Pamela Gwinnett, a woman of 62, systematically exploited a vulnerable elderly woman, treating her not as a friend, but as a source of wealth to be drained. The chilling details of her deception have earned her a dark nickname amongst those who know the case: ‘The Black Widow.’
The story unfolded as a calculated betrayal. Gwinnett discovered Joan Green, a former accountant whose husband had been a senior manager at British Aerospace, possessed a comfortable nest egg built through years of diligent work and careful investment. To Gwinnett, however, Joan wasn’t a person, but a “cash cow to be milked dry.”
She skillfully inserted herself into Joan’s life, feigning friendship and benevolence. This was a carefully constructed facade, designed to isolate Joan from her loved ones and gain control. Within a shockingly short time, Gwinnett secured lasting power of attorney, granting her complete authority over Joan’s finances.
The manipulation didn’t stop there. Gwinnett actively sowed seeds of distrust, falsely claiming Joan’s family were stealing her pension. This insidious tactic further severed Joan’s ties to those who genuinely cared for her, leaving her increasingly dependent on her tormentor.
As the Covid-19 pandemic struck, Gwinnett moved Joan into a care home near her own residence, ostensibly for her safety, but in reality, to keep her close and under her control. When lockdown eased, she brought Joan back to her home, but took the drastic step of padlocking the gates and changing the landline number – effectively imprisoning her ‘golden goose.’
During Joan’s final months, her mental state deteriorated, marked by increasing confusion and bewilderment. Yet, Gwinnett continued her relentless plundering, stealing a staggering £161,000 before Joan was deemed to lack the capacity to manage her own affairs. Even then, she found a way to siphon off another £119,000 through a joint account.
The emotional toll on Joan was devastating. Her step-daughter revealed that, in her final years, Joan tragically believed her family hated her and didn’t want to see her – a direct result of Gwinnett’s calculated lies. The damage extended far beyond financial loss; it stole Joan’s peace of mind and fractured her family relationships.
Despite being sentenced to six years in prison in her absence, Gwinnett brazenly attempted to flee justice. She requested permission to travel to Tenerife to scatter her brother’s ashes, a request that was denied. Undeterred, she boarded a plane hours later and remains on the Spanish island, evading authorities.
A Proceeds of Crime Hearing resulted in a confiscation order of £350,180.79, which Gwinnett is required to pay within three months. The judge ordered the sale of her house to cover the debt, and warned that failure to comply could result in an additional 42 months in prison. A compensation order was also made to Joan Green’s estate, a small measure of redress for the immense harm inflicted.
The judge emphasized the rarity of being able to fully recover stolen funds in such cases, highlighting the unusual circumstance that the available amount actually exceeded the proposed confiscation figure. This case serves as a stark warning about the vulnerability of the elderly and the devastating consequences of predatory exploitation.
