A carer dubbed the 'Black Widow' who stole nearly £300,000 from an elderly woman has been sentenced to six years in prison after fleeing to Tenerife. Pamela Gwinnett, 63, plundered the savings of Joan Green, 89, from Chorley, Lancashire, while pretending to care for her during the pandemic.
Gwinnett obtained power of attorney over Ms Green, changed her landline numbers, and sacked her long-term gardener to isolate her. She then used a joint bank account to steal over £296,000, spending the money on Botox, lavish meals, a £22,500 car, and mortgages.
She fled to Tenerife in breach of a court order, claiming she was scattering her brother's ashes. Judge Michael Maher said she had treated the court process with 'utter contempt'. Gwinnett was convicted of fraud and theft in her absence.
Ms Green's family expressed anger that Gwinnett is 'sunning it up' in Tenerife. A confiscation order of £350,180.79 has been made, with a three-month deadline to pay or face an additional three-and-a-half years.
