Pamela Gwinnett, a 63-year-old fraudster nicknamed the 'Black widow', has arrived at Manchester Airport after being extradited from Tenerife. She failed to appear at court in October 2025 and was sentenced in her absence to six years in prison for fraud by abuse of position and theft.
Extradition and Arrest
Gwinnett attempted to evade justice in Spain, but the National Crime Agency and Spanish Police secured her extradition and arrest earlier this month. She walked from Terminal 3 Arrivals lounge to a police van wearing sunglasses, a leopard print jacket, capri trousers, and gold trainers, accompanied by two armed National Crime Agency officers.
As she emerged, she grinned briefly before her expression turned sombre when she saw cameras. She remained silent when asked if she wished to apologise to her victim's family or if she was concerned about her sentence being lengthened.
The Crime and Victim
Gwinnett positioned herself as the carer of retired accountant Joan Green, exploiting her to steal her life savings during the Covid pandemic. She squandered the money on Botox and extravagant meals while Mrs Green was kept like a captive animal at her home in Chorley, Lancashire.
Gwinnett manipulated the 89-year-old into granting her Lasting Power of Attorney before pilfering the funds. She fabricated accusations against Mrs Green's family, altered locks, and changed the landline number to isolate her. Carers reported Gwinnett 'barking' at the elderly woman and neglecting her care; one physiotherapist said Mrs Green lived like a caged animal.
Sentence and Aftermath
Gwinnett was sentenced to six years in jail in her absence at Preston Crown Court in October 2025. She was also ordered to repay £300,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act. She fled the UK in April 2025 while on bail, despite a judge denying her request to travel to Tenerife to scatter her brother's ashes.
Judge Michael Maher said: "You have treated this process as you did Joan Green with utter contempt." He added: "I sincerely hope that Ms. Gwinnett is extradited back to the UK to serve this sentence for these egregious offences. It is an affront to justice and the rule of law for this Defendant to be allowed to remain in Tenerife."
Gwinnett is due to appear at Preston Crown Court on Friday. PC Georgia Loughton, the investigating officer, said: "I am pleased that Pamela Gwinnett will be returned to the UK where she will serve her sentence. Pamela knowingly defrauded a vulnerable woman out of almost £300,000, cutting off all contact with her family and controlling every aspect of her life."
Mrs Green died in 2022. Loughton added: "Sadly, Joan passed away in 2022, however we hope that the return of Pamela to the UK to serve her sentence gives Joan's family a sense of justice as they look to move on with their lives."
