A MAN who was allegedly kidnapped by 'gipsies' told the court yesterday (Wed) police officers didn't believe him after he told them he jumped out of a moving car in a bid to escape from the defendants.

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 are on trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

They are accused of requiring another to perform forced or compulsory labour after being arrested as part of Gwent Police's Operation Imperial, and some of the offences occurred in Peterstone Wentlooge, near Newport and Marshfield.

Four counts of kidnapping and one count of ABH relate to a 41-year-old man, identified as Mr K, who said he tried to escape his 'disgusting' living and working conditions four times.

He claims during his third escape he was stopped by police officers around 2am as he and another man were walking from 'Paddy' J Connors' farm in Peterstone into Newport.

Mr K said he told the officers: "We're working for gipsies and we're trying to get away from that lifestyle."

James Doyle, defending Patrick J Connors, suggested no complaint was made to the officers and suggested they didn’t take him seriously as Mr K 'was drunk'.

The fourth time Mr K claims he was kidnapped, he said 'Paddy' J Connors and Lee Carbis forced him into the back of a car after spotting him.

Mr K said he jumped out of the moving car to get away.

He then called the police and spoke with two officers at St Mellons Police Station about the kidnapping.

But he claims they were in ‘disbelief’ and could tell he had been drinking but he denied being drunk.

He said one officer said "I can't do anything about it".

Mr Doyle said what Mr K was saying was 'all fantasy'.

He questioned why Mr K in 2007 didn't take an opportunity to tell a probation officer about the defendants and his living conditions.

He said: “Because the police didn't believe what I had said, who’s going to believe me? I kept it to myself."

Patrick J Connors is also charged with eight counts of ABH and two counts of kidnapping.

He, along with Patrick Dean Connors, is charged with conspiracy to kidnap and one count of kidnapping. William Connors is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

They deny all allegations.

Proceeding.