Imagine being trapped in someone’s home for a quarter-century, forced to clean, beaten regularly, and denied even basic freedoms.
Amanda Wixon, 56, a mother of 10 from Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, has been found guilty of holding a vulnerable woman with learning difficulties captive for over 25 years and treating her as a slave. The victim, now in her 40s, was subjected to horrific abuse including regular beatings, forced labor, starvation, and having bleach splashed on her face. She was finally freed in March 2021 after one of Wixon’s sons called police expressing concerns for her safety.
A quarter-century of hidden abuse
The victim, identified only as “K” for legal reasons, moved into Wixon’s home around 1996 when she was just 16 years old. She came from a troubled family background and had a distant connection to Wixon’s family. What should have been temporary care turned into decades of captivity and exploitation.
By the late 1990s, K essentially disappeared from public view. Prosecutor Sam Jones told Gloucester Crown Court, “By the late 1990s it appears the woman disappeared into a black hole. Not a single meeting that left a record or a single sighting of her outside the house.”
The brutal conditions and abuse
K was forced to perform endless domestic labor in Wixon’s squalid and overcrowded home, which at times housed at least 13 people. Her daily reality included:
Physical abuse:
- Beaten regularly with a broom handle that knocked out her teeth
- Washing-up liquid squirted down her throat
- Bleach splashed on her face
- Her head repeatedly shaved against her will
- Stamped on by Wixon
Living conditions:
- Bedroom described by police as resembling a “prison cell”
- Forced to live off food scraps
- Denied adequate nutrition, leaving her malnourished
- Had to secretly wash herself at night
- Developed large calluses on feet and ankles from constantly being on hands and knees cleaning
Control and isolation:
- Doors and windows kept locked
- Not allowed to leave the house
- No contact with outside world for decades
- No medical or dental care despite severe health issues
The rescue and discovery
On March 15, 2021, police arrived at the Tewkesbury home after one of Wixon’s sons raised welfare concerns. What officers found shocked them.
Detective Sergeant Alex Pockett described the scene: “When the police arrived, the victim had her head held down, it was clear she was extremely scared.” K immediately told officers, “I don’t want to be here. I don’t feel safe. Mandy hits me all the time. I don’t like it.”
Medical examinations revealed the full extent of her suffering. K was malnourished with visible scarring on her lips and face from bleach. A dentist found she would have been in constant agony for years due to untreated dental infections and abscesses.
The trial and conviction
At Gloucester Crown Court, Judge Ian Lawrie noted the “Dickensian quality” of the case. A jury found Wixon guilty of six charges including:
- False imprisonment
- Requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labor (two counts)
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (four counts)
Neighbors testified they went years without seeing the victim, with one describing her appearance as “like something from a concentration camp.”
Wixon’s shocking response
Despite the overwhelming evidence and guilty verdict, Wixon showed no remorse. Released on conditional bail pending sentencing on March 12, she was asked outside court what she had to say to her victim.
“Not a lot,” she replied.
Asked if she was sorry, Wixon said bluntly, “No. I never done it.”
When reporters asked if she was a “monster,” she stopped to light a cigarette and responded, “Say what you think.”
K’s remarkable recovery
Since her rescue in March 2021, K’s transformation has been extraordinary. She now lives with a foster family where she is safe and cared for. She has enrolled in college, traveled abroad on holidays, and is building the life that was stolen from her.
Detective Constable Emma Jackson from Gloucestershire Police said K is “flourishing” and living a healthy life. Senior prosecutor Laura Burgess added, “The progress she has made since being removed from this oppressive environment is a testament to her strength.”
Understanding modern slavery
K’s case highlights the hidden reality of modern slavery in ordinary suburban homes:
| Modern Slavery Indicators | K’s Experience |
|---|---|
| Isolation from community | Not seen outside house for 25 years |
| Forced labor without pay | Made to clean and care for 10 children |
| Physical abuse and threats | Regular beatings, torture |
| Restricted movement | Locked in house |
| Poor living conditions | Prison-like room, squalid home |
| Denial of medical care | Severe dental problems, malnourishment |
The broader issue
Modern slavery remains a significant problem in the UK and worldwide. Victims often have learning difficulties or come from vulnerable backgrounds, making them easier to control and less likely to be noticed by authorities.
Detective Sergeant Pockett emphasized the severity: “The victim was treated horrendously over the 20 years that she was in the address. She wasn’t fed properly. All she wanted to have was long hair. And she was constantly having her hair cut short.”
What happens next
Wixon will be sentenced on March 12, 2026, at Gloucester Crown Court. Given the severity and duration of her crimes, she faces a substantial prison sentence.
Meanwhile, K continues her recovery, supported by professionals and her foster family. Her courage in speaking to police and testifying has ensured justice and potentially prevented others from suffering similar fates.
The takeaway
This case serves as a stark reminder that modern slavery exists in plain sight, often behind closed doors in seemingly ordinary neighborhoods. For 25 years, K suffered unimaginable abuse while neighbors and the community remained unaware. Her eventual rescue and remarkable recovery demonstrate both the resilience of the human spirit and the critical importance of speaking up when something seems wrong.
As authorities emphasized, if you suspect someone is being held against their will or exploited, contact police immediately. It could save a life.
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