UPDATE: A mother of ten, identified as Amanda Wixon, 53, is facing imprisonment after being found guilty of keeping a young girl as a modern-day slave for 25 years in her squalid home in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. The harrowing case has drawn national attention due to its shocking details and the victim’s courageous escape.
Wixon, dubbed “The Witch” by her victim, began holding K captive at the age of 14. During this time, K was forced to perform grueling household chores, care for Wixon’s children, and endure severe physical and emotional abuse. The Gloucester Crown Court revealed that K was only fed leftovers once a day and was prohibited from accessing basic food or even using the kettle.
In a trial described as “Dickensian” by Judge Ian Lawrie KC, evidence showed that K suffered repeated beatings and was subjected to horrifying acts of violence. On one occasion, Wixon held her head in a toilet while flushing it, and K’s dental health deteriorated due to neglect from the abuse. The full extent of K’s plight came to light when she bravely contacted a family member via mobile phone, prompting a police raid in March 2021.
Police officers discovered K in a severely malnourished state, “timid and frightened,” with all her teeth missing. One officer noted her distressing odor from a distance of two meters, a sign of her prolonged neglect. The authorities acted quickly, arresting Wixon on suspicion of neglect.
Wixon was convicted of multiple charges, including requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labor, false imprisonment, and assault. The jury’s decision underscores the gravity of the abuse K endured for over two decades, as she was effectively imprisoned in a crowded house where she was regularly assaulted.
Following her rescue, K has shown remarkable resilience. Social workers report she has gained weight, is now attending lessons in math and English, and even plays football regularly. Her journey from victim to survivor is a powerful testament to her strength and determination.
Neighbors had little knowledge of K’s existence, with many describing Wixon as a “controlling” figure who maintained a façade of normalcy. One local recounted how K was tied and gagged for years, only receiving food once a day. The community is now grappling with the shocking revelation that such abuse took place in their midst.
As Wixon awaits sentencing next month, the community is left to reflect on the horrific circumstances surrounding this case. Local residents have expressed disbelief, stating, “It seems incredible that this could’ve been going on right in the middle of a heavily populated housing estate.”
This developing story continues to highlight the urgent issues of human trafficking and domestic abuse, raising awareness and prompting discussions about the systems in place to protect vulnerable individuals.
Stay tuned as we follow this case and report on the upcoming sentencing, which is expected to shed further light on the judicial response to such egregious violations of human rights.
