A woman who deceived an elderly pensioner out of nearly £300,000 is set to be extradited to the UK after being located and apprehended in Tenerife.
Pamela Gwinnett, known as the ‘Black Widow’, posed as the caregiver of 89-year-old Joan Green, whom she isolated from her family during the pandemic. Gwinnett, 63, exploited Mrs. Green’s trust and coerced her to transfer Power of Attorney, granting control over her finances.
Subsequently, Gwinnett splurged the embezzled funds on various luxuries including Botox treatments, a pricey car, lavish meals, and property mortgages while holding Mrs. Green captive in Chorley, Lancashire. She went as far as making baseless allegations against Mrs. Green’s family and further isolated her by altering locks and phone numbers at her residence.
Following Mrs. Green’s demise in 2022, Gwinnett evaded justice by fleeing to Tenerife in April 2025, flouting a court order that barred her from leaving the country. Despite being convicted in absentia by Preston Crown Court in October the prior year and receiving a six-year prison sentence, she absconded with £300,000 of ill-gotten gains.
Law enforcement agencies, including Greater Manchester Police (GMP), in collaboration with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Spanish authorities, orchestrated the arrest of Gwinnett in Tenerife. PC Georgia Loughton of GMP expressed satisfaction in Gwinnett’s impending return to the UK for serving her sentence.
GMP’s Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley commended the coordinated efforts that led to Gwinnett’s apprehension, emphasizing the commitment to pursue perpetrators who exploit vulnerable individuals. The arrest serves as a step towards justice for Mrs. Green’s family and reinforces the resolve to hold offenders accountable for their actions.
