, Anne, is still being questioned by police in connection with his disappearance and return.

Further updates about the investigation into her supposed role will appear on this website and in the Mail tomorrow.