Mother-of-Ten Convicted for Enslaving Woman with Learning Difficulties for Over Two Decades
In a harrowing case of modern slavery, a woman with learning difficulties was held captive as a "house slave" for more than 25 years in a squalid Tewkesbury home. Amanda Wixon, 56, was found guilty of false imprisonment, forced labour, and assault after a trial at Gloucester Crown Court, exposing a prolonged period of abuse and neglect that went undetected by authorities.
Decades of Captivity and Abuse in Overcrowded Home
The victim, now in her 40s, was trapped in Wixon's overcrowded and filthy residence in the Priors Park area from 1995 until 2021. During this time, she endured regular physical assaults, including being beaten with a broom handle, which knocked out her teeth, and having washing-up liquid squirted down her throat. Her head was repeatedly shaved against her will, and bleach was splashed on her face, leaving her with visible scars and calluses from forced cleaning on her hands and knees.
Living conditions were described as dire, with mouldy walls, plaster hanging loose, and rubbish littering the back garden. The woman survived on scraps of food and was prohibited from leaving the property or even washing, resorting to secretive hygiene practices at night. Police, alerted by one of Wixon's sons in March 2021, likened her bedroom to a "prison cell," noting the general untidiness and filth throughout the house.
Systemic Failures and Disappearance from Records
Prosecutor Sam Jones highlighted alarming gaps in social services and medical oversight. Despite involvement with the family in the late 1990s, no records existed of contact thereafter, and the victim had no medical or dental records for two decades. Jones stated, "By the late 1990s, it appears the woman disappeared into a black hole," emphasising her complete isolation and lack of external sightings.
Financial exploitation was also uncovered, with the victim's benefits payments diverted into Wixon's bank account since the late 1990s, amounting to a "considerable sum" over the years. Neighbours recalled seeing the victim as a child but were unaware she still resided there, with one describing her as "all skin and bone" and resembling "something out of a concentration camp."
Legal Proceedings and Defence Claims
Wixon denied charges of false imprisonment, forced labour, and assault, with her defence lawyer, Edward Hollingsworth, dismissing the allegations as a "tale of fantasy and lies." He argued the case was one of neglect rather than abuse, pointing to the squalid living conditions affecting all family members, including Wixon's own children, who suffered from poor health and lack of schooling.
However, the jury convicted Wixon on multiple counts, acquitting her only of one assault charge. Judge Ian Lawrie KC remarked on the "Dickensian quality" of the story, noting the victim's escape from a dysfunctional family only to face further torment.
Aftermath and Recovery for the Victim
Since her rescue, the victim has been placed with a foster family, attends college, and has enjoyed holidays abroad. Yet, the trauma persists, manifesting in nightmares and a compulsive need to clean constantly. Wixon has been released on conditional bail, with sentencing scheduled for 12 March, as the case underscores ongoing challenges in combating modern slavery and protecting vulnerable individuals in the UK.
