Tewkesbury Woman Found Guilty of Enslaving Vulnerable Victim for 25 Years
Published 21 January 2026
Highlights
- Amanda Wixon, 56, was found guilty of keeping a woman with learning difficulties as a slave for over 25 years in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
- The victim, referred to as K, was forced to live in squalid conditions, subjected to physical abuse, and denied basic necessities.
- Wixon was convicted of false imprisonment, forced labor, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Gloucester Crown Court.
- Social services had no records of involvement with the victim since the late 1990s, highlighting systemic oversight.
- K has since been rescued and is now living with a foster family, attending college, and rebuilding her life.
In a harrowing case described as having a "Dickensian quality," Amanda Wixon, 56, has been found guilty of keeping a woman with learning difficulties captive for over a quarter of a century. The Gloucester Crown Court heard that Wixon subjected the victim, known as K, to a life of forced labor and abuse in her overcrowded home in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
A Life of Abuse and Deprivation
K, who is now in her 40s, was taken in by Wixon at the age of 16 under the pretense of a short stay. Instead, she remained trapped in the household for 25 years, enduring physical abuse and living off scraps. The court was told that K was regularly beaten, had washing-up liquid squirted down her throat, and bleach splashed on her face. Her head was shaved against her will, and she was forced to secretly wash at night due to restrictions on her movements.
The conditions in Wixon's home were described as squalid, with K's bedroom resembling a "prison cell." At times, the house accommodated up to 13 people, contributing to the unsanitary environment. K suffered from malnutrition and severe dental issues due to years of neglect.
Legal Proceedings and Verdict
Amanda Wixon was convicted of false imprisonment, requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labor, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Judge Ian Lawrie, presiding over the case, emphasized the severity of the offenses, likening them to a "black hole" that K disappeared into for decades. The court noted the absence of medical, dental, and social service records for K since the late 1990s, underscoring a significant lapse in oversight.
Wixon, who was released on conditional bail, is scheduled for sentencing on March 12. When questioned by reporters outside the court, she showed no remorse, denying the accusations and dismissing the severity of her actions.
A New Beginning for the Victim
Since her rescue by police in March 2021, K has been placed with a foster family and is attending college, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her life. The case has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities faced by individuals with learning difficulties and the critical need for vigilant social services.
What this might mean
The conviction of Amanda Wixon raises significant questions about the role of social services and the systemic failures that allowed such abuse to persist unchecked for decades. Legal experts suggest that this case could prompt a review of protocols for monitoring vulnerable individuals, particularly those with learning difficulties. As K rebuilds her life, her story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding measures and the need for ongoing vigilance to prevent similar cases of modern slavery and abuse.
