In a shocking case of prolonged domestic servitude, a woman has been convicted of holding another individual captive and forcing her to work as a "house slave" for more than 25 years at a residence in Gloucestershire.
Decades of Abuse and Imprisonment
Amanda Wixon, aged 56, was found guilty of false imprisonment, requiring forced labour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm following a trial that revealed harrowing details of the victim's ordeal. The abuse began in 1995 when the victim, then just 16 years old, moved into Wixon's home in Tewkesbury. Over the subsequent quarter-century, she endured regular physical assaults and degrading treatment.
Brutal Physical and Psychological Torment
The victim faced severe beatings, including being struck with a broom handle so forcefully that it knocked out her teeth. Further acts of cruelty involved squirting washing-up liquid down her throat, splashing bleach on her face, and repeatedly shaving her head against her will. She was also denied adequate food and basic hygiene, living in conditions described as squalid and overcrowded.
Squalid Living Conditions Resembling a Prison Cell
When police intervened in March 2021, the family home was found to be in a state of extreme neglect. The victim's bedroom was likened to a "prison cell," highlighting the extent of her confinement and deprivation. This environment compounded the psychological trauma of her captivity.
Legal Proceedings and Awaiting Sentencing
Wixon is currently on conditional bail and is scheduled for sentencing on March 12. The conviction underscores the severity of the crimes, which spanned decades and involved systematic abuse and exploitation. This case has drawn attention to issues of domestic slavery and the vulnerabilities that can lead to such prolonged victimisation.
The victim's resilience in surviving such extensive abuse has been noted, with authorities emphasising the importance of vigilance and intervention in cases of hidden exploitation. The legal outcome serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust protections against forced labour and imprisonment within domestic settings.
