Amanda Wixon, a mother of ten from Tewkesbury, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after enduring nearly 26 years of subjecting a vulnerable woman to cruelty and forced labor. The victim, who was just 16 years old when she moved into Wixon’s Priors Park home in 1996, suffered relentless abuse that continued into her mid-40s.
Gloucester Crown Court heard chilling details of the ordeal, including physical violence such as beatings with a broom handle that resulted in lost teeth, and forced humiliations, including having her head shaved against her will. The woman, who now refers to Wixon as “The Witch,” was also subjected to being doused with bleach and forced to swallow washing-up liquid.
The victim’s food was severely restricted, leaving her to survive on scraps, while her freedom was completely revoked—she was never allowed to leave the house and could only wash in secret, at night. She lived in conditions described during the trial as squalid, with her bedroom compared to a prison cell.
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Wixon was convicted on multiple charges including two counts of forced or compulsory labor, false imprisonment, and three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, though she was acquitted of one assault charge. Despite overwhelming evidence, Wixon has remained in denial about the damage she inflicted.
Sentencing Judge Ian Lawrie KC condemned Wixon’s sustained cruelty, highlighting the “persistent trauma” inflicted over decades and describing the case as having a “Dickensian quality.” The victim, who shared a heartfelt note with the court, revealed she lived in constant fear for 25 years and felt her life “did not matter.” Today, she is rebuilding her life with a supportive family.
The case only came to light in March 2021 following a report from one of Wixon’s sons. Despite social services involvement in the late 1990s, no further follow-up occurred. During the trial, Wixon denied all charges and placed blame on her estranged son for the accusations.
This harrowing case exposes a grave abuse of trust and power and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and intervention in cases of hidden abuse.