Gloucestershire woman convicted of keeping another as a slave for 25 years

A jury convicted Amanda Wixon of offences relating to the long-term servitude and control of a woman who lived with her from 1996 until the victim raised the alarm in 2021; Wixon has been granted conditional bail and faces sentencing in March.

A Gloucestershire woman, Amanda Wixon, was convicted by a jury of offences tied to the long-term servitude of another woman who lived with her. Prosecutors said the victim was taken in as a secondary-school‑aged child in 1996 and remained in Wixon's care until she used a hidden phone to raise the alarm in 2021. Police removed the woman and investigators described long-term control and deprivation. Wixon was granted conditional bail ahead of a sentencing hearing set for March. Key facts: - The jury found Wixon guilty of two counts of requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour, one count of false imprisonment and three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. - The victim lived with Wixon from about 1996 until 2021 and was reported to have raised concerns using a hidden phone that led to police involvement. - Prosecutors described long-term restrictions on the victim's movements and access to care; defence counsel disputed the scale and consistency of those allegations. - Judge Ian Lawrie KC granted conditional bail and told Wixon a custodial sentence was likely; sentencing is scheduled for March. Summary: The convictions relate to allegations of long-term domestic servitude and abuse of a vulnerable woman over many years. A sentencing hearing is set for March and the judge indicated a custodial sentence is likely.