Family calls for change after carer defrauded pensioner of nearly £300,000 before fleeing to Tenerife

A family is calling for changes to lasting power of attorney regulations after learning how their elderly relative was systematically defrauded of almost £300,000 by a woman she trusted as a friend and helper.

Pamela Gwinnett, who posed as a caring companion to 89‑year‑old Joan Green from Chorley, was been convicted unanimously by a jury of two counts of fraud in October, despite failing to attend her own trial. She is currently believed to be at large in Tenerife, having fled the UK in April 2025 in breach of her bail conditions.

Sentencing her in absence, the judge condemned Gwinnett’s “sustained, sophisticated and callous” exploitation of a vulnerable woman in the final years of her life

A Calculated Betrayal

Joan Green, described by her family as a “lovely woman,” lived at South Lodge on Wigan Lane, Chorley. She and her late husband had worked hard and saved carefully for their old age.

They first met Gwinnett in Morrisons; accepting her offer of help with daily tasks and allowing her into their home. Following the death of Joan's husband, Gwinnett quickly realised Joan was wealthy and began “playing the long game” to isolate her from her family. Within a short time, Joan had made Gwinnett a lasting power of attorney.

However, Joan had also appointed her stepdaughter Katherine Farrimond as a co‑attorney; an obstacle Gwinnett sought to remove.

False Allegations and Manipulation

The judge detailed how Gwinnett made a series of false accusations against Ms Farrimond and Joan’s grandson, David Bolton. She claimed they had groomed her, stolen pension money, taken proceeds from car sales, and neglected Joan over Christmas 2019.

The allegations triggered investigations by Social Services and ultimately, Gwinnett succeeded in having Ms Farrimond removed as power of attorney.

By March 2022, the Court of Protection determined Joan no longer had capacity and suspended Gwinnett’s authority. By then, she had already taken more than £161,000.

But the fraud did not stop.

Five months later, Gwinnett opened a joint bank account in her and Joan's name, transferring the elderly woman’s funds and siphoning off a further £119,000 - both before and after Joan’s death in November 2022. In total, she stole nearly £300,000.

Luxury Spending and Lasting Harm

Gwinnett used the stolen money to fund what the judge described as an “extravagant lifestyle,” including:

• A £22,500 motor vehicle

• Mortgage payments on properties she owned

• Expensive meals

• Beauty and Botox treatments

The emotional impact on Joan’s family has been profound. In a victim statement, Ms Farrimond said they were devastated that Joan, in her confusion, may have believed Gwinnett’s lies—leaving her isolated and lonely in her final years.

The judge also noted that Gwinnett’s interference in the probate process meant two rightful beneficiaries died before receiving their inheritance

Judge: “An Affront to Justice”

Gwinnett was sentenced to six years in prison for the lead fraud offence, with a concurrent four‑year term for the second count. Her sentence was reduced by three months due to her lack of previous convictions.

The judge issued a scathing condemnation of her conduct, saying she had treated both the court and Joan Green “with utter contempt.”

He confirmed that a bench warrant remains active and criticised the fact that Gwinnett has been able to remain in Tenerife since absconding.

“It is an affront to justice and the rule of law for this defendant to be allowed to remain in Tenerife,” he said, directing the Crown Prosecution Service to provide an update by January 2026 on efforts to secure her extradition

Family Calls for Action

The family now believe changes should be made to power of attorney regulations to protect vulnerable people. Joan's grandson David said: "I don't think you should only be able to have one. I think you should have to have a minimum of two people - that's two people that are looking out for you and two people that would have to be fleecing you. There's more chance of being looked after.

"You're letting them help you - not make all of your decisions for you - that only comes into play if you lose capacity."

In a statement, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Joan Green.

“Breaches of trust are very rare but that doesn’t make them any less distressing. The Office of the Public Guardian investigates concerns raised about attorneys and can apply to the court for their removal.”

The family say they hope the authorities will act swiftly to repatriate Gwinnett, so that justice can finally be served for Joan.

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