A woman has been sentenced to six years and two months in prison for swindling almost £300,000 from an 89-year-old pensioner and fleeing to Tenerife. Pamela Gwinnett, 63, was found guilty of theft and fraud for exploiting Joan Green, a resident of Lancashire, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Gwinnett manipulated Ms. Green, treating her as a source of money to fund luxuries like Botox treatments, a pricey car, lavish meals, and property expenses.
After Ms. Green’s death in 2022, Gwinnett absconded to Tenerife in April 2025 while facing trial. She was convicted in her absence in October of the same year and recently extradited back to the UK. Judge Michael Maher criticized Gwinnett for evading justice and exploiting Ms. Green’s trust, labeling her actions as contemptible.
Dubbed the “Black Widow,” Gwinnett coerced Ms. Green into granting her Power of Attorney, enabling her to control the elderly woman’s finances. She further isolated Ms. Green by changing locks and phone numbers at her residence, preventing family contact. Caregivers reported witnessing Gwinnett mistreating Ms. Green and neglecting her basic needs.
Despite the family revoking Gwinnett’s Power of Attorney in March 2022, she established a joint bank account with Ms. Green, allowing continued access to funds. Gwinnett embezzled a substantial sum of £296,173.68, which Ms. Green and her deceased husband had saved over the years.
Greater Manchester Police collaborated with the National Crime Agency and Spanish authorities to arrest Gwinnett in Tenerife. Investigating officer PC Georgia Loughton commended the efforts to bring Gwinnett to justice, acknowledging the harm inflicted on Ms. Green and her family. Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley emphasized the police’s dedication to holding perpetrators like Gwinnett accountable and protecting vulnerable individuals in the community.
