A woman, Pamela Gwinnett, has been sentenced to six years and two months in prison for defrauding an elderly pensioner, Joan Green, of nearly £300,000 before fleeing to Tenerife to avoid facing charges. Gwinnett, 63, exploited her position as Green’s supposed friend and caregiver during the Covid-19 pandemic, using the victim’s life savings on personal luxuries such as Botox treatments, a high-end car, lavish meals, and property expenses. Unfortunately, Green passed away in 2022.
After absconding to Tenerife in April 2025, Gwinnett was convicted in absentia in October of the same year and extradited back to the UK last week. The judge, Michael Maher, condemned Gwinnett for her actions, likening her exploitation of Green to treating her as a “cash cow.” Gwinnett manipulated Green into granting her Power of Attorney, isolating her from family members by changing locks and phone numbers. Carers who visited Green’s residence reported Gwinnett displaying abusive behavior towards the pensioner and neglecting her basic needs.
Despite efforts by Green’s family to revoke Gwinnett’s Power of Attorney in March 2022, Gwinnett managed to maintain access to Green’s finances through a joint bank account. In total, Gwinnett embezzled £296,173.68, which encompassed the savings of Green and her late husband, Stanley, a former senior manager at British Aerospace.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) collaborated with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Spanish authorities to locate and apprehend Gwinnett in Tenerife. PC Georgia Loughton expressed satisfaction at Gwinnett’s imminent return to the UK for sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of her exploitation of a vulnerable individual. Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley underscored the police’s commitment to pursuing justice for victims of exploitation and crime in the community.