0:00:02 > 0:00:04- Meet the sheriffs. - Let's introduce ourselves.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07I'm a High Court enforcement officer. We're here to execute a writ.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11They're the men whose job it is to get you your money back.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13It's an arrestable offence to stop me.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16They're High Court enforcement officers, charged by law
0:00:16 > 0:00:20- to recover what a court says is rightfully yours. - I'm not waiting any more.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23If you've been ripped off and don't know where to turn...
0:00:23 > 0:00:27I'm ordered to seize goods to clear this debt, which would mean clearing this place out.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31..if you've been to court but still not been paid what you're owed...
0:00:31 > 0:00:35- Why don't you tell me who you are? - This is an absolute crock!
0:00:35 > 0:00:36I've seized your car.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38Let us through the door or we'll go through the window.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41..it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43We've collected 42 grand.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49Coming up,
0:00:49 > 0:00:55Clive Nichol paid £2,700 for a car, which he says was dangerous.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59The kids could've been involved in a serious accident. They could've been killed.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03- It doesn't say that! - The sheriffs' epic run-in with the dealer that sold it
0:01:03 > 0:01:06goes beyond anything they expected.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10- Don't push! Don't push! Don't push! - Go on, run me over.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12Kath Parton was promised a new driveway.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16She was left with a pile of bricks.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21It is rubbish. My savings have all deteriorated because of it.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Can the sheriffs get her her money back?
0:01:24 > 0:01:27It'll be a case of seizing the vehicles, whatever we can.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32And the owner of this pub has lost it to squatters.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35Can the sheriffs get the uninvited guests out
0:01:35 > 0:01:38and the rightful owner back in?
0:01:38 > 0:01:42- Enforcement officers! - Up to the first floor. First floor.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48High Court Enforcement Officers, commonly known as sheriffs,
0:01:48 > 0:01:51enforce writs at all sorts of businesses,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54but there's one trade they visit more than most -
0:01:54 > 0:01:56car dealers.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00You need to get him on the phone. If this isn't paid, we'll remove several of your vehicles.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05From small-ad dealers, to local garages and out-of-town forecourts...
0:02:05 > 0:02:06I'm not waiting any more.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10..they represent some of the trickiest assignments they take on.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15This morning, enforcement officers Marc Newton and Tony Smith
0:02:15 > 0:02:18are in their van and on their way to just such a venue.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21We're looking for a company called Sandhurst Bridge Cars Limited.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24We've actually got two writs at this address.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26We've got one for Sandhurst Bridge Cars Ltd
0:02:26 > 0:02:31and one for Sami Alsilawi,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34who's the director of the company.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36They're heading there on behalf of two customers,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39who both bought faulty cars from the garage
0:02:39 > 0:02:44and thought the service so bad, they went to court over it.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50One of them is Clive Nichol.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53He and his family came back to live in the UK from New Zealand
0:02:53 > 0:02:58after the tragedy of the Christchurch earthquake destroyed their life there.
0:02:58 > 0:03:04We lost our house, all our contents, most of our contents were ruined.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06The aftershocks kept happening.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08A few months later,
0:03:08 > 0:03:12there was another magnitude-6 earthquake
0:03:12 > 0:03:14and that was just too much for my wife and children
0:03:14 > 0:03:17and we came back to England the next day.
0:03:17 > 0:03:23Arriving in the UK, he urgently needed a car to provide transport for his family.
0:03:23 > 0:03:28He hoped buying one would help the family get back on track with their new life in England.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32Instead, the car and the company that sold it to him
0:03:32 > 0:03:34have caused him so many problems,
0:03:34 > 0:03:36he went to court.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38Now the sheriffs will try to get his money back
0:03:38 > 0:03:42for a car that he says put his family in danger.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46It made us fearful that the kids could've been involved in a serious accident.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49They could've been killed, my wife, too.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Looking around for a vehicle that would transport his family,
0:03:58 > 0:04:03he came across a Volkswagen Touran at Sandhurst Bridge Cars.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07The car seemed in good condition.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09And with a warranty to boot,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Clive was happy to hand garage-owner Sami Alsilawi
0:04:12 > 0:04:15the £2,700 he wanted
0:04:15 > 0:04:17and drive it away.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20The Volkswagen Touran drove OK for about three weeks
0:04:20 > 0:04:23and then the automatic gearbox failed.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26It just had no power and wouldn't engage any gears.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30Deeply unhappy with the intermittent gearbox problem,
0:04:30 > 0:04:32the Nichols went back to the garage director
0:04:32 > 0:04:35to demand he address it.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39The garage boss offered to exchange it for another car -
0:04:39 > 0:04:41a SEAT Alhambra.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45But the SEAT turned out to be even worse.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49We realised the Alhambra had technical problems pretty much straight away.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52It would lose power going up hills,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55the heating didn't work, it would fill with water.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58We took it to a SEAT garage
0:04:58 > 0:05:01and they spent half a day looking at all the problems,
0:05:01 > 0:05:04and there's still more they didn't have time to investigate.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08Most importantly, the front wheel was really, really wobbly.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12A passing motorist flagged my wife down in panic
0:05:12 > 0:05:14because it was about to fall off.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16That car was dangerous.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19We could've had a serious accident.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24Both Clive and his wife tried to get back in touch with Mr Alsilawi.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27After a while, he refused to answer their calls
0:05:27 > 0:05:30and would only communicate by text message.
0:05:31 > 0:05:36He accused us of breaking both cars and driving the Alhambra to distraction point.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39That was his words.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42We figured, "What can we do?"
0:05:42 > 0:05:46They took Sandhurst Bridge Cars' director Sami Alsilawi to court.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48He didn't contest the case
0:05:48 > 0:05:52and the court ordered him to pay the Nichols £3,300.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55But since then, no money's been paid.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57Their only hope of getting their money back
0:05:57 > 0:06:00now rests with the sheriffs.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02That's Sandhurst Bridge Cars.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Arriving at the address, Marc and Tony are enforcing two writs today -
0:06:06 > 0:06:10Clive's, which is in Sami Alsilawi's name personally,
0:06:10 > 0:06:13and a second one, also from a disgruntled customer,
0:06:13 > 0:06:18but in the company's name - Sandhurst Bridge Cars.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22It's time for Marc and Tony to make their presence felt.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25All right? Is the guv'nor about?
0:06:25 > 0:06:30- We've got a writ for Sandhurst Cars, Bridge Cars Ltd.- Yes.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- Are you the owner?- No.- No.
0:06:33 > 0:06:38- You just work here. Is he about? - At the moment, no here. Just...
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Can you get him on the phone?
0:06:42 > 0:06:46We're from the High Court, tell him. Sheriffs from the High Court, yes?
0:06:46 > 0:06:51The employee gets the garage boss on the phone for Marc and Tony.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54- Marc, here.- Hello?
