FOUR people have been sentenced for their part in a 22-month scheme which saw a man forced to work for them.

Oxford Crown Court heard that the victim Daniel Collins, who had mental health problems, was forced to carry out a number of tasks including shoplifting. 

Some of the crimes were committed when three of the four lived at Redbridge Hollow in Old Abingdon Road, Oxford. 

Paul Joyce,  now of Ver Meadows caravan site, St Albans, Hertfordshire, was sentenced to a total of 34 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of forced labour, three counts of fraud and one count of common assault.

His wife Helen Cash, of the same address, was given a two-year suspended sentence for one count of forced labour and three of fraud.

Michael Joyce, of Redbridge Hollow, was given a two-year suspended sentence for one count of forced labour, and Ifran Iqbal of Millfield Walk, Hemel Hempstead, admitted one charge of fraud and was ordered to carry out 120 hours work.

All defendants admitted all their respective charges relating to one man, Daniel Collins.

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