Authorities in the UK have found a woman guilty of modern-day slavery offenses. She allegedly kept another woman captive in her home for more than two decades. During that time, the victim was forced to do manual labor around the house and lived on scraps.

The Gloucestershire Constabulary posted a news release about the incident on Facebook. Amanda Wixon, a 56-year-old mother of 10 from Tewkesbury, reportedly kept her victim locked in the house in squalid conditions. The woman, now in her 40s, has learning difficulties and initially met Wixon through family connections. The news release explains that Wixon assumed responsibility for the victim in 1996.

During her time at Wixons’ home, authorities explain that the woman was deprived of food and healthcare. She was restricted to a single meal per day, which usually consisted of leftovers or scraps. The news release reveals that she often hid sweet foods away in secret in case she got hungry.

Wixon had claimed benefits for the victim since 2000, but allegedly kept the money for herself while the woman wore hand-me-down clothes. During a 13-day trial, the jury heard that the victim completed chores around the house under the threat of violence. Those threats reportedly became actual violent incidents on multiple occasions.

The release details several horrific events that took place between January 1997 and March 2021. During the trial, the victim described how Wixon strangled her and put her head down the toilet. On a separate occasion, Wixon discovered that someone had given the victim a mobile phone. She reportedly took it, smacked the woman around the face with it, causing a black eye, and then broke the device with a hammer.

Wixon’s reign of terror ended on March 15, 2021. She was arrested on suspicion of neglect and taken into custody. The police reportedly arrived at the home that evening after the victim used a secret mobile phone to call someone. Officers said the victim looked frightened and malnourished. They also noted the state of her room, which was filthy and had mold on the walls.

Doctors detailed multiple injuries, including scarring around her mouth and calluses on her ankles. A dentist also saw her for the first time, who said the victim was likely in severe pain from untreated oral injuries.

The Gloucester Crown Court found Wixon guilty of multiple offenses on January 21, 2026. Authorities convicted her of two counts of requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labor, one count of false imprisonment, and three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Detective Constable Emma Jackson from Gloucestershire Police praised the victim for her bravery. “Knowing all too well what the violent consequences would have been if she’d been caught, it was incredibly courageous of her,” she said. Jackson also said the victim was now “flourishing” with the support of “her wonderful Shared Lives carer.”

The court released Wixon on bail, and she is due to be sentenced on March 12.