A MAN who forced two vulnerable victims to work for nothing at an Oxford travellers' site has been convicted of all counts.
As the unanimous guilty verdicts in the trial of Michael Joyce were handed down today a court Judge said the 60-year old 'cajoled and bullied' his victims.
The two men were forced to work for nothing during an 18-month period at Redbridge Hollow between April 1, 2016 and January 30, 2018.
As part of the forced labour the men, described as 'vulnerable' and having been 'groomed' by Joyce, were made to carry out building work, including the construction of a pub known as 'The Dons Bar' at Redbridge Hollow.
Joyce had denied all five counts of modern slavery charges relating to forced labour and exploitation.
During his trial he took to the witness box to claim he had paid the men and called them his 'friends.'
Jurors at Oxford Crown Court this afternoon threw out that argument and took just three hours and 14 minutes to find him guilty of all counts.
After the verdicts had been given presiding Judge Ian Pringle QC said: "You have been convicted by this jury of serious criminal offences.
"These occurred over the period of a year or more where you effectively cajoled and bullied two men into working for you for nothing.
"You not only did that but you helped yourself to their money and their partner's money.
"There is only one sort of sentence that is going to be passed with these offences."
Judge Pringle adjourned the sentencing hearing for time to 'reflect' before passing sentence.
Joyce was remanded in custody to await his sentencing which will be held at the same court on Tuesday.
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