Neighbours Express Shock Over 25-Year Home Slavery Case
Residents in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, have revealed they had no idea that a mother-of-ten held a vulnerable woman captive as a slave for 25 years right under their noses. Amanda Wixon, 56, nicknamed "The Witch," was recently jailed for 13 years after her victim endured horrendous abuse from the age of 14, with the case only coming to light in March 2021.
Decades of Torment and Abuse
For more than two decades, the victim, known only as K, now in her mid-40s, suffered frequent beatings and was confined to a tiny, squalid bedroom. Wixon took K in back in 1996 after her own parents had "difficulties," but instead of providing care, she subjected her to a life of servitude. K was forced to take care of Wixon's children and pets, clean the home, and was denied basic needs like food and hygiene.
The abuse included being hit in the face with a broom handle, which led to K losing several teeth, and having her head held down a toilet as it was flushed. K slept on a filthy mattress and was forbidden from using basic appliances like a kettle, living in constant fear and despair.
Neighbours' Reactions and Legal Outcome
Neighbours told The Sun they witnessed other vile behaviour but were unaware of the decades-long slavery. They expressed relief at Wixon's sentencing, with one saying, "I hope this long jail sentence can help to one day give the victim some closure and a sense that justice has been done." Another added that Wixon is a "wicked, wicked witch" who has yet to apologise to her victim.
Wixon was convicted of false imprisonment, two counts of requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour, and four assaults occasioning actual bodily harm. Judge Ian Lawrie KC stated that Wixon was in "permanent denial" about the harm caused and imposed a significant custodial sentence due to the gravity of the offending, which spanned 20 years.
Escape and Aftermath
The horrific situation ended when K managed to make a call for help from a secret phone in March 2021, leading to Wixon's arrest as shown in police bodycam footage. Judge Lawrie emphasised that the enduring trauma of slavery remains for the victim, highlighting the persistent and cruel nature of the crimes over many years.
