'Black widow' carer stole £300k from pensioner to fund her Botox injections

A woman who is being called "the Black Widow" made over £300,000 from a woman she was meant to be caring for. The fraudster has now been ordered to sell her home to repay the money she stole from a pensioner.

Pamela Gwinnett, 62, went to Tenerife after taking the money. The woman took the money from retired accountant Joan Green, 89, after setting herself up as the pensioner's carer.

According to reports, Gwinnett persuaded Joan to appoint her as a Lasting Power of Attorney. Gwinnett spent the money she stole on an Audi Q2, pricey meals and beauty treatments, including Botox.

When she was caught, she denied charges of fraud and theft before fleeing to Tenerife. She was found guilty in her absence by a jury at Preston Crown Court.

Joan was frail and vulnerable at her home in Chorley, Lancashire, where Gwinnett kept her. She tried to stop Joan's family from having contact with her. Gwinnett made accusations against Joan's family and changed the locks in addition to changing the landline phone number.

Gwinnett convinced Joan that her family were stealing her pension. In 2022, Joan died after spending her final years like this. Even after she died, Gwinnett continued to steal from her.

Eventually, Gwinnett's power of attorney was suspended, but by this time, she had already stolen £161,000 from the pensioner.

In her last months, Joan had become increasingly bewildered and confused, the court heard.

Joan had also become incontinent, and, instead of looking after her, Gwinnett bullied her.

Joan's step-daughter Katherine Farrimond, 65, said Joan believed in her final years that her family "hated her" and "didn't want to see her'" because of Gwinnett's "lies."

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Judge Michael Maher made a confiscation order for £350,180.79p, which Gwinnett must pay within three months.

The judge said that Gwinnett's house in Adlington would have to be sold and that the time limit could be extended to allow completion of a sale, should it be required.

If Gwinnett fails to pay the money she owes, she will be liable to 42 months in prison in default of payment.

On October 6 2025, Gwinnett was sentenced to six years in prison for her crimes. Gwinnett has so far avoided justice and she remains in Tenerife.