Justice finally served
The extradition from Tenerife and subsequent imprisonment of Pamela Gwynnett has closed a painful chapter for the family of Joan Green, the 89-year-old retired bookkeeper whose savings were plundered by the former fugitive while she isolated her from loved ones. After being flown back from Spain and sent straight to prison on landing at Manchester Airport to begin a six-year sentence for theft and fraud, the elderly woman’s grandchildren, David and Rebecca Bolton, have spoken to Sky News about the outcome of a case of abuse of vulnerable people that has shocked the British public.
The victim died in 2022 while still under the control of the convicted woman, meaning she never lived to see the legal resolution of the financial fraud committed against her estate. During the interview with the British broadcaster, the family reflected on the ordeal of the legal process and the cold attitude displayed by the accused throughout proceedings after she was tracked down by the British press in the Canary Islands.
‘No remorse whatsoever’
Speaking about the fraudster’s demeanour and the verdict, Rebecca Bolton said the woman showed no reaction at all in court: “It was great to see justice finally being done and her being sent to prison. We now have justice. The fact that she showed no remorse whatsoever… When you met her in Tenerife, she said the family had stolen the money. Again, no remorse whatsoever. When it was proven that hundreds of thousands of pounds were transferred directly to Pamela, she still shows no remorse.”
Asked about the emotional toll the case has taken on the victim’s inner circle over the years, the family stressed: “It has caused us immense stress, upset and pain, on top of the suffering she inflicted on my grandmother, who sadly passed away while under Pamela Gwynnett’s control. Unfortunately, she was not able to see justice done, but we as a family have, and that fills us with satisfaction.”
Four-year international investigation
The process of bringing Gwynnett before the courts was marked by a lengthy four-year international police investigation involving the National Crime Agency (NCA), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Spanish security forces. Speaking about the obstacles encountered during the investigation, David Bolton revealed the shortcomings of the initial local inquiries: “We have been waiting for this for over a year. Four years ago we started this investigation, reporting matters to social services and Lancashire Police. Nothing was done. Greater Manchester Police succeeded, whereas Lancashire Police failed in their attempts to investigate.”
Thanks to those who helped
Finally, the siblings wanted to publicly acknowledge the authorities and reporters who made the capture of the fugitive in Tenerife possible, as well as the response of the public: “We are extremely grateful to Jonathan Ashcroft, George Allorton, Janet Robinson, all of Bolton Police, the team and Sky News for bringing this case to light and raising awareness of the abuse that goes on. These people need to be stopped. We have received a huge amount of public support and it has been great, very comforting.”
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