Full Breakdown
Amanda Wixon Sentenced for 25 Years of Enslavement
3/14/2026, 1:29:00 PM
Overview of the Case
Amanda Wixon, a 56-year-old mother-of-10 from Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for keeping a vulnerable woman as a "house slave" for over 25 years. The victim, who was just 16 years old when she moved into Wixon's home in 1995, endured severe abuse, including physical violence, forced labor, and deprivation of basic needs, until her rescue in 2021.
Details of Abuse
During a 13-day trial at Gloucester Crown Court, evidence revealed the horrific conditions in which the victim lived. She was subjected to regular beatings, including being struck with a broom handle, which resulted in her losing teeth. Wixon also forced her to consume food scraps, prevented her from leaving the house, and made her wash in secret at night. The victim documented her ordeal using a concealed mobile phone, recording audio notes that detailed her suffering.
The court described the living conditions as squalid, with the victim confined to a damp, mouldy bedroom likened to a "prison cell." Bodycam footage from police revealed the victim's unkempt appearance and her admission of not having bathed for over a year. Neighbors reported seeing her in a malnourished state, with one describing her as looking like "something out of a concentration camp."
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Wixon was convicted of multiple charges, including false imprisonment, two counts of requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labor, and four counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. She was acquitted of one assault charge. Despite her conviction, Wixon maintained her innocence throughout the trial, attributing blame to her estranged son for the allegations against her.
On March 12, 2023, Wixon was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Judge Lawrie noted her "permanent denial" regarding the impact of her actions on the victim. Wixon's defense claimed she had acted out of a misguided sense of care for the victim, who has a learning disability.
Criticism and Community Response
The case has drawn significant public attention and outrage, highlighting issues of modern slavery and the failures of social services. Reports indicated that social services had been involved with Wixon's family in the late 1990s, but there was no record of contact since then. Critics have raised concerns about the systemic failures that allowed such abuse to continue unchecked for decades.
Verbatim Quotes
- “She was kept in and prevented from leaving the address and she was assaulted and hit many, many times and forced to work with the threats of violence.” — Sam Jones, Prosecutor
- “Not a lot.” — Amanda Wixon, in response to a question about her victim after her conviction.
Conclusion
The case of Amanda Wixon serves as a stark reminder of the realities of modern slavery and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals. As Wixon begins her prison sentence, the community continues to grapple with the implications of her actions and the systemic failures that allowed such abuse to persist for so long.