A woman in Tewkesbury has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for keeping another woman as a “house slave” for 25 years in appalling conditions. Amanda Wixon, a mother of 10, was found guilty of various charges including compulsory labor, false imprisonment, and assault.

The victim, who remained unidentified, penned a note to the court detailing the abuse she endured, expressing gratitude for her newfound supportive family. She described living in fear and control for decades, still haunted by the trauma.

Wixon’s victim was found in her 40s, with bruises and missing teeth, after being rescued by police in March 2021. She had been forced to live in squalid conditions, enduring physical abuse and restricted freedom for years. Additionally, the court heard about the overcrowded and unsanitary state of Wixon’s family home.

Despite denying some charges, Wixon was found guilty of multiple offenses, revealing the extent of the abuse suffered by the victim. Social services had been involved with the family in the past, but failed to intervene effectively, leaving the victim without medical care for decades.

Neighbors described the victim as emaciated, with visible signs of abuse, highlighting the severity of the situation. The court recognized the lasting harm caused by the abuse and emphasized the need for a sentence that reflects the gravity of the crimes committed.