Amanda Wixon Jailed for Holding Vulnerable Woman Captive and Abusing Her for 25 Years in Tewkesbury UK

In a case that shocked Gloucester and the wider UK, a woman known only as ‘The Witch’, 56-year-old Amanda Wixon, has been sentenced for keeping a vulnerable woman imprisoned as a domestic slave for 25 years.

The victim, who cannot be named, endured years of abuse, deprivation, and forced labor while Wixon profited from her benefits.

The ordeal, which began in the mid-1990s, was described in court as ‘Dickensian’.

The victim, who was just 16 when she was moved into Wixon’s home in Tewkesbury, was confined to a filthy, mouldy room and subjected to beatings, starvation, and psychological torment.

Horrific Abuse Detailed in Court

Court documents revealed the extent of the abuse.

Wixon allegedly forced the victim to clean on her knees, denied her washing facilities and medical care, and even squirted washing-up liquid down her throat.

She reportedly had bleach thrown on her face, was repeatedly beaten, and her head shaved against her will.

The woman’s personal testimony, read in court by prosecutor Sam Jones, described losing 25 years of her life.

She stated, “I am now living with a wonderful family who show me kindness, patience and support.

Their love is helping me slowly rebuild the life that was taken from me and begin to feel safe again. Nothing can give me back the 25 years I lost.”

Exploitation and Financial Abuse

Wixon, a former cleaner and volunteer at Tewkesbury Abbey, had manipulated the victim’s benefits, diverting almost £100,000 over the years to herself.

Police estimate she took around £400 a week intended for the victim.

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Neighbours recall seeing the victim briefly outside, but later Wixon fabricated stories of her moving to Scotland to explain her absence.

Secret voice notes later revealed the victim’s desperate wish to see sunlight and go for walks, often thwarted by bin liners blocking the windows.

Court Proceedings and Verdict

In January, Wixon was found guilty of:

• False imprisonment
• Two charges of forced or compulsory labour
• Four charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm

During her sentencing at Gloucester Crown Court, Wixon showed no emotion as the victim watched proceedings via video link.

Judge Ian Lawrie KC condemned Wixon for her “permanent denial” of the harm inflicted and imposed a significant period of custody for her decades-long abuse.

The judge emphasized Wixon’s awareness of the victim’s vulnerabilities and learning difficulties, describing her actions as opportunistic and deliberate exploitation.

He noted that the victim now requires 24-hour care due to the sustained physical and psychological trauma.

Life After Rescue

Since her rescue in 2021, the victim has begun rebuilding her life with the support of a foster family. She attends college, enjoys holidays, writes poetry, and takes walks in the sunshine, though she continues to experience flashbacks and psychological trauma.

Detective Superintendent Ian Fletcher praised the victim’s resilience but warned that her recovery would be lifelong.

The Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the extraordinary suffering inflicted, noting the decades of control, neglect, and abuse.

Impact and Consequences

The case has far-reaching implications:

• It underscores the vulnerability of individuals with learning disabilities and the need for stronger protections.
• Highlights the risk of domestic slavery and exploitation within seemingly ordinary households.
• Draws attention to the systemic failures in social services that allowed the abuse to continue undetected for decades.
• Sends a legal message that long-term abuse and exploitation will be met with severe sentencing.

What’s Next?

Authorities may use this case to strengthen safeguarding measures for vulnerable adults.

Social services and law enforcement are likely to review monitoring and reporting procedures to prevent similar long-term exploitation.

The victim will continue rehabilitation and will receive long-term care for both physical and psychological injuries.

Summary

Amanda Wixon, dubbed ‘The Witch,’ has been jailed for decades of abuse and exploitation, holding a vulnerable woman captive from her teens into adulthood.

The victim, now 42, is rebuilding her life but continues to suffer the long-term impact of her ordeal.

The case has shone a stark light on the horrors of domestic slavery and the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals.

Key Takeaways

• Amanda Wixon imprisoned and abused a vulnerable woman for 25 years.
• The victim endured beatings, starvation, deprivation of medical care, and forced labor.
• Wixon diverted nearly £100,000 in benefits intended for the victim.
• Wixon was found guilty of false imprisonment, forced labour, and assault.
• The victim now lives with a foster family, attends college, and is rebuilding her life, but suffers ongoing trauma.
• Judge Ian Lawrie KC emphasized the severity of the abuse and imposed a substantial custodial sentence.
• The case highlights systemic vulnerabilities and the need for stronger protections for at-risk individuals.