0:06:54 > 0:06:57It's about a High Court writ that's been issued.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01The man on the phone claims to be the boss of a different company, Yorktown Motors,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05which he says took over the premises three weeks ago.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09If this is true, it's game over for the enforcement officers.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14They can only demand money or seize goods from the company named in their writ.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19Marc's been using his legal powers to examine any documents relating to a writ,
0:07:19 > 0:07:21and he's already found evidence
0:07:21 > 0:07:25that suggests all might not be what it seems.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29So, what's it called now? Yorktown.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32So, why is there card payments, credit card slips,
0:07:32 > 0:07:34for Sandhurst Bridge Motors?
0:07:34 > 0:07:37It was done on the 18th. That's last week.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41There seems to be a lot of stuff laying around for them, considering they're not here.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45They have got their stuff here because I'm seeing it in front of me.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Marc asks to see some official documentation
0:07:47 > 0:07:50that the new business is operating there.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54Have you got the Companies House certificate, then?
0:07:54 > 0:07:55The guy's pointing to something.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Where's your certificate?
0:07:57 > 0:08:01Yes, I've... Right, I've got the Yorktown Motors sign.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05Just because there's a sign here, it doesn't mean it's a different company!
0:08:05 > 0:08:10Undeterred, the Yorktown Motors boss continues to insist his is a new business
0:08:10 > 0:08:14and that the two debts are therefore nothing to do with him.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16But Marc's undeterred, too.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21If I find out it is something to do with you, we will be charging you waiting time.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23I'm not leaving the building, OK?
0:08:23 > 0:08:26All right, thank you. Bye-bye.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29The sheriffs continue looking for evidence
0:08:29 > 0:08:32that there are assets on site in the name of Sandhurst Bridge Cars
0:08:32 > 0:08:35or its director, Sami Alsilawi.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39If they can find any, the assets can be seized and sold
0:08:39 > 0:08:42to get Clive the money he's owed.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Keep digging through them drawers, Tone.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50The two continue their search for clues.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58The last transaction was seven days ago,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00done from Sandhurst Bridge Cars.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04He said they went three weeks ago, but they've left their card machine. It doesn't add up.
0:09:04 > 0:09:10Then Marc checks the 'Sandhurst Bridge Cars' website and gets a surprise.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14I checked it half an hour before we came here and it was 'Sandhurst Bridge Cars'.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16I've just gone on it and it now says Yorktown Motors.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21It's exactly the same website, same number and everything, but the heading is changed.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23With the evidence mounting,
0:09:23 > 0:09:28Marc's got some awkward questions for the employee left holding the fort.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Hang on. This... This was done three days ago.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36This was done just over a week ago - again, same address,
0:09:36 > 0:09:38card machine, which is that card machine.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43Are you telling me he's done it from another address, brought everything back here and left it here?
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Somebody's telling lies, aren't they? Let's be honest.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48What we're going to do is seize a car,
0:09:48 > 0:09:51which means we're going to take a car away to cover this debt.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Yes?
0:09:54 > 0:09:55No, no, no!
0:09:55 > 0:09:59We don't leave it today, unfortunately.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01Despite everything he has found,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Marc's still looking for definite proof
0:10:04 > 0:10:08that any of the cars on site are registered to Sandhurst Bridge Cars
0:10:08 > 0:10:11or its director, Sami Alsilawi.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13- Er...- The black Audi out there...
0:10:13 > 0:10:15YH05, isn't it, something like that?
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- YH03?- Yes.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21There you are... "Bought at British Car Auctions by Sami Alsilawi
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- "on the 23rd of the 11th, '12."- OK.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Bingo! A receipt for a car,
0:10:27 > 0:10:30bought by Sami Alsilawi four days ago.
0:10:32 > 0:10:33..it's sitting out there.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Having found the bargaining chip they were after,
0:10:36 > 0:10:40the sheriffs throw down the gauntlet.
0:10:40 > 0:10:45Unless they get their money, this car will be leaving with the sheriffs.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48And, as an extra precaution,
0:10:48 > 0:10:52they block the forecourt entrance, too.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57Unsurprisingly, the boss of Yorktown Motors is soon back on the phone.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01This time, he's got a completely new story.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03He now admits he does know Sami Alsilawi.
0:11:03 > 0:11:08You told me you was nothing to do with him, and you had nothing to do with the old company.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12He also admits that he bought some of the vehicles on the forecourt
0:11:12 > 0:11:16from Sandhurst Bridge Cars just a week ago,
0:11:16 > 0:11:19but the dates just aren't adding up for Marc.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23How did you buy the car off him three days before he bought the car?
0:11:23 > 0:11:27It's gone from three weeks,
0:11:27 > 0:11:29to three... to one week,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32and now we're saying three days, is that what you're telling me?
0:11:32 > 0:11:34You're getting confused between three weeks and three days.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38The call ends with the Yorktown Motors boss still claiming,
0:11:38 > 0:11:41despite his confusion over the dates,
0:11:41 > 0:11:43that he did buy the cars from Mr Alsilawi.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46He says he paid in cash,
0:11:46 > 0:11:49so unfortunately there's no paper trail for the deal.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52Why don't you ring him up? Obviously you know him!
0:11:52 > 0:11:56A fired-up Marc's attention turns back to the luckless employee,
0:11:56 > 0:11:58stuck in the office with him.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02He continues to protest about Marc seizing the Audi.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05Receipts for cars that were bought four days ago
0:12:05 > 0:12:08in the name of the director for Sandhurst Bridge Cars, OK?
0:12:08 > 0:12:14I have a writ for the director of Sandhurst Bridge Cars Ltd.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16I'm seizing that car.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Do you want me to keep going through these files?
0:12:19 > 0:12:22That was bought three days ago by Sandhurst Bridge Cars.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26That was sold by Sandhurst Bridge Cars.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31- Do you want me to keep going or do you want to get the guy here? - No, no, I...!
0:12:31 > 0:12:34The employee leaves the portacabin to make another phone call,
0:12:34 > 0:12:38as Marc continues his detective work.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42What have you found now, Poirot?!
0:12:43 > 0:12:46It's like Morse and Lewis, isn't it?
0:12:47 > 0:12:49That's the MOT and the logbook for that.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54Try that. I think that's the keys to the Audi. If it is, put them in your pocket.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58- LOCK BLEEPS - Yep.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01With the car keys in hand
0:13:01 > 0:13:07and still no sign of the boss of either Sandhurst Bridge Cars or Yorktown Motors,
0:13:07 > 0:13:09it's time for an ultimatum.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- We're going to have to call the tow truck.- No, no.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15- He's coming. He's coming.- OK.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19If he comes and pays, he's going to have to pay for the tow truck.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22It's an Audi A4 Convertible.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25I've got the keys, got the logbook, got the MOT.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28It's a race now, who turns up first -
0:13:28 > 0:13:30him or the tow truck!
