A caregiver has fled Tenerife after embezzling a substantial amount of money from an elderly pensioner she kept isolated in her residence. Pamela Gwinnett, 62, cut off contact for retired accountant Joan Green, locked her property, and prevented her family from visiting, all in a scheme to steal £296,173.68 from the 89-year-old in Lancashire. Gwinnett, who failed to appear for sentencing, made false reports to social services accusing Mrs. Green’s relatives of theft, which were unsupported and ultimately revealed her exploitation of the pensioner.
Additionally, Gwinnett manipulated Mrs. Green into granting her Lasting Power of Attorney in 2019, granting unrestricted access to her finances. She misused this authority to siphon money from the elderly woman’s accounts for personal expenses like Botox treatments, while neglecting Mrs. Green’s care needs. Despite efforts to revoke Gwinnett’s Power of Attorney, she illicitly opened a joint bank account with Mrs. Green to continue stealing funds.
The stolen sum, saved by Mrs. Green and her deceased husband, was intended for their burial expenses. However, due to Gwinnett’s actions, the couple remains in unmarked graves. Katherine Farrimond, Mrs. Green’s stepdaughter, expressed deep sorrow over the situation, emphasizing Gwinnett’s deceitful actions that caused Mrs. Green to feel unloved and isolated in her final years.
Gwinnett, residing in Adlington, was arrested for fraud and theft, but absconded after being granted bail, attempting to scatter her brother’s ashes in Tenerife. Despite being sentenced to six years in absentia, Judge Maher condemned Gwinnett’s exploitation of Mrs. Green as a means to fund her lavish lifestyle, leading to significant financial losses for the elderly victim.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Gwinnett, with a Proceeds of Crime hearing scheduled for January 23, 2026, to address the financial repercussions of her crimes. The judge has also requested confirmation from the CPS regarding efforts to extradite Gwinnett from Tenerife back to the UK.