The row of Victorian houses at The Cliff, in Seaton Carew, County Durham, had panoramic views over the beach and the North Sea coastline.
Married couple Anne and John Darwin lived at No3, The Cliff – a seven-bedroom property with grand rooms and period charm.
They also owned No4 next door, which had been converted into bedsits. It was part of the couple’s property rental business, that included several bedsits across County Durham.
Hartlepool-born John, 51, had been a teacher for 18 years and by 2002, he was working as a prison officer at HM Prison Holme House in Stockton. Anne, 50, was a doctor’s receptionist.
The couple had been married for 30 years and had two sons, Mark, 32, and Anthony, 29.
John drove a Range Rover with a personal number plate and Anne
