It is “outrageous” that a convicted fraudster tracked down by Sky News in Tenerife is still on the run, the Speaker of the House of Commons has said.
Pamela Gwinnett isolated 89-year-old Joan Green from her family during the COVID-19 pandemic, convinced Joan to give her lasting power of attorney, then raided her life savings.
Gwinnett spent almost £300,000 of retired accountant Joan’s money on Botox, expensive meals and mortgages on properties she owned.
She fled to Tenerife and did not attend her trial, but was given a six-year prison sentence in her absence last year for theft and fraud by abuse of position.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who is the local MP for Ms Green’s family, told Sky News: “Here she was, found guilty, sentenced to six years.
“What a way to have your sentence, in the sun in Tenerife! Lap of luxury.
“Living in an apartment, taking the sun every day, going out for meals.”
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He added: “People will be asking – why? I’m also asking why. That extradition order needs to take place now. Enough is enough. Let’s get on with it.”
The Speaker said he fears there could be other victims out there.
“My worry is, how many others have also lost money in the same way?” he said.
He added: “She was a master of manipulation of vulnerable people. So please, if there are other people out there, do come forward. I don’t think this is a one-off. I hope it is, but I suspect not.”
Joan, from Chorley, Lancashire, died in 2022.
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Gwinnett, 63, fled to Tenerife in breach of her bail conditions while awaiting trial and has been living in a picturesque seaside apartment in the south of the island for the last 11 months.
When Sky News caught up with her, despite her conviction, she claimed Joan’s family had taken the money, adding: “They have made me a scapegoat.”
The Speaker said it was “appalling” that Lancashire Police had initially dismissed Joan’s family’s concerns as a civil matter.
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When presented with the same evidence – gaping holes in Joan’s bank accounts – Greater Manchester Police launched a criminal investigation.
Lancashire Police said: “We can confirm that in March 2023 we were contacted in relation to an allegation of fraud.
“Our handling of that allegation is currently subject to an ongoing complaint which is with our Professional Standards Department and for that reason it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time.”
The Speaker thanked Sky News for our investigation into Gwinnett.
“These people are scamming vulnerable people,” he said. “Without you, we wouldn’t be highlighting this case nationally and internationally”.