0:13:30 > 0:13:36Later, we'll find out what happens when boss Sami Alsilawi arrives,
0:13:36 > 0:13:38determined to keep hold of his Audi.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42That is your car, I don't care what you say, and it's going.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44It's not going! I sold it!
0:13:44 > 0:13:45Ready for action.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47Let's go, then.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51If you win a court judgment for over £600 but don't get paid,
0:13:51 > 0:13:54all isn't lost.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56For a fee of £60,
0:13:56 > 0:14:01your judgment can be transferred up to the High Court for enforcement.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03I'm an enforcement officer. We've got a High Court writ.
0:14:03 > 0:14:09The sheriffs will then go into bat on your behalf and enforce the writ on the debtor.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Would you send somebody down?
0:14:11 > 0:14:15Their job is to get you back what the court says is rightfully yours.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20It is a last resort, to force entry. Hopefully, they'll open the door.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23If they are successful, there's nothing more to pay.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27If not, the only cost is a £60 fee plus VAT.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29The only way you can prevent further action is to pay in full.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42On their way to get justice for someone else
0:14:42 > 0:14:47are enforcement officers Darryl Oreton and Mark Povey.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49We're off to Bridgnorth now.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53We're off to try and find a Mr Julian Clifford Milner.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55Mr Milner's a builder
0:14:55 > 0:14:59who owes a large debt to a lady he did some work for -
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Kath Parton.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06Two years ago, she decided to have a new block-paved driveway built.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08She didn't know it at the time,
0:15:08 > 0:15:12but it was a decision that would see her thousands of pounds out of pocket
0:15:12 > 0:15:15and having to go through the courts to try and get it back.
0:15:15 > 0:15:20He said he'd do me a better drive than he did the one next door! Far better.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23That's the biggest joke in the world!
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Kath first came across builder Julian Milner
0:15:34 > 0:15:36when he was working on the house next door.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40I thought he was a very decent man. I thought he was reasonable
0:15:40 > 0:15:42and that he was an honest man.
0:15:44 > 0:15:49Mr Milner quoted Kath £4,600 to do her driveway
0:15:49 > 0:15:53and build a double-brick boundary wall around the edge of the house.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56He said he'd have it done in a matter of weeks.
0:15:56 > 0:15:57Yes, I was over the moon.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59I was telling the neighbours
0:15:59 > 0:16:03I was going to have it all done in two to three weeks, yes.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Thinking she was onto a winner,
0:16:05 > 0:16:09Kath paid Mr Milner up front from her life savings.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11It was a decision she came to regret.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Within a few weeks of starting the job,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Mr Milner's attendance had become sporadic,
0:16:17 > 0:16:19and for Kath, worse was to come.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22While she waited for Mr Milner to finish,
0:16:22 > 0:16:26she suffered a car accident, leaving her with broken arms and legs.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28She's still in constant pain
0:16:28 > 0:16:32and her mobility's severely restricted.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36Now unable to drive, the building work became even more important.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41She needed easy access for the mobility scooter that's now her lifeline.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43But instead of aiding her recovery,
0:16:43 > 0:16:48three months after starting the job, Mr Milner walked off site.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52The driveway's still unfinished and the wall barely started.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55It's a disgrace. You can just shove them.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Look at this, how easy it is to lift a brick out.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02This will not last very much longer.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05It is rubbish. What a bloody mess!
0:17:05 > 0:17:08And it wasn't just Kath that thought so.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11With Mr Milner refusing to answer her calls,
0:17:11 > 0:17:16Kath decided to pay for an independent surveyor to look at the work he'd done.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18His conclusion was
0:17:18 > 0:17:20it was all substandard.
0:17:20 > 0:17:26Even the concrete that he'd laid for the foundations of the wall were substandard.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28It needed taking up and redoing.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32The surveyor estimated it would cost over £12,000
0:17:32 > 0:17:35to rectify the work to a proper standard.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Kath wrote to Mr Milner, demanding a refund.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41He offered to finish the work himself,
0:17:41 > 0:17:44but Kath had had more than enough of him.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48No! No, I didn't want him back here to do the work.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51No, I wanted my money back.
0:17:51 > 0:17:56Kath decided to start court proceedings against him to get her money back.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Mr Milner responded in writing,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00admitting to problems with the job
0:18:00 > 0:18:05and offering a one-off £4,000 payment in response.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09But, needing more than that to cover her legal costs and rebuild the drive,
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Kath rejected the offer.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14The matter went to court and a judge agreed with Kath,
0:18:14 > 0:18:18awarding her the full amount she claimed, plus her court costs.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20But despite her victory,
0:18:20 > 0:18:24Kath's still not received any payment from Mr Milner.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27My savings have all deteriorated because of it.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31I've got nothing at the back of me now
0:18:31 > 0:18:35for the latter part of my years, of whatever's left of my life.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37Determined not to give up,
0:18:37 > 0:18:42Kath's only hope now rests with the sheriffs.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45That's why Darryl and Mark are at Mr Milner's home.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48They've only got one thing on their minds -
0:18:48 > 0:18:52getting her back the money she so desperately needs.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56They use their van to block in the expensive-looking vehicles on the drive,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58in case they need to seize them.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Then they head for the front door.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Early signs at the house, however, are not looking good.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12There's no-one answering, so Darryl goes round the back.
0:19:12 > 0:19:17Sheriffs can't force entry at residential properties, as they can at commercial premises,
0:19:17 > 0:19:22but they are legally allowed to enter them through unlocked doors or windows.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23With the side gate unlocked,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Darryl's straight into the back garden.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30The only thing home, however, seems to be canine.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32DOG BARKS ..I don't know,
0:19:32 > 0:19:36like a chocolaty Labrador thing.
0:19:37 > 0:19:42All the doors are locked around there. There's a dog inside.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44There's no sign of life.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46With no-one to talk to,
0:19:46 > 0:19:50all the sheriffs can do is size up what assets are on site.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54Luckily, there's no shortage of expensive cars or other goods.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Go around the back and just see whatever goods are in the back garden,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01barbeques or a table and chairs or something.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05We've got no phone numbers.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10It may be a case of seizing the vehicles, whatever we can, and leaving the paperwork.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13With full access to the garden,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16there are plenty of assets for Mark to get listing.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20The dog's not happy about the sheriffs being on site,
0:20:20 > 0:20:24but being locked inside, he's off their seizure list.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Other wildlife, however, aren't so lucky.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Big coy carp in there, as well.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32Darryl's seizure is drawing to a close.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35They deliver a Walking Possession through the letterbox.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39What they've listed is now the court's, on paper at least.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42But Darryl's not entirely disheartened
0:20:42 > 0:20:45and is still hopeful of a good result for Kath.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49Although we didn't make contact, it was actually a better result than I was expecting.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54There's a dog inside and cats inside, chickens in the back garden,
0:20:54 > 0:20:58so there's definitely someone here looking after these animals.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01There's four cars, there's a whole family living here,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04so someone will be in touch with him today, definitely.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07And indeed, Darryl's faith is well placed.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10With the weight of a High Court writ behind them,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13sometimes the sheriffs' paperwork alone
0:21:13 > 0:21:16is enough to get a result on behalf of their clients.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Some days after their visit,
0:21:18 > 0:21:22Mr Milner agreed to enter into a court-appointed payment plan.
