Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has called for the extradition of Pamela Gwinnett, a convicted fraudster who fled to Tenerife after stealing nearly £300,000 from 89-year-old pensioner Joan Green. Gwinnett was sentenced to six years in prison last year in absentia for theft and fraud by abuse of position but has remained at large on the Spanish island.
Conviction and Flight to Tenerife
Pamela Gwinnett was found guilty of isolating Joan Green during the COVID-19 pandemic, obtaining lasting power of attorney, and misappropriating the pensioner’s life savings. She spent the stolen funds on Botox, expensive meals, a £22,500 car, and paying off mortgages on her own properties. Gwinnett breached her bail conditions and avoided attending her trial by fleeing to Tenerife, where she has lived for the past 11 months in a seaside apartment.
Calls for Swift Extradition and Police Response
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who represents Ms. Green’s local constituency, condemned Gwinnett’s situation in Tenerife as “outrageous” and demanded immediate action on the extradition order. He expressed concern that Gwinnett may have defrauded others, urging any additional victims to come forward. The Speaker criticized Lancashire Police for initially treating the case as a civil matter, noting that Greater Manchester Police later launched a criminal investigation when presented with clear evidence of fraud.
Fraudster Denies Charges Despite Conviction
Despite her conviction, Gwinnett told Sky News she was made a “scapegoat” and claimed that Joan Green’s family had taken the money, a claim that contrasts with the court’s findings. Lancashire Police confirmed an ongoing professional standards review of their initial handling of the fraud allegation. Meanwhile, Sir Hoyle thanked investigative journalists for exposing the case and highlighted the broader issue of scams targeting vulnerable individuals.
For more stories on this topic, visit our category page.