THE "KING" of a travellers site has told jurors he blames police for poisoning the mind of the man he allegedly exploited for decades.

Pensioner Christopher Joyce took the stand at Oxford Crown Court to slam claims he forced Nicholas Iliff to perform "back-breaking" work at the Redbridge Hollow travellers' site.

He insisted Mr Iliff, who he treated like a son, was "happy" living and working with his family at the site, claiming he could never force him to do anything.

When quizzed by prosecutor Nigel Daly yesterday, Christopher Joyce said he was only in court because the police took his "son" away.

Mr Daly continued: "If he was leading this lovely happy life with you and your family, why would he be saying these things?"

Christopher Joyce replied: "Because I blame the police for doing this, for telling him what to say and do. [What he has said] was not his opinion. He was put up to it by the police."

Christopher Joyce and daughters Mary Joyce, 60, and Helen Collins, 46, who all live at the travellers site in Old Abingdon Road, deny one count of forced or compulsory labour.

The court previously heard Mr Iliff, who is now in his 50s, regarded Christopher Joyce and his late wife Winnie as his mum and dad, and considered himself their adopted son.

Jurors were told he was introduced to the family when Christopher Joyce's son Michael offered him a job and accommodation at The Slade travellers site when he was homeless at 15.

Christopher Joyce told the court he crafted rings made out of shillings and half-crowns for each of his sons and daughters, including Mr Iliff who he called Nicky.

The 82-year-old said the ring he made at he travellers' site for Mr Iliff had a heart engraved into it, adding: "Nicky had a big heart. He was good. I loved Nicky, I still love Nicky today as my own son."

Christopher Joyce fought back tears while his teary-eyed daughters looked on as he spoke about his wife, whose death he said made Mr Iliff "cry and shake".

He revealed to jurors one of three empty plots next to where his wife is buried is still for Mr Iliff when he is laid to rest.

The trial continues.