A woman who endured 25 years as a “house slave” delivered a poignant message following the harrowing mistreatment she faced.
Amanda Wixon, aged 56, subjected a woman to a quarter-century of abuse in her squalid residence in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. The victim, now in her mid-40s, moved in with the mother of ten back in 1995 at the age of 16 and remained there until 2021. In court, it was revealed that the victim, now referring to Wixon as ‘The Witch,’ endured frequent beatings and was struck with a broom handle, resulting in the loss of teeth.
During the sentencing at Gloucester Crown Court where Wixon received a 13-year jail term, a heartfelt letter penned by the victim while in captivity was read out. In the letter, she expressed, “For 25 years, I lived in fear, control, and abuse. I was made to feel as though my life, freedom, and voice held no significance.”
The victim continued, “Although my abuser has been convicted, the trauma and nightmares still haunt me daily. I am now embraced by a supportive and compassionate family who are aiding me in reconstructing the life that was taken from me, allowing me to feel safe again. While nothing can restore the lost 25 years, I hope the court acknowledges the profound and enduring harm caused by this abuse and delivers a sentence that truly reflects the gravity of these crimes.”
The court learned about the appalling conditions the victim endured at the hands of the mother of ten, including being forced to ingest washing-up liquid, having bleach splashed on her face, and being deprived of adequate sustenance. She was subjected to meager food portions, forbidden to leave the house, and compelled to bathe covertly at night. The family’s residence in the Priors Park area of Tewkesbury was overcrowded and in deplorable conditions, with visible mold on the walls and garbage strewn in the yard.
Wixon was found guilty by a jury on charges of false imprisonment, forcing a person into labor, and multiple counts of assault causing bodily harm. She was acquitted of one assault charge. Police were alerted to the situation in March 2021 following a report made by one of Wixon’s sons. Upon inspection, officers described the victim’s room as resembling a “prison cell,” with other bedrooms in disarray and unclean.
Neighbors described the victim as appearing emaciated, with one likening her to a survivor of a concentration camp and another witnessing her being physically assaulted with a broom. Social services had engaged with the family in the late 1990s, but no records of subsequent interactions were found. It was also revealed that Wixon had fraudulently claimed the victim’s state benefits for many years, amassing at least £100,000.
Despite denying all charges and shifting blame to her estranged son, Clint, Wixon was held accountable by the court. The presiding judge remarked that Wixon remained in “permanent denial” regarding the impact of her actions on the victim.
