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Five members of family convicted in forced labour case | Five members of family convicted in forced labour case |
(4 months later) | |
Five members of the same family have been found guilty of keeping their own private workforce. | Five members of the same family have been found guilty of keeping their own private workforce. |
William Connors, 52, his wife, Mary, 48, their sons John, 29, and James, 20, and their son-in-law Miles Connors, 24, were all convicted of conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour between April 2010 and March 2011. | William Connors, 52, his wife, Mary, 48, their sons John, 29, and James, 20, and their son-in-law Miles Connors, 24, were all convicted of conspiracy to require a person to perform forced or compulsory labour between April 2010 and March 2011. |
A jury at Bristol crown court found the five guilty following a three-month trial. | A jury at Bristol crown court found the five guilty following a three-month trial. |
They had also faced a second charge of conspiracy to hold another person in servitude but the trial judge ordered the jury to find the defendants not guilty of that offence. | They had also faced a second charge of conspiracy to hold another person in servitude but the trial judge ordered the jury to find the defendants not guilty of that offence. |
The prosecution was brought under section 71 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. | The prosecution was brought under section 71 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. |
During the trial, the court heard that the Connors would pick up the men – often homeless drifters or addicts – to work for them as labourers. | During the trial, the court heard that the Connors would pick up the men – often homeless drifters or addicts – to work for them as labourers. |
The victims lived in squalid caravans on Traveller sites as they moved around the country working on the Connors' paving and patio businesses. | The victims lived in squalid caravans on Traveller sites as they moved around the country working on the Connors' paving and patio businesses. |
Some were also ordered to perform humiliating tasks, such as emptying the buckets used as toilets by their bosses. | Some were also ordered to perform humiliating tasks, such as emptying the buckets used as toilets by their bosses. |
Their work was monotonous, arduous and unrelenting, and they were controlled by discipline and violence. | Their work was monotonous, arduous and unrelenting, and they were controlled by discipline and violence. |
Some of the men – called "dossers" by the Connors – had worked for the family for nearly two decades. | Some of the men – called "dossers" by the Connors – had worked for the family for nearly two decades. |
Many were beaten, hit with broom handles, belts, a rake and shovel, and punched and kicked by the Connors. | Many were beaten, hit with broom handles, belts, a rake and shovel, and punched and kicked by the Connors. |
On another occasion one worker had a hosepipe shoved down his throat and the men were often made to strip for a "hosing down session" with freezing water. | On another occasion one worker had a hosepipe shoved down his throat and the men were often made to strip for a "hosing down session" with freezing water. |
"It caused fear in the men," said the prosecutor Christopher Quinlan QC. | "It caused fear in the men," said the prosecutor Christopher Quinlan QC. |
"Not just themselves being assaulted, but to see the others – if you see one of your colleagues being beaten, you knew what to expect. | "Not just themselves being assaulted, but to see the others – if you see one of your colleagues being beaten, you knew what to expect. |
"It was a clear and unequivocal demonstration of control and dominance, of one set, the family, over another." | "It was a clear and unequivocal demonstration of control and dominance, of one set, the family, over another." |
The court heard the men were paid as little as £5 for a day's hard labour on jobs that would earn the family several thousands pounds. | The court heard the men were paid as little as £5 for a day's hard labour on jobs that would earn the family several thousands pounds. |
They were given so little food they resorted to scavenging from dustbins at supermarkets. The men also salvaged clothing from bins and used a bucket or woodland as a toilet. | They were given so little food they resorted to scavenging from dustbins at supermarkets. The men also salvaged clothing from bins and used a bucket or woodland as a toilet. |
In contrast, the Connors lived in large and well-appointed caravans fitted with top-of-the-range kitchens and flatscreen televisions. | In contrast, the Connors lived in large and well-appointed caravans fitted with top-of-the-range kitchens and flatscreen televisions. |
William and Mary Connors, known as Billy and Brida, enjoyed luxurious holidays, including one to Dubai and a 10-day cruise around the Caribbean on the Queen Mary 2, the court heard. | William and Mary Connors, known as Billy and Brida, enjoyed luxurious holidays, including one to Dubai and a 10-day cruise around the Caribbean on the Queen Mary 2, the court heard. |
As well as holidays, they had a number of vehicles including a silver A-Class Mercedes and a Rolls-Royce, and owned properties now worth millions of pounds. Several houses were registered in the names of other relatives. | As well as holidays, they had a number of vehicles including a silver A-Class Mercedes and a Rolls-Royce, and owned properties now worth millions of pounds. Several houses were registered in the names of other relatives. |
The family bought two caravan parks in Gloucestershire for £545,000 more than a decade ago and had over £500,000 between them in bank accounts. | The family bought two caravan parks in Gloucestershire for £545,000 more than a decade ago and had over £500,000 between them in bank accounts. |
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