0:21:22 > 0:21:28Kath has already received the first contribution and is understandably delighted.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31Altogether, it's been a beautiful day!
0:21:31 > 0:21:32He's got to pay every month,
0:21:32 > 0:21:35otherwise the enforcement officers will be back down on him
0:21:35 > 0:21:39and they will take goods and everything else
0:21:39 > 0:21:41to cover the cost of that monthly payment,
0:21:41 > 0:21:45so whether he likes it or not, he's in trouble.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49I feel not only have I been vindicated,
0:21:49 > 0:21:54I can really jump for joy to know I was right.
0:21:59 > 0:22:04While the majority of the 70,000 writs sheriffs execute each year
0:22:04 > 0:22:06concern collecting unpaid court debts,
0:22:06 > 0:22:08it's not all they do.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12Today, the sheriffs are on a different type of job -
0:22:12 > 0:22:15evicting squatters.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20In the high-pressure world of London's property market,
0:22:20 > 0:22:22there's a lack of affordable accommodation.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26This has led to a rise in squatting.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28Recently, the law changed,
0:22:28 > 0:22:32making squatting in residential properties a criminal offence,
0:22:32 > 0:22:34but not in commercial ones,
0:22:34 > 0:22:39where landlords still have to go through the courts to get an eviction.
0:22:40 > 0:22:46So squatters have started moving into an increasing number of empty business premises.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50And today, enforcement officers Lawrence and Kev are in west London
0:22:50 > 0:22:53to deal with just such a case.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57We've got a Writ of Possession for a pub called the Cross Keys just off Cheyne Walk.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00It's 6 o'clock in the morning and we're going in now.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05Andrew Bourne's loss-making pub has been shut for six months.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Four weeks ago, some uninvited guests moved in.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Mr Bourne's obtained a Writ of Possession
0:23:12 > 0:23:15and it's now Lawrence and Kev's job, with four colleagues,
0:23:15 > 0:23:19to remove the squatters and return the pub to him.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22There are people up, there's lights on.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26There shouldn't be any problems, but you never know.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29We'll be splitting up into teams, covering different floors.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33First of all, they need to gain entry
0:23:33 > 0:23:36as the squatters have changed the locks.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Let's go.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45- That's it.- And they're in.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54But a second door stands between the enforcement officers and the inside of the pub.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Time for the crowbar again.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01Enforcement officers!
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Who's got the torch?
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Up to the first floor. First floor.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11Enforcement officers.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15They spread out.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19They need to check every room to see what's inside.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22- Anyone in here?- No.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26And it's not long before they find what they're looking for...
0:24:31 > 0:24:34..two squatters, illegally occupying someone else's property
0:24:34 > 0:24:36and enjoying its comforts.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40The television's on and they've made themselves at home.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44They put up no objections and leave quickly.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47The job now is to secure the premises
0:24:47 > 0:24:53and check the rest of the building for any other squatters that might need removing.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57Andy's outside, keeping them out, because there's some gone out already.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02We'll work our way down systematically and do the basement in a sec.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05And they soon find the pub's most recent patrons
0:25:05 > 0:25:08have left something more sinister for them -
0:25:08 > 0:25:11a booby trap attached to the door,
0:25:11 > 0:25:14meant to bring down boxes of glasses onto anyone entering.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17..open the door up and it pulls on there
0:25:17 > 0:25:21and all the glasses come down.
0:25:22 > 0:25:27It turns out the sheriffs had a closer shave than they realised.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30We'll just check out the loo.
0:25:30 > 0:25:36Luckily, the other squatters that were in the building have already vacated it.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38- There's definitely been a lot more here.- Oh, yes.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42Just at the moment, there's only two of them, so...
0:25:43 > 0:25:46It seems advanced word of the impending eviction
0:25:46 > 0:25:50has scared the majority of the squatters away.
0:25:50 > 0:25:51The owner's now on site
0:25:51 > 0:25:55and takes his time inspecting every room of his property.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59- Two.- There were two. - We were expecting a lot more.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01I escorted them out when they got to the ground floor.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05They didn't say anything to me, they just walked past.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07The pub has been left in a mess,
0:26:07 > 0:26:12with food and drink detritus everywhere and the office room a shambles.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15But the building is mercifully free of graffiti and structural damage.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18I think the original ones might've gone
0:26:18 > 0:26:20once they knew the writ had been obtained,
0:26:20 > 0:26:25because there was a notice saying "We'll only go under a Writ of Possession".
0:26:25 > 0:26:27New locks are put in
0:26:27 > 0:26:32and it will only be the owner, Andrew Bourne, that has the keys to them.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35For him, it's a welcome relief to finally get his pub back.
0:26:37 > 0:26:38It's been a long ordeal,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41but we're just very pleased
0:26:41 > 0:26:44to finally get rid of the squatters that were in the pub.
0:26:44 > 0:26:50It would be beneficial to commercial property owners like ourselves
0:26:50 > 0:26:54to have the law on our side, which currently it isn't.
0:26:54 > 0:26:59It's a civil matter currently, which we'd prefer it were a criminal matter.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03The whole thing might have been an ordeal for the owner,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06but for Lawrence it's a job well done.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09There were two guys on the first floor and that was it.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13We all went to different floors and we only found two.
0:27:14 > 0:27:19There could've been loads of people in there. There's still alcohol in there.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22There's still a pump working on the ground floor.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26We could've found a load of semi-conscious drunks in there, to be fair!
0:27:26 > 0:27:29You can never knock it when it goes smoothly and easily.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32No hassle, no injuries is the main thing.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34- Happy for us to go now?- Yes.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38- Brilliant. Thanks a lot.- Thank you. You know where we are if you need us.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41- Come on, then, chaps.- Are we done? - Let's go and find a caff.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45With that, it's job done for the sheriffs.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48This property at least has been returned to its rightful owner.
0:27:48 > 0:27:54But no-one knows which building the squatters will choose as their next residence.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04Two hours after they arrived,
0:28:04 > 0:28:08Marc and Tony are still at the car dealers in Surrey.
0:28:08 > 0:28:13They're trying to get disgruntled customer Clive Nichol £3,300
0:28:13 > 0:28:17a court says he's owed for being sold a faulty car.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19We took it to a SEAT garage
0:28:19 > 0:28:22and they spent half a day looking at all the problems,
0:28:22 > 0:28:25and there's more they didn't have time to investigate.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31The sheriffs are still waiting for the tow truck to remove the Audi they've clamped.
