A woman dubbed 'the black widow' has been jailed after stealing almost £300,000 from an elderly woman. Pamela Gwinnett, 63, was on the run in Tenerife after scamming Chorley-based Joan Green.
How the scam unfolded
Gwinnett posed as a carer with Mrs Green's best interests at heart, worming her way into the pensioner's luxury bungalow. She then isolated the frail widow from her family, changed the locks, and switched the landline, telling lies about relatives who tried to reach her.
She used Mrs Green as 'her own personal cash cow', spending on Botox, lavish meals, and a luxury car. When arrested, she fled to Tenerife, evading justice for 16 months before appearing at Preston Crown Court in a leopard print bomber jacket.
Family's relief and criticism
Mrs Green's grandson, David Bolton, said: "We are just relieved. We are very happy to finally see her in the dock and sent off to prison. It's been a long time coming."
Gwinnett's barrister cited 'fear, anxiety and mental health issues' for her escape, but Mr Bolton said: "She has never apologised once. She's shown no remorse whatsoever through any of this. Regards her anxiety, that comes with committing crimes and getting caught."
Sentencing and additional penalty
In October 2025, Judge Michael Maher sentenced Gwinnett, of Greenfield Road, Adlington, to six years for theft and fraud by abuse of position. At a later hearing, he added two months after she pleaded guilty to a bail act offence.
Judge Maher noted Gwinnett's mental health claims were contradicted by her ability to travel abroad. He said she applied to vary bail to scatter her brother's ashes, but no evidence of a brother existed. On April 2, conditions banned her from travelling and required surrendering passports. Five hours after the court refused her application on April 8, she boarded a plane to Tenerife using another passport.
Impact and recovery
Speaking outside court, Mr Bolton said: "My nan unfortunately died under Pamela Gwinnett's control. Hopefully she didn't believe the lies that Pamela was feeding her. She'll never get justice but we as a family can get on with moving on with the rest of our lives."
Gwinnett was ordered to pay £350,180 to Mrs Green's family under the Proceeds of Crime Act, with property seized to recover the money.
