In a case that has sent shockwaves across the nation, a mother-of-ten from Tewkesbury has been convicted for enslaving a woman with learning disabilities over a quarter of a century, exposing her to horrific abuse and deprivation. Amanda Wixon, 56, was found guilty this week of multiple offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, false imprisonment, and requiring forced labour, after keeping her victim captive in a mouldy, damp room within her home.
Decades of Cruelty and Control
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was lured to Wixon's home at the age of 16 under the pretence of a sleepover, with the promise of friendship as Wixon was acquainted with her mother. Instead of returning home, she was trapped in a nightmarish existence, forced to work as a domestic servant for Wixon and her large family. Prosecutors detailed how she was repeatedly assaulted, denied food, and subjected to inhumane living conditions, with her head forcibly shaved on multiple occasions.
Squalid Conditions and Denied Basic Hygiene
One of the most distressing aspects of the case was the victim's complete lack of access to basic hygiene. She was banned from washing for over a year, despite being forced to run baths for Wixon and her children. When police finally rescued her in 2021, she was found in a room described as one of total squalor, visibly unwashed, thin, and terrified. Bodycam footage shown in court captured her heartbreaking state, as she timidly told officers, "I don't want to be here. I don't feel safe. Mandy hits me all the time. I haven't washed for years. She doesn't let me."
Financial Exploitation and Unrepentant Attitude
Wixon further compounded the abuse by cashing in her victim's benefits, stealing thousands of pounds over the years. Throughout the trial, she remained unrepentant, denying all allegations despite overwhelming evidence. The court heard that the victim escaped in her 40s, bearing physical scars such as bruises, calluses from relentless cleaning on her hands and knees, and a complete lack of teeth, all testament to the prolonged suffering she endured.
Systemic Failures and Long-Term Trauma
Neighbours reported that the victim had been reduced to "looking like something out of a concentration camp" due to the cruelty inflicted upon her. Shockingly, one neighbour revealed that social services had been contacted about the family in the past, but no action was taken. It was ultimately one of Wixon's sons who alerted the police, leading to the rescue. Dr Ruth Tully, a Consultant Forensic Psychologist, commented on the case, noting that perpetrators often target vulnerable individuals, slowly normalising abuse until it becomes extreme, with long-lasting trauma for the victim.
Sentencing and Justice Ahead
Judge Ian Lawrie KC has told Wixon that a jail term is "a certainty", as she was released on conditional bail ahead of her sentencing hearing scheduled for March. The victim, now free, faces an arduous journey of recovery, with experts emphasising the need for extensive support to heal from the psychological and physical wounds inflicted over decades. This appalling case underscores critical issues around safeguarding vulnerable adults and the devastating impact of prolonged abuse and exploitation.