0:28:31 > 0:28:36They've got proof it belongs to the person on the writ - Sami Alsilawi.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38But to complicate matters, a second man -
0:28:38 > 0:28:42who says he runs a new business at the site, Yorktown Motors -
0:28:42 > 0:28:46claims to have since bought the Audi and intends to prove it.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51- What have we got here?- Give us that.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55And here he comes...
0:28:55 > 0:28:58You told me you had nothing to do with him,
0:28:58 > 0:29:01you didn't know who they were, it was an empty yard,
0:29:01 > 0:29:03but he went out and bought that car on Friday.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05- I bought it cash from him -- No.
0:29:05 > 0:29:10- Why would he buy a car on Friday when he's no longer trading? - You can ask him.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14You need to get him on the phone because we're going to seize the vehicle.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16Why don't we stop telling lies?
0:29:16 > 0:29:21Let's go in here and have a look at receipts, shall we? There's receipts for sales of cars.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23This car was bought last week, yes?
0:29:23 > 0:29:27This one was last week.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Or just over a week ago, actually.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31Suddenly, another man appears
0:29:31 > 0:29:34who isn't best pleased to see our camera.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36Don't push! Don't push! Don't push!
0:29:36 > 0:29:38And he wants the sheriffs out, too.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41- You could please leave the premises? - No.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44If you don't pay the debt, the car goes.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48It's the director of Sandhurst Bridge Cars, Sami Alsilawi.
0:29:48 > 0:29:53He says he's not interested in paying and that his business is no longer there.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56Where does it say that?!
0:29:56 > 0:29:58But Marc's not beaten that easily.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02He points out that Clive's writ is in Mr Alsilawi's personal name,
0:30:02 > 0:30:06and so, he believes, is the Audi they've clamped.
0:30:06 > 0:30:07It's in your name.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09It's Sandhurst Bridge Cars. It's not Sami.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12- Where does it say -? - Sandhurst Bridge Cars!
0:30:12 > 0:30:16- It doesn't say "Limited"! - I was the company director. - But it's in your name.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20- It's a limited company. It's a limited liability. - It's in your name.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24- No, it's a limited company. - There is no "Limited" on that!
0:30:24 > 0:30:26It doesn't say that on there!
0:30:26 > 0:30:31We keep filming as the argument continues on the forecourt.
0:30:31 > 0:30:32Let go!
0:30:32 > 0:30:38Marc wants to know what Mr Alsilawi's even doing at a garage he says he no longer runs.
0:30:38 > 0:30:43- I'm coming to buy a car. I don't own this place. - You bought five cars on Friday!
0:30:43 > 0:30:45What are you doing?
0:30:45 > 0:30:49This is not Sandhurst Bridge Cars. Sandhurst Bridge Cars moved out.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53Just because you show me a sign, doesn't mean it's nothing to do with you.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57- You go and do your homework and come back.- I've done my homework.
0:30:57 > 0:30:58I'm not going away.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02Suddenly, Mr Alsilawi wants to speak to us.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05He continues to dispute the court's judgment,
0:31:05 > 0:31:09saying he doesn't believe it should ever have been brought against Sandhurst Bridge Cars.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12I went to court and I said, "It's not my company.
0:31:12 > 0:31:18"My company was established in September 2011, and it's still down to me."
0:31:18 > 0:31:20The company that used to be here was Johnny Cars, or whatever,
0:31:20 > 0:31:23and my company started in September last year.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25Mr Alsilawi is convinced
0:31:25 > 0:31:29there's no way the writ can be in his name personally.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32- It's not in my name. - It is in your name!
0:31:32 > 0:31:37All that Marc and Tony need to know is on the High Court writ in black and white.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40Read the line which says "Defendant".
0:31:40 > 0:31:43What does the first bit say?
0:31:43 > 0:31:47- Sami Alsilawi.- It's in your name. - But it's not my car.
0:31:47 > 0:31:52Sami, you're not listening to me. It's not in the company name. It's in your name.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56We're going round in circles. That is your car, I don't care what you say, and it's going.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00- It's not going. I sold it to him. - It is going. It's going.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02It's not going. It's going.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05- I can't get a word in.- It's one of them, "I don't want to listen."
0:32:05 > 0:32:07It is. He doesn't want to listen.
0:32:07 > 0:32:12While Mr Alsilawi and the Yorktown Motors boss head off for a private word,
0:32:12 > 0:32:18Marc and Tony await the arrival of the tow truck and savour some peace and quiet.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22- Just wait for them. - I'm not interested any more.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25The car's going. Unless he wants to shell out for it, it's going.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27He can do it the easy way or the other way.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30We'll just have to call the police at the end of the day.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33- But I don't want to go down that route.- No.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35My legs are aching because they're getting cold.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39But it's not long before the car dealers are back.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41This time, they claim to have proof
0:32:41 > 0:32:45that Sami did sell the Audi to Yorktown Motors and no longer owns it -
0:32:45 > 0:32:48a receipt.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50You've just done it!
0:32:50 > 0:32:53- Well, it's a receipt. - We're not idiots.- It's a receipt.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56- No.- Now you're insulting us.
0:32:56 > 0:33:01- Don't treat me like an idiot. You've just done the receipt. - It doesn't matter.- It does matter.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03This proves it's his car.
0:33:03 > 0:33:08With the sheriffs' patience being stretched to the limit, finally the tow truck arrives.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10Don't treat us like idiots.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14You alright, guys? How you doing?
0:33:14 > 0:33:17It's in there, but I'm a bit...
0:33:17 > 0:33:21I think they're going to try and stop us taking it out.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23Marc isn't prepared to argue any more.
0:33:23 > 0:33:24He just wants the car
0:33:24 > 0:33:29so he can get Clive and his family the money that's rightfully theirs.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32- We're going to take the car. - You're not taking the car.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35- I'm taking the car. - You're not taking the car.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37It belongs to this gentleman.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40I'm not going to get into a stupid fight over this, OK?
0:33:40 > 0:33:43- We'll just call the police. - Call the police, that's fine.
0:33:43 > 0:33:48- Just purely to stop a breach of the peace with you. - That's fine. Phone the police.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50Hello. Can I have the police, please?
0:33:50 > 0:33:54With the tow truck waiting and the situation liable to get out of hand,
0:33:54 > 0:33:58Marc decides he has no choice but to call for backup.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02Coming up, we'll see if Marc can leave the garage
0:34:02 > 0:34:06with either the money he's after or the Audi.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08- Go on, run me over. - HORN BEEPS
0:34:08 > 0:34:11And we'll meet Randeep Dhesi.
0:34:11 > 0:34:16She was promised a fairytale photographic record of the happiest day of her life,
0:34:16 > 0:34:19but ended up taking the photographer to court.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22I can't get those memories. You won't be able to video that again.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25The sheriffs go in search of her money.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27We're not trying to be pushy.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29And how will Lawrence and Kev get on
0:34:29 > 0:34:33when they visit one of the world's largest aircraft manufacturers
0:34:33 > 0:34:36to ask for £42,000?
