A MAN who is partially blind said he tried to escape four times from his 'squalid' conditions as he said it was like living with 'invisible shackles', 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 2010 and 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 todaay, said he was offered manual labour work with 'Paddy' J Connors' business after being homeless.

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

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

He told the court three weeks after sustaining multiple fractures in his hand while working he had no 'choice' but to carry out heavy labouring.

He said he was in a “lot of pain" and used speed to “keep going”.

Mr K said he escape four times because he felt like he had 'invisible shackles' and was afraid of Patrick J Connors.

A few days after the first escape he was spotted by both Patrick Connors sitting at the back of a bus in Cardiff.

Mr K said he opened the emergency door and ran to get away from the elder Connors who had got on the bus after stopping it.

The 41-year-old said he was 'terrified' after being caught and shoved into the backseat of a car by one of the Patrick Connors.

They took him to a man who Mr K said was a 'nasty piece of work.'

He said this man did not physically hurt him but threatened him to not escape again.

Patrick J Connors is 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. Patrick J Connors and Lee Carbis are charged with kidnapping.

William Connors is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

They deny all allegations.

Proceeding.