A woman in England has been convicted of modern-day slavery and assault offenses after authorities proved she held a vulnerable teenage girl captive in her home for more than two decades, forcing her to work without pay and subjecting her to extreme abuse.
Amanda Wixon, 56, was found guilty this week by a jury at a crown court in Gloucestershire of multiple charges, including forced or compulsory labor, false imprisonment, and repeated physical assault.
Prosecutors said Wixon kept the victim confined inside her home from the age of 16 until the woman’s rescue in 2021, forcing her to perform constant domestic labor while denying her food, medical care, freedom, and basic dignity.
Years of Captivity and Abuse
According to investigators, the victim—who has learning disabilities—moved into Wixon’s home in 1996 after Wixon assumed responsibility for her care. Instead of providing support, authorities said Wixon exploited the teenager and turned her into a domestic servant for herself and her 10 children.
For more than 20 years, the victim was locked inside the home, prevented from leaving, and forced to clean floors, prepare children for school, bathe family members, and perform other household tasks under constant threat of violence.
Police said the woman was often made to spend hours on her knees scrubbing floors and sweeping. She was typically allowed just one meal a day, often scraps or leftovers, and sometimes hid food to eat in secret when she was hungry.
Despite receiving government benefits on the victim’s behalf for years, prosecutors said Wixon kept the money for herself while the victim lived in extreme poverty and wore discarded clothing.
Severe Physical and Psychological Harm
Authorities described a pattern of sustained and severe abuse. The victim told police she was regularly beaten, strangled, stomped on, and struck with household objects. At times, Wixon allegedly forced the victim’s head into a toilet, poured cleaning chemicals onto her face and into her mouth, and shaved off her hair against her will.
The abuse caused lasting injuries. Medical examinations revealed scarring around the victim’s mouth consistent with chemical exposure, calluses on her ankles consistent with prolonged kneeling, and extensive untreated dental damage. By the time she was rescued, she had lost all of her teeth.
Doctors said she would have suffered severe pain for years due to untreated infections and abscesses.
Discovery and Rescue
The abuse came to light in March 2021 after the victim secretly used a hidden cell phone to ask someone she knew for help. Police were also alerted by one of Wixon’s sons, who reported concerns about the woman’s welfare.
When officers arrived at the home late that evening, they found the victim malnourished, frightened, and visibly neglected. She was taken to receive immediate medical and dental care.
Court Ruling and Aftermath
Prosecutors described the case as one of extreme exploitation and control, calling it a clear example of modern-day slavery. The jury convicted Wixon on all counts after hearing extensive testimony and reviewing evidence of the living conditions inside the home.
Law enforcement officials praised the victim’s courage in seeking help, noting that she risked serious retaliation if discovered. Authorities said she has since been removed from the abusive environment and is now rebuilding her life with appropriate support.
Wixon was released on bail following the verdict and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 12. She has denied the allegations throughout the proceedings.
Officials said the case serves as a stark reminder that human trafficking and forced labor can occur behind closed doors, even within private homes, and urged the public to report concerns involving vulnerable individuals.