0:34:47 > 0:34:48On the road again
0:34:48 > 0:34:51are enforcement officers Lawrence and Kev.
0:34:51 > 0:34:56We're in Ashford in Kent, on our way to Mercury Windows Limited.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04An employee of the company worked there for 10 years,
0:35:04 > 0:35:09before being dismissed without warning or notice pay.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11He doesn't wish to be identified.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15The case went to court, where the company contested it.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18The judge agreed with the ex-employee
0:35:18 > 0:35:23and ordered Mercury Windows to pay him £6,800,
0:35:23 > 0:35:26but he's yet to receive a penny.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28Now it's a matter for the sheriffs.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32- Hello, mate. Mercury Windows Limited, yes?- OK.
0:35:32 > 0:35:33We've got a High Court writ.
0:35:33 > 0:35:38We're here today to seize goods to the value of £8,188.49 pence,
0:35:38 > 0:35:42with a potential to remove them and sell them at auction.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45Nothing's owned by Mercury Windows.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48Straight away, the staff member tells them
0:35:48 > 0:35:51that although this is the company's registered address,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54nothing at the site belong to Mercury Windows.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57Unsurprisingly, Lawrence isn't convinced
0:35:57 > 0:36:00and demands to speak to the company director.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04Hello? They want to talk to you.
0:36:04 > 0:36:05Hello, sir.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09My name's Mr Grix, I'm an enforcement officer. I'm here with a High Court writ.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12The boss, Michael Warren, is quick to say
0:36:12 > 0:36:16that as no assets there are registered to Mercury Windows,
0:36:16 > 0:36:21there's nothing they can seize to cover the company's debt to its former employee.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24Lawrence explains it's not quite that simple.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27Unless there's proof to back up his story,
0:36:27 > 0:36:31this enforcement - to recover the money owed to the former employee -
0:36:31 > 0:36:33is going ahead as planned.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35We would need confirmation.
0:36:35 > 0:36:40My colleague's going to take an inventory anyway. He's started doing that.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43I'm seizing anything on these premises that's got any value.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48It's down to whoever does own it to prove that they own it.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51So, who owns the assets here?
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Tutt Hill Property Limited?
0:36:53 > 0:36:57And are you a director of Tutt Hill Property Ltd, as well?
0:36:57 > 0:37:00Lawrence's grilling of company director Michael Warren
0:37:00 > 0:37:03is quickly giving him an idea of what's happened here.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06All the assets at the Mercury Windows base
0:37:06 > 0:37:08have been transferred to another company,
0:37:08 > 0:37:11which Mr Warren is also a director of -
0:37:11 > 0:37:13Tutt Hill Property Limited.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17This is perfectly legal and could be bad news for the sheriffs,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20but Lawrence isn't ready to back down yet.
0:37:20 > 0:37:26And there's a financial trail to show where one company bought assets from another, is there?
0:37:26 > 0:37:30It needs to be a full inventory of what was transferred.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33It can't just be 15 desks, five computers.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36Everything has to be detailed specifically.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39If you're able to get that to us, that would be a start
0:37:39 > 0:37:43and then we can exclude things that are on your list. OK?
0:37:43 > 0:37:44Bye-bye.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46He's going to email it over here.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50A few minutes later, an email arrives with the inventory,
0:37:50 > 0:37:56supposedly listing all the assets that Tutt Hill Property Ltd bought from Mercury Windows.
0:37:56 > 0:38:01But Lawrence isn't impressed. He gets back onto the boss.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04We've seen your inventory. I don't know if your guy told you.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08From our point of view, it's not worth the paper it's written on.
0:38:08 > 0:38:09If you were buying a car,
0:38:09 > 0:38:14you wouldn't expect a receipt from the dealer saying "A vehicle", would you?
0:38:14 > 0:38:18There needs to be some way of proving what is what.
0:38:18 > 0:38:24But today, he's facing an adversary whose attention to detail rivals his own.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26There's photographs of everything, is there?
0:38:26 > 0:38:29That's what we need to see. We need to see the photographs.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Cheers. Bye.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35Apparently, there's photos to go with all the items.
0:38:35 > 0:38:41The man says the photos will prove all the company's assets have been sold to the other firm.
0:38:41 > 0:38:46But as a stickler for detail, Lawrence wants to check every photo.
0:38:46 > 0:38:51Go back to the first picture so I can see the two air compressors.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53It's bad news.
0:38:53 > 0:38:58So far, the photos are matching up to the assets on the boss's list.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00Two microcells, yes.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Lawrence might have to admit defeat.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06He's got one last card to play.
0:39:06 > 0:39:11What I need to see now is the bank statement...
0:39:11 > 0:39:15..showing these amounts, either separately or together,
0:39:15 > 0:39:18going between the two different companies.
0:39:18 > 0:39:23Lawrence listens with bated breath as the staff member calls his boss again.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25They're saying can you go on and do the online banking
0:39:25 > 0:39:29and show them where this money's been paid?
0:39:29 > 0:39:32If the company director can provide proof of the transaction,
0:39:32 > 0:39:35this enforcement is dead and buried.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40It hasn't been paid? It's owed?
0:39:41 > 0:39:43- Right, OK. - Right, we're taking it, then.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49It's the breakthrough the sheriffs desperately needed.
0:39:49 > 0:39:54Despite the assets' ownership being transferred from Mercury Windows to the other company,
0:39:54 > 0:39:57no money has passed between them.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00Lawrence takes over the call to tell Mr Warren
0:40:00 > 0:40:04that as far as he's concerned, the sale is null and void.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07The goods are going because they still belong to Mercury Windows.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11No. It all still belongs to Mercury Windows.
0:40:11 > 0:40:12Yes, it does.
0:40:12 > 0:40:17You've now admitted to me that funds were never transferred. This invoice has never been paid.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20Those assets still belong to Mercury Windows.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22It doesn't matter.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24They've never been purchased.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Sensing victory, he turns the pressure up.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31The transfer paperwork was drawn up three days before the tribunal.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35I can see you've already tried to transfer the assets out into the name of another company,
0:40:35 > 0:40:38so I now believe the goods to be in jeopardy,
0:40:38 > 0:40:40so I will be removing them today.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44At this point, Michael Warren performs a major u-turn
0:40:44 > 0:40:47and says he'd like to pay in full.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51Not a problem. We catch everybody by surprise!
0:40:51 > 0:40:53I have, yes. Bye-bye.
0:40:53 > 0:40:59Lawrence's top-notch negotiating has got the desired effect.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01Here we go.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04There's that one and the card.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06There's the receipt. Thanks, gents.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09- Cheers.- Cheers, guys. - See you later.- Bye-bye.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12Dealing with someone of Lawrence's experience
0:41:12 > 0:41:16and not having your documents in place is asking for trouble.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19With the full amount owed to the former employee collected,
0:41:19 > 0:41:22it's a superb result for the sheriffs.
