Amanda Wixon Sentenced for Captivity
Amanda Wixon, 56, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for keeping a woman captive for over 25 years in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. The victim, who was only 16 when she was first held by Wixon, endured severe abuse and was forced to live in what has been described as ‘Dickensian conditions.’
The victim was discovered by police in March 2021 after a tip-off, revealing a harrowing situation where she was not allowed to leave the house and was subjected to physical assaults, including beatings and having bleach poured on her face. During her captivity, she lived off scraps and was forced to wash secretly at night.
Wixon’s actions resulted in the victim’s benefit money, totaling £100,000, being paid into Wixon’s account, further illustrating the extent of the control Wixon exerted over her. The victim has since been receiving support from a foster family and has gone on three holidays since her rescue, marking a significant change from her previous life.
In court, the judge noted the ‘Dickensian quality’ of the victim’s situation, highlighting the severe neglect and abuse she suffered. The victim expressed her anguish, stating, “For 25 years I lived in fear, control and abuse. I was treated as though my life, my freedom and my voice did not matter.” This statement underscores the psychological impact of her ordeal.
There are growing calls for social services to explain why the victim was not rescued earlier, as it took five years for the case to reach court after her discovery. A carer who has been supporting the victim remarked, “I think social services should be more alert and then maybe no one else will go through what she has been through.” This sentiment reflects a broader concern regarding the effectiveness of social services in protecting vulnerable individuals.
Sam Jones, another advocate for the victim, stated, “The fact remains that nothing was done by social services,” emphasizing the systemic failures that allowed Wixon’s abuse to continue for so long. The case has drawn attention to the issue of modern slavery, with reports indicating that there were 6,600 reported victims of modern slavery in 2025.
As the victim begins to rebuild her life, the community remains vigilant, hoping that lessons will be learned from this tragic case to prevent future occurrences of similar abuse. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further actions or changes in social service policies following this case.
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