Connors trial: Sentencing delayed

SENTENCING on five Irish Travellers convicted of using men for forced labour in Gloucestershire will be made tomorrow.(Wednesday)
His Honour Judge Michael Longman delayed sentencing for 24 hours to consider mitigation put forward by each defendant's legal team.
William Connors, 51, his wife Breda, 48, their sons John, 29, James, 20, and son-in-law Miles, 24, were all found guilty of conspiracy to carry out forced or compulsory labour.
Defending head of the family William Connors, Michael Borrelli QC said his client was a "chastened and wiser man" following Friday's guilty verdict.
"Billy Connors has learnt his lesson, but he knows it is too late in the day," he said.
"He accepts it was wrong that so little money was being paid to somebody on his behalf.
"For whatever reason, ineptitude or worse, the defendants were forced to have a prolonged adjournment before they were convicted.
"That delay is an additional burden on their shoulders.
"There were only two incidents of bad behaviour recorded on camera by Billy Connors towards workers, the rest was purely anecdotal.
"The fact he had taken advantage of the workers for his own financial gain has never been disputed. Not all of the finances he received are the result of criminal conduct.
"He did not face his responsibility as a tax payer, but after all the upset that has happened and the punishment he will be a better person."
His wife, Breda,  was said to be "inconsolable and in a state of utter despair."
Lewis Power QC has asked for her six months served on remand to be considered by the judge. She has also spent 13 months on curfew with an electronic tag.
"Breda has an overwhelming fear she may never see her mother again and her 16-year-old daughter is not yet capable of fending for herself," he said.
"There was a kindness shown by her to the workers that was not shown by the others. Her role was fundamentally different."
Nick Atkinson QC said the youngest Connors family member to stand trial, James, was a victim of circumstance.
"Where you are born can affect your life enormously," he said.
"If you are born as a Rothschild, you would expect to live a very different kind of life.
"James was at school until 12 - then out, brought to work as others in the family had worked.
"The evidence of him using violence in the indictment period is thin indeed."
John Connors, a traveller in every sense, will struggle to deal with imprisonment, said defence barrister Philip King QC.
"Loss of liberty is a real and enduring penalty for John Connors. It will be almost intolerable for him.
"He has known this life since childhood. At 29, he has no other skills, training or experience. These are customs and a lifestyle he has inherited.
"It would take a brave and thoughtful man to abandon these customs. When he is at liberty again, he will be a different, changed man."
Miles Connors married into the family in 2006.
His legal representative, Roger Smith QC insisted he had treated his workers well.
"Miles is a relative newcomer to the business that has been operating for a number of years," he said.
"He appears to have treated his workers well. He provided clothing, food and prompt payment – albeit small in nature."
The maximum penalty is 14 years, although they are not expected to receive the full term.