Mother of 10 Sentenced to 13 Years for Decades-Long 'House Slave' Abuse
A mother of 10 children has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for keeping a vulnerable woman as a 'house slave' for 25 years in what a judge described as a case with a 'Dickensian quality'. Amanda Wixon, 56, was convicted of false imprisonment, forced labor, and assault charges at Gloucester Crown Court.
Decades of Torment in Squalid Conditions
The victim, who has learning difficulties, was just 16 years old when she moved into Wixon's home in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire in 1995. She remained there until 2021, enduring what prosecutors called 'a black hole' of abuse and isolation. The woman, now in her mid-40s, was subjected to regular beatings with a broom handle and had washing-up liquid poured down her throat.
Her living conditions were described as more akin to a prison cell than a bedroom, with mould and plaster hanging off the walls. She was forced to live off scraps of food, was not allowed to wash for years, and was prevented from leaving the property. The victim developed calluses on her feet and ankles from constantly being on her knees to clean floors.
Systemic Failure and Complete Isolation
Prosecutor Sam Jones revealed that social services had been involved with the family in the late 1990s, but there were no records of any contact since that time. 'The fact remains that nothing was done by social services,' Mr. Jones told the court. The victim had no medical or dental records for two decades, and had not seen a doctor during that entire period.
Neighbors recalled seeing the victim around a decade ago but were unaware she still lived at the property. One neighbor described her as looking 'like something out of a concentration camp.' Like many in the household, including Wixon herself, the victim had lost many of her teeth due to poor dental hygiene.
The Escape and Aftermath
The victim's ordeal ended in March 2021 when she found a phone and called for help. Police responding to a report from one of Wixon's sons discovered the woman in her squalid conditions. She 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. I haven't washed for years. She doesn't let me.'
Wixon denied all charges against her, 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 convicted of all offences except one assault charge.
Victim's Statement and Judicial Response
In a powerful statement read to the court, the victim wrote: 'For 25 years, I lived in fear, control and abuse. I was treated as though my life, my freedom and my voice did not matter. Although my abuser has now been found guilty, the trauma and the nightmares are something I still carry with me every day.'
She now lives with a foster family and attends college, but continues to experience nightmares about her ordeal. 'I am now living with a wonderful family who show me kindness, patience and support,' she wrote. 'Their love is helping me slowly rebuild the life that was taken from me and begin to feel safe again.'
Judge Ian Lawrie KC told Wixon she was in 'permanent denial' about the impact of her offending. 'The gravity of your offending is so serious that I am imposing a significant period of custody,' he said. 'You are to be punished for a series of offences spanning 20 years. You cruelly and persistently held captive this woman. This false imprisonment ran from her later teens until early 40s.'
The judge emphasized that 'the enduring persistent trauma of that slavery remains' and noted that 'this offending was not isolated and was persistent over many years.' When warned she would face jail time, Wixon responded: 'I know that. Do you think I am stupid?'
The victim concluded her statement with a poignant reflection: 'Nothing can give me back the 25 years I lost. But I hope the court recognises the deep and lasting harm this abuse has caused and delivers a sentence that truly reflects the seriousness of these crimes.'
