AN illegal immigrant told police he was forced to work at a multi-million pound cannabis factory where a man was found dead, a court heard.

The body of Tran Duy Hai, 38, was discovered in an industrial unit in Redhills Road industrial estate, South Woodham Ferrers.

Yesterday, Chelmsford Crown Court heard how it appeared he had fallen through a skylight when the factory was raided by burglars early on December 10, but the reasons behind the suspicious death were never found.

Vietnamese Khai Thuy Nguyen, 42, of Bath, Somerset, was arrested when a routine DNA test provided a match to fingerprints on bottles and paper at the scene. He denies being involved in the production of cannabis.

Nguyen claims when he discovered the drug operation and asked to leave, he and his family were threatened with violence.

The trial continues.