0:41:31 > 0:41:37When you think back to your wedding, it's hopefully with nothing but happy memories.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41For Randeep Desai, however, that's not the case.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43She was left heartbroken and out of pocket
0:41:43 > 0:41:48after coming into contact with a woeful wedding photographer.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56Following a whirlwind engagement,
0:41:56 > 0:42:02she and husband-to-be Amardeep were planning a traditional two-day Sikh celebration.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04Hopes and expectations were very high.
0:42:04 > 0:42:09It was something that we've planned for over a year. It's very special.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11It's a day that you won't get again.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15Looking for a photographer, Randeep was recommended Kash Mohammed,
0:42:15 > 0:42:19who ran a wedding photography business in east London.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23I went over to have a look at his work. It was really good.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27I decided to go with Kash on that basis.
0:42:27 > 0:42:32And in this case, Kash cost cash. And lots of it.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36Randeep was due to pay him £3,300 in total,
0:42:36 > 0:42:39for which he'd give her a DVD of the wedding
0:42:39 > 0:42:43and two copies of a 60-page storybook wedding album
0:42:43 > 0:42:46shot by a professional photographer, hired for the occasion.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50The price also included a pre-wedding shoot
0:42:50 > 0:42:52in a location of the couple's choice.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56Randeep wanted hers amongst the world-famous landmarks of Central London.
0:42:56 > 0:43:02I wanted to have the iconic wheel and the Tower Bridge
0:43:02 > 0:43:06and, erm, things that really...
0:43:06 > 0:43:09..kind of centre on London and what it is.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12Instead, he asked us to come to Brixton!
0:43:12 > 0:43:16So I was like, "OK. It's not really what we planned out."
0:43:16 > 0:43:20But he was quite insistent, so I kind of agreed reluctantly.
0:43:21 > 0:43:24Even the best photographer in the world
0:43:24 > 0:43:27would be hard-pressed to find a world-famous landmark in Brixton.
0:43:27 > 0:43:29Despite this,
0:43:29 > 0:43:34Randeep felt it was too late to change wedding photographer.
0:43:34 > 0:43:35The special day came
0:43:35 > 0:43:39and the wedding itself was everything Randeep had hoped for.
0:43:39 > 0:43:44But with the nuptials over, things started to go wrong.
0:43:44 > 0:43:47Randeep was shown the professional photographer's photos,
0:43:47 > 0:43:49picked her favourite 150,
0:43:49 > 0:43:52and waited for them to be put into the storybook wedding album,
0:43:52 > 0:43:54which never came.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57Eventually, a year and a half after the wedding,
0:43:57 > 0:44:00she got a disc with her wedding photos.
0:44:00 > 0:44:05The only problem was, it didn't include any pictures taken by the professional
0:44:05 > 0:44:08because Kash hadn't paid him.
0:44:08 > 0:44:12The only pictures on the disc were the ones Kash took himself.
0:44:12 > 0:44:15The album didn't include the pictures I had chosen.
0:44:15 > 0:44:18There were 40 pages instead of 60,
0:44:18 > 0:44:21and it was haphazard, just put together.
0:44:21 > 0:44:23There was no thought into it whatsoever.
0:44:23 > 0:44:27It was just a horrible album to look at.
0:44:27 > 0:44:31And the DVD was a video nasty.
0:44:31 > 0:44:34It had a lot of jolty moments,
0:44:34 > 0:44:37there was a lot of repeat editing,
0:44:37 > 0:44:41like when I came into the temple,
0:44:41 > 0:44:44he had me coming in twice, so he's obviously not edited it.
0:44:44 > 0:44:48I'm not sure whether you're familiar with Sikh ceremonies,
0:44:48 > 0:44:51but you have to go around the Holy Book four times.
0:44:51 > 0:44:54He had me going around about seven or eight.
0:44:54 > 0:44:57It was just a farce.
0:44:57 > 0:44:59A lot of takes of people's backs...
0:44:59 > 0:45:03It's just not nice to watch.
0:45:03 > 0:45:05There was a lot of family that couldn't come,
0:45:05 > 0:45:08so they've been asking my mum for the video.
0:45:08 > 0:45:12I couldn't give it to them at the standard that he gave me.
0:45:12 > 0:45:13It was just too poor.
0:45:13 > 0:45:16You can't get those memories.
0:45:16 > 0:45:19You just won't be able to video that again.
0:45:19 > 0:45:23Appalled by what she'd received, she demanded her money back
0:45:23 > 0:45:25but nothing came.
0:45:25 > 0:45:30At her wits' end, Randeep took Kash to the Small Claims Court.
0:45:30 > 0:45:34He admitted liability and agreed to pay her back the money,
0:45:34 > 0:45:37but still Randeep hasn't received a penny.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41With nothing left to lose, she's had to turn to the sheriffs.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45On a rainy morning in east London,
0:45:45 > 0:45:50Marc and Lawrence have taken on the job of getting Randeep her money back.
0:45:50 > 0:45:54They're on their way to a certain wedding photographer's registered business address,
0:45:54 > 0:45:58which they suspect is also his home.
0:45:58 > 0:46:03We're off to see Kashif Mohammed in east London, in E6.
0:46:03 > 0:46:08Erm... He owes £3,314.
0:46:11 > 0:46:15The sheriffs arrive and head straight to the front door.
0:46:15 > 0:46:17DOORBELL RINGS
0:46:20 > 0:46:24- Morning.- Morning. - I'm after Kashif Mohammed.
0:46:24 > 0:46:26The man isn't Kash Mohammed,
0:46:26 > 0:46:29but says he did live here but has since moved out.
0:46:29 > 0:46:34He says it's the third time someone's come looking for him.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37I'm just going to go and have a look round the side.
0:46:37 > 0:46:39While Marc talks to the man at the door,
0:46:39 > 0:46:42Lawrence wants to check on something.
0:46:42 > 0:46:45He's heard that the photographer has a studio somewhere on site,
0:46:45 > 0:46:49full of potentially seizable equipment.
0:46:50 > 0:46:52There's definitely something in the extension at the back
0:46:52 > 0:46:56but to find out what, he'd have to gain entry to the house.
0:46:56 > 0:47:01He can only do this if a door or window is left open and unattended.
0:47:01 > 0:47:05By the time Lawrence returns, the homeowner has arrived
0:47:05 > 0:47:07and it's Kash Mohammed's wife.
0:47:07 > 0:47:13She says she and her husband are separated and he moved out six or seven years ago.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15Lawrence is suspicious.
0:47:15 > 0:47:17We've got a judgement against him
0:47:17 > 0:47:19from a claim which is within the time that he's left,
0:47:19 > 0:47:23with him operating a photographic studio from these premises.
0:47:23 > 0:47:27Are you happy for us to come in and check that there is no studio at the back of the property?
0:47:27 > 0:47:30I'm not trying to be pushy about it.
