A DORSET woman is struggling to come to terms with news that her brother, who was believed to have drowned at sea 15 years ago, is alive and well.

Jean Shinn broke down at her home in Ferndown after discovering that father-of-four Walter Dominy is living in France.

A national newspaper tracked down Mr Dominy, whose fake suicide mirrors that of canoe man John Darwin, after his eldest daughter broke her silence.

Mr Dominy, now 71, vanished after selling his printing firm in Verwood and moving his family to Kilkenny, Ireland, where he set up a new business which went bust.

When he disappeared aboard the Rosslare to Fishguard ferry in October 1993, he owed £200,000 to banks, creditors and the taxman.

Police found his red Fiesta van on the car deck, together with his passport, keys and a suicide note to his wife Margaret, which said: "Goodbye, I can't go on."

It has now emerged that Margaret, 64, forgave him when he got in touch three months after apparently leaping off the ferry into the Irish sea. She then joined Mr Dominy in hiding. The couple's four children were sworn to secrecy.

Mr Dominy began a new life at the age of 56 after stealing the identity of an ex-neighbour and is now reported to be receiving three state benefits.

His mother died in a nursing home seven years ago still believing her son had taken his own life.

Speaking at her home, his shocked sister said: "The police checked CCTV footage of everyone coming of the boat and he wasn't here. I just can't believe this is true."

Her husband Deryck said: "My wife writes the anniversary of her brother's death in her diary every year. We are shocked beyond belief. It's like John Darwin - but this has gone on a lot longer."