AN ALLEGED victim of modern day slavery who is partially blind said he wasn't able to see the blows coming when he was beaten, a court has heard.

Four men are on trial at Cardiff Crown Court accused of requiring another to perform forced or compulsory labour, against Michael Hughes, between April 2010 and January 2013, after being arrested as part of Gwent Police's Operation Imperial which investigated modern day slavery and forced labour.

The defendants are Patrick Joseph Connors, aged 59, his son Patrick Dean Connors, aged 39, both of Greenway Road, Rumney, Cardiff; William Connors, aged 36, of Trowbridge Green, Cardiff; and Lee Christopher Carbis, aged 34, of Witla Court Road, Rumney.

Some of the offences occurred in Peterstone Wentlooge, near Newport and Marshfield.

Mr K, a 41-year-old man who is registered as blind, giving evidence today said he met the elder Connors through a man called Cecil after spending around one and a half years homeless on the streets of Cardiff.

He said he was offered manual labour work with 'Paddy' Joseph Connors' business.

He said at first 'Paddy' J Connors' wife would do his washing and it 'seemed to good to be true to be honest' from his situation living on the streets.

His first night with the Connors he stayed in a shed made of breeze blocks which had a single bed. He said after about six to eight weeks in the shed he was joined by Michael Hughes, the other alleged victim, who slept on the floor.

He said he would be "totally exhausted" after working seven days a week up to 16 hours a day.

Mr K then moved into a garage with Mr Hughes which had no toilet or shower and it wasn't until a year later that they were installed.

He said: "It was sort of a luxury for us to be honest - just to use a shower."

The two men later moved to live in a caravan in Peterstone next to Patrick J Connors' farm house. Mr K described the living conditions as 'disgusting' and said the caravan had no means of cooking and mice.

Mr K told the court he was assaulted by Patrick Joseph Connors but due to his eye condition retinitis pigmentosa , which causes tunnel vision and blindness, he wouldn't see the blows when Patrick Joseph Connors was stood to the side of him.

He said Patrick Dean Connors never assaulted him but would ask his father 'Paddy' if he wanted him to 'sort out' Mr K.

Mr K told the court that even if he had hurt himself he was made to work. He said his right hand had been put into a splint after he sustaining multiple fractures but after leaving hospital he had to carry out weeding and jobs around Patrick J Connors' farm in Peterstone.

He told the court three weeks after injuring his hand he was carrying out work brick laying and slabbing.

He said: "I was in quite a lot of pain" and used speed to 'keep going.'

When asked by prosecutor John Hipkin why did he carry on working if he was in pain? Mr K replied:"I was not really given a choice." He said if he didn't work he would have to face 'Paddy's temper'."

Patrick Joseph Connors is also charged with eight counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of kidnapping.

He, along with his son Patrick Dean Connors, is also charged with conspiracy to kidnap and a count of kidnapping. Patrick Joseph Connors and Lee Carbis are charged with kidnapping.

William Connors is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Mr Hughes.

They deny all allegations.

Proceeding.