Traveller ‘groomed and bullied’ two ‘slaves’ and forced them to build a pub in his back garden
A MAN forced two modern “slaves” to build a pub in his back garden.
Michael Joyce, 60, “groomed and bullied” his victims, a court heard.
The pub, on a travellers’ site, took vulnerable Paul West and Paul Gilding about 11 weeks to build.
Joyce forced them to work for nothing in Redbridge Hollow in Oxford.
Mr West and Mr Gilding, who both had a heroin addiction, were “petrified” of Joyce, Oxford crown court heard.
The court heard how both victims, who called Joyce "bossman", were only ever paid in cannabis or cigarettes.
Mr West said he was forced to work at the travellers’ site to pay off an “endless” debt after Joyce loaned him £50.
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Giving evidence about his ordeal, Mr West said: "My life with the Joyce's was hell. I used to cry myself to sleep. My life was not in a good place.
"It was just a constant battle with every aspect of my day-to-day life."
Joyce was found guilty of five charges of modern slavery relating to forced labour and exploitation.
Joyce was remanded in custody for sentencing on Tuesday.
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