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A mother of ten, Mandy Wixon, aged 56, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after being found guilty of enslaving a vulnerable woman for 25 years. The victim, a woman in her mid-40s with a learning disability, was held captive in Wixon’s home in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, where she was subjected to horrific abuse and forced labor. During the trial, it was revealed that the victim endured physical assaults and inhumane treatment, including having washing-up liquid forced down her throat, bleach splashed on her face, and having her head shaved without consent. She was compelled to survive on scraps and perform cleaning duties in appalling conditions.
The court heard that the victim, referred to as K, was initially placed in Wixon’s care at around 16 years old, having been passed to her in 1996 due to a tenuous family link. K remained confined during much of her captivity, with neighbors later recalling glimpses of her before she was effectively imprisoned indoors. Police discovered her living in squalor after one of Wixon’s sons raised concerns about her wellbeing in March 2021. Evidence during the trial showed K was subjected to regular beatings, had teeth knocked out with a broom handle, and suffered severe malnutrition and untreated dental infections. She was forced to maintain poor hygiene in secret and bore calluses from prolonged kneeling while cleaning.
Prosecutor Sam Jones detailed that Wixon had exploited K’s situation to fraudulently claim benefits meant for K over the 25 years, totaling an estimated amount exceeding £100,000. Gloucestershire Police Detective Superintendent Ian Fletcher described Wixon as extremely manipulative, particularly towards her family, which helped her conceal K’s captivity. Fletcher explained that K was treated drastically differently from Wixon’s other children, with multiple instances of physical abuse including punches, kicks, and being pushed down stairs. K’s writings revealed her longing for freedom and sunlight, highlighting the extent of her dehumanization during this period.
Since her rescue, K has moved in with a foster family, started attending college, and begun therapy while experiencing life outside captivity. Her foster mother expressed both the trauma K endured and her slow recovery, noting K’s initial reluctance to accept comfort but eventual warmth after gaining trust. K referred to Wixon as “the witch” and remained deeply frightened of her. At sentencing, a letter from K was read aloud, conveying the lasting impact of the trauma and the grief over the 25 years lost. Calls have been made for an inquiry into social services’ failure to detect K’s situation earlier, as contact records with Wixon’s family were only present in the late 1990s. Gloucestershire Police emphasized the case as a stark reminder of the hidden vulnerabilities some individuals face and the importance of vigilance to protect those who cannot advocate for themselves
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