THE jury in the trial of four men accused of forced labour have not reached a verdict in which they are all agreed at the end of their first day of deliberations.

Patrick Joseph Connors, 59, of Greenway Road, Rumney, Cardiff; his son Patrick Dean Connors, 39, of the same address; William Connors, 36, of Trowbridge Green, Cardiff; and Lee Christopher Carbis, 34, of Witla Court Road, Rumney are all on trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

The men, who are all on bail, deny a charge of requiring another to perform forced or compulsory labour between April 2010 and January 2013.

The charges relate to Michael Hughes, 46, who claims he was made a “slave” at Ton-Y-Pill Farm in Peterstone for more than 20 years. They also relate to a second victim, Mr K, aged 41, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Judge Neil Bidder QC has already directed the jury to return not guilty verdicts against Patrick Dean Connors for a count of conspiracy to kidnap Mr Hughes and also a not guilty verdict against William Connors for a count of ABH against Mr Hughes.

During the trial, the jury have heard both men lived in ‘squalid’ conditions and say they were made to work seven days a week up to 16 hours a day.

Patrick J Connors denies all allegations and said he treated Mr Hughes like 'one of the family.'

He is also charged with eight counts of ABH, four counts of kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to kidnap. Both Patrick Dean Connors and Lee Carbis are also charged with one count of kidnapping. They deny all allegations.

Proceeding.