The foster carer of a woman held in servitude for 25 years by Amanda Wixon has urged a formal inquiry into how authorities failed to intervene sooner. Amanda Wixon, a 56-year-old mother of ten from Tewkesbury, was sentenced to 13 years in prison following revelations of prolonged abuse.
The victim, now in her mid-40s and living with a learning disability, was taken into Wixon’s home at age 16 in 1995. Over the next quarter century, she endured severe physical and psychological torment. She was repeatedly beaten—often with a broom handle—resulting in the loss of teeth. Abusers forced washing-up liquid down her throat, doused her face with bleach, and shaved her head against her will. Her food was severely restricted, she was confined indoors, and forced to wash herself under the cover of night.
Since escaping in 2021, the survivor has found refuge with a foster family described by her as “wonderful.” Speaking at the sentencing hearing on March 12, she expressed gratitude for the love helping her rebuild a shattered life: “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.”
READ MORE: Residents of Cotswolds Village Frustrated by Celebrity-Fueled Parking Chaos
Her foster mother has called for a thorough investigation into how such prolonged neglect by social services and authorities occurred. “I find it appalling they let this slip through the cracks for decades,” she said. “There needs to be a system-wide shake-up to prevent anyone else suffering like this. Even after removal, she was placed in an unsafe situation that caused further trauma.”
Wixon was convicted of multiple serious offences, including false imprisonment, forced labour, and assault resulting in actual bodily harm. She was acquitted on one assault charge. A Gloucestershire County Council spokesperson praised the victim’s courage in seeking help and confirmed a review involving all agencies will take place to enhance safeguarding measures.
The foster mother emphasized the victim’s profound fear of Wixon remains. The survivor recently encountered her abuser unexpectedly in a supermarket, triggering a panic attack. “She called her ‘The Witch’ and was petrified,” her foster mother explained. “It was a horrific moment, and she was visibly shaken.”
Evidence during the trial showed social services had minimal involvement with the Wixon family after the late 1990s, despite past contact. The victim attempted to disclose her situation on one occasion but felt dismissed. The foster carer insists early intervention could have spared years of suffering. “They need to act decisively to ensure this never happens again,” she said.