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Carer who fled to Spain after stealing £300k from pensioner to be extradited to UK
🇮🇳 India /Crime & Justice

Carer who fled to Spain after stealing £300k from pensioner to be extradited to UK

From Times of India · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A UK carer, Pamela Gwinnett, who stole nearly £300,000 from an elderly woman and fled to Spain, is set to be extradited to serve a six-year prison sentence.
  • Gwinnett exploited her position as a carer for 89-year-old Joan Green, isolating her and draining her savings before absconding on bail.
  • She was convicted in her absence last October of theft and fraud by abuse of position, and her return is expected to bring a measure of justice to the victim's family.

A British carer who stole nearly £300,000 from an elderly woman she cared for and then fled to Spain is facing extradition to the UK to begin a six-year prison sentence. Pamela Gwinnett, 63, absconded to Tenerife while on bail ahead of her trial for exploiting Joan Green, an 89-year-old retired accountant from Chorley.

Gwinnett has now been arrested in Spain and will be returned to Britain following a joint effort involving the National Crime Agency and the Spanish authorities.

— Greater Manchester PoliceConfirming Gwinnett's arrest and impending extradition.

Gwinnett was convicted in her absence last October of theft and fraud by abuse of position after failing to return to court. Greater Manchester Police confirmed Gwinnett's arrest in Spain, following a joint operation involving the National Crime Agency and Spanish authorities. Her return to Britain is anticipated to provide a measure of justice for Green's family.

Officers hoped Gwinnett's return would bring a measure of justice to Green's family as they continue to rebuild their lives.

— Detective Constable Georgia LoughtonLeading the investigation, expressing hope for the victim's family.

Investigators detailed how Gwinnett abused her position as Green's carer, gradually taking control of the pensioner's finances and isolating her from family members. This manipulation allowed her to drain almost £300,000 from Green's savings. Joan Green passed away in November 2022.

Gwinnett had deliberately manipulated and exploited a vulnerable woman for financial gain.

— Judge Michael MaherDescribing Gwinnett's actions during sentencing.

During sentencing, Judge Michael Maher described Gwinnett's actions as deliberate manipulation and exploitation of a vulnerable woman for financial gain. He stated that Green was treated like "a cash cow" and that the fraud was carried out with "self-assured shamelessness." Gwinnett had spent years gaining Green's trust, isolating her, and enriching herself at the pensioner's expense. The stolen money funded an extravagant lifestyle, including the purchase of a car and luxury treatments. The judge had expressed hope for Gwinnett's return, calling her continued freedom in Tenerife "an affront to justice and the rule of law."

Green was treated like 'a cash cow' and the fraud had been carried out with 'self-assured shamelessness'.

— Judge Michael MaherCharacterizing the nature of the fraud committed by Gwinnett.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of India. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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