A GROUP charged with modern slavery offences made their first appearance at Oxford Crown Court today.

Three of the four men appeared via videolink and spoke only to confirm their names at the brief pre-trial hearing.

Michael Joyce, 59, of Redbridge Hollow, is charged with requiring two people to perform compulsory labour, arranging or facilitating travel of two people with a view to exploitation and carrying on a regulated activity when not an authorised/exempt person.

John Joyce, 34, of Redbridge Hollow, is charged with requiring two people to perform forced or compulsory labour and carrying on a regulated activity when not an authorised/exempt person.

Michael Joyce, 26, of Redbridge Hollow is charged with requiring two people to perform forced or compulsory labour, arranging or facilitating travel of two people with a view to exploitation and carrying on a regulated activity when not an authorised/exempt person.

David Boiling, 33, of Northfield Close, Littlemore, and who did not appear, is charged with requiring two people to perform forced or compulsory labour, arranging or facilitating travel of two people with a view to exploitation and carrying on a regulating activity when not an authorised/exempt person.

Their provisional trial date was set for December 3 expected to last three weeks.