Connors traveller family slavery trial: 'I was scared of my bosses'

HOMELESS James Martin feared his traveller bosses would use violence against him if he did not toe the line, a court heard.

The 43-year-old alcoholic, who worked for the Connors family for six years, told how "the bosses were not scared of using violence to get their own way" Bristol Crown Court was told yesterday.

In a recorded police interview played in court at the end of the second week of the Gloucestershire slavery trial, Mr Martin said: "I did not give their names in an earlier interview because a lot of the family are still out there and I was a bit scared.

"For quite a long time now I have lived in my own little bubble doing jobs for them nobody else wanted to do, but enough is enough."

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

The witness said Billy Connors and his son Johnny "were very good at manipulating situations" and controlled their every move.

Mr Martin told police: "If I ever wanted to leave the site (Beggars Roost in Staverton) to go to the shop or to walk into town to go to the park, I would have to explain where I was going.

"And if I was not back when I said they would start phoning me and telling me they needed me back at the site.

"They did not want you have any contact with the outside world."

The trial continues on Tuesday.