The Filipina wife of a British gangster facing life behind bars for allegedly running a brutal underworld empire has spoken out to defend him.

Khanary Jane Abejo, 23, said she fell in love with Darren Wall, 44, shortly after he moved to Manila, the Philippines, around four years ago and they had a child together.

She lived the high life in a gated home in an affluent area of the capital called the Better Living neighborhood while shopping for designer clothes and visiting five-star resorts with friends.

In social media posts, Khanary, a former bar girl, posted pictures of chunks of cash and her luxury make-up products.

However, her relationship is said to have become toxic with neighbours complaining about the couple arguing and Darren becoming abusive.

The attractive young wife was arrested alongside Darren in a nightclub in Manila last week in the early hours of March 23 after he allegedly brandished a gun and attacked revellers.

Darren was wrestled to the ground by six cops and reportedly found with six grams of cocaine and a 9mm Beretta pistol before being detained in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Following the arrest, police claim to have uncovered evidence that the Brit from the East End of London was running a brutal gangland racket in the capital, including in the notorious Makati red-light district, where he allegedly dealt drugs and attacked victims refusing to pay protection money.

He inflicted a reign of terror with a team of round-the-clock bodyguards protecting him while paying corrupt police to turn a blind eye to kidnapping, extortion, drug dealing, assault, criminal damage and threats to kill, alleged victims claim.

Khanary, who was arrested for allegedly obstructing police, was also detained in custody. Speaking from the facility shared with other females, she said that Darren had been defending her when a fight started that lead to his arrest.

She said: 'He's good to me. He doesn't hurt me. In the nightclub there was a man who pushed me. My husband was angry. My husband had an argument with him and that's how the fight started. I didn't know he had a gun. I didn't see that.'

Asked about Darren's alleged reign of terror attacking locals, she said: 'I don’t know about that. I don’t go to bars with him. I stay at home.

'We have one child together and Darren's good to me.'

In a video of Darren inside his cramped cell, he is surrounded by violent inmates from China, Vietnam and the Philippines. He appears to be holding an injured arm and repeatedly refuses to answer questions. He denies any wrongdoing.

When his wife - who is also in custody - appears off-screen, he says: ‘What’s all this stuff they’re talking about? You’re getting bad information. I haven’t been hurting no one. They attacked me.’

In a video that has since emerged from Wall’s office, he is seen holding two semi-automatic handguns while saying: ‘I’m going looking for them tonight.’

He loads a magazine into the clip and says: ‘What about this little baby? You beauty.’
The alleged gangster then growls: ‘Which one they want?’

Officers are now interviewing other alleged victims and witnesses while preparing the case against Darren before it comes before a court.

Darren could also be deported back to the UK if cops in the Philippines find there are cases pending against him.

Police Colonel Michael Villanueva, District Chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said Wall is facing a life sentence of 18 years without parole if he is found guilty of drug dealing and possessing a handgun.

He said: 'We conducted a record check and found out that he is facing a fraud charge according to Interpol records. We also have information that he is involved in scamming in other countries.

'We will be coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration regarding his deportation and also we will check his records.'