Mother-of-Ten Found Guilty of Enslaving Woman for Over 25 Years
A shocking case of modern slavery has emerged from Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, where a woman with learning difficulties was held captive and forced to work as a 'house slave' for more than a quarter of a century. Amanda Wixon, aged 56, was convicted at Gloucester Crown Court for her role in this horrific abuse, which spanned from 1995 until 2021.
Decades of Imprisonment and Abuse
The victim, now in her 40s, was trapped in Wixon's overcrowded and filthy home in the Priors Park area. During this time, she endured regular beatings and was subjected to brutal assaults, including being hit with a broom handle that knocked out her teeth. In a particularly cruel act, washing-up liquid was squirted down her throat, and bleach was splashed on her face. Her head was repeatedly shaved against her will, adding to her torment.
Living conditions were described as squalid, with mouldy walls, plaster hanging loose, and rubbish littering the back garden. The victim survived on scraps of food and was not allowed to wash, doing so secretly at night. Her benefits were paid into Wixon's bank account from the late 1990s, resulting in a considerable financial gain for the perpetrator over the years.
A 'Prison Cell' Existence
Police officers, alerted by one of Wixon's sons in March 2021, found the victim's bedroom resembling a 'prison cell'. The woman told authorities, 'I don't want to be here. I don't feel safe. Mandy hits me all the time. I don't like it. I haven't washed for years. She doesn't let me.' Neighbours recalled seeing her as a child but had not spotted her for a decade, with one describing her as 'all skin and bone' with a shaved head, likening her appearance to something from a concentration camp.
Systemic Failures and Legal Proceedings
Prosecutor Sam Jones highlighted that social services were involved in the late 1990s, but no records existed of any contact thereafter. The victim had no medical or dental records for two decades, with Jones stating, 'By the late 1990s it appears the woman disappeared into a black hole.' This lack of oversight allowed the abuse to continue unchecked.
Wixon denied charges including false imprisonment, forced labour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The jury acquitted her of one assault charge but found her guilty on the others. Her defence argued the case was a 'tale of fantasy and lies' and suggested neglect rather than abuse, noting the whole family lived in similar squalor.
Aftermath and Sentencing
Judge Ian Lawrie KC remarked on the 'Dickensian quality' of the story, as the victim had left her own dysfunctional family only to face this ordeal. She now lives with a foster family, attends college, and has been on holidays abroad. However, she suffers from nightmares and a compulsion to clean constantly as a result of her trauma.
Amanda Wixon was released on conditional bail and is scheduled for sentencing on 12 March. This case underscores the urgent need for vigilance against modern slavery and highlights failures in social care systems that allowed such prolonged abuse to occur.