0:47:30 > 0:47:33Mrs Mohammed is not happy about them entering her property.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36But while she goes off to contact her solicitor,
0:47:36 > 0:47:39she leaves the front door unattended.
0:47:39 > 0:47:42It's all the opportunity Lawrence needs to enter the house
0:47:42 > 0:47:45to see whether there's a studio there.
0:47:45 > 0:47:47We're in.
0:47:47 > 0:47:49Thank you very much.
0:47:49 > 0:47:54We're going to do a diligent search of the property, because we gained peaceful entry.
0:47:54 > 0:47:56High Court enforcement officers
0:47:56 > 0:47:59are entitled to enter a residential property named in a writ,
0:47:59 > 0:48:02but they cannot force their way in.
0:48:02 > 0:48:04In this case, it's Lawrence's last resort
0:48:04 > 0:48:07if he's to get Randeep back her money.
0:48:07 > 0:48:10Unhappy about having Marc and Lawrence in the house,
0:48:10 > 0:48:12the family calls the police.
0:48:12 > 0:48:18As expected, they confirm that Marc and Lawrence are within their rights in entering.
0:48:18 > 0:48:21Inside, Lawrence and Marc conduct a lengthy search.
0:48:21 > 0:48:24In hour and a half later, it's all over.
0:48:24 > 0:48:28Lawrence's detective skills have been very much to the fore.
0:48:28 > 0:48:30From the other side of the room,
0:48:30 > 0:48:32I saw about three or four millimetres of key
0:48:32 > 0:48:35sticking off the top of a high shelf.
0:48:35 > 0:48:37Reached up and there was the bunch of keys.
0:48:37 > 0:48:43Out into the back door, and there was a 20-foot by 15-foot photographic studio,
0:48:43 > 0:48:46with Apple computers in it, erm,
0:48:46 > 0:48:51a tower unit for burning CDs and DVDs.
0:48:51 > 0:48:56A pool table, a running machine...! It was a big old room out the back.
0:48:56 > 0:48:58We've seized everything from there.
0:48:58 > 0:49:02The threat of Lawrence's paper seizure of her husband's assets
0:49:02 > 0:49:06persuaded Mrs Mohammed to arrange payment in full.
0:49:06 > 0:49:09We seized sufficient goods to cover the debt and got a payment.
0:49:09 > 0:49:12That's about as good as it gets, really, for a residential.
0:49:12 > 0:49:16After the money was received by the sheriffs,
0:49:16 > 0:49:20Randeep finally got the photographs she'd chosen from the professional photographer,
0:49:20 > 0:49:25thanks in no small part to Lawrence and Marc.
0:49:25 > 0:49:27Mrs Mohammed maintains that...
0:49:46 > 0:49:50In the van and on the M4 to Bristol are Lawrence and Kev.
0:49:52 > 0:49:56They're going to pay a visit to a major multi-national company.
0:49:56 > 0:50:02The man who's asked for the sheriffs' help is solicitor Amar Alyas.
0:50:02 > 0:50:04He specialises in fighting for compensation
0:50:04 > 0:50:09for people that have suffered deafness through working in noisy environments.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12He recently took on the case of John.
0:50:12 > 0:50:18John worked on the assembly line for aircraft manufacturing giant Airbus UK and its predecessors
0:50:18 > 0:50:20for over 28 years.
0:50:21 > 0:50:23Soon after taking early retirement,
0:50:23 > 0:50:28he developed hearing problems and was diagnosed with tinnitus.
0:50:32 > 0:50:34The tinnitus was quite severe,
0:50:34 > 0:50:39so if you can imagine spending 20 minutes every hour
0:50:39 > 0:50:43having a hissing and a buzzing noise in your ears every day,
0:50:43 > 0:50:46it's very depressing.
0:50:46 > 0:50:50A medical expert diagnosed him as having 10 decibels of hearing loss,
0:50:50 > 0:50:52due to excessive noise.
0:50:52 > 0:50:56That's the same amount that a member of the public would expect to lose
0:50:56 > 0:51:00over half a lifetime of normal hearing loss.
0:51:00 > 0:51:02Armed with the expert's report,
0:51:02 > 0:51:07Amar took Airbus UK to court, but they failed to contest the case.
0:51:07 > 0:51:10John won a judgment of £31,000.
0:51:10 > 0:51:13It's money he desperately needs to buy specialist hearing aids,
0:51:13 > 0:51:16not available on the NHS.
0:51:17 > 0:51:21Despite his court victory, Airbus UK still haven't paid up.
0:51:21 > 0:51:26John's last hope now lies with the sheriffs.
0:51:33 > 0:51:36We've just arrived in Bristol
0:51:36 > 0:51:40and we're on our way at the moment to Airbus UK Ltd.
0:51:40 > 0:51:41If it's got assets,
0:51:41 > 0:51:44we can seize them and potentially remove them
0:51:44 > 0:51:47to be sold to clear the debt.
0:51:49 > 0:51:53Arriving at Airbus HQ, they park up and head in.
0:51:53 > 0:51:56Security is heavy, unsurprisingly,
0:51:56 > 0:51:59for one of the world's two largest aircraft manufacturers.
0:51:59 > 0:52:04We're asked not to enter the premises, but Lawrence and Kev go inside.
0:52:04 > 0:52:08I'll show you some ID. My name's Mr Grix.
0:52:08 > 0:52:12I'm here to execute a High Court writ against Airbus UK Ltd.
0:52:12 > 0:52:15The amount owed has risen to over £42,000,
0:52:15 > 0:52:20due to court fees, sheriffs' fees, interest and VAT.
0:52:20 > 0:52:21It might sound like a lot,
0:52:21 > 0:52:25but for a company with revenues of over £26 billion,
0:52:25 > 0:52:27it's small change.
0:52:27 > 0:52:31It's now up to Lawrence to convince them of that.
0:52:32 > 0:52:37We're here today to seize goods to the value of £42,000.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40Airbus may know a lot about building planes,
0:52:40 > 0:52:44but they're not so clued up on how the High Court enforcement system works.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46Lawrence fills them in.
0:52:46 > 0:52:51There's a County Court Judgment against the company. I've got a copy of the writ here.
0:52:51 > 0:52:52The important bit is here.
0:52:52 > 0:52:57"You are now commanded to seize the goods, chattels and other property of the defendant,
0:52:57 > 0:53:00"authorised by law."
0:53:00 > 0:53:06Soon after, Lawrence and Kev are led off to a nearby building, while we continue to wait outside.
0:53:06 > 0:53:10John's been waiting nearly five months for payment from Airbus
0:53:10 > 0:53:12and, so far, got nothing.
0:53:12 > 0:53:16Lawrence and Kev, on the other hand, have been inside for less than an hour
0:53:16 > 0:53:18when they finally emerge.
0:53:19 > 0:53:21Basically, we collected full payment!
0:53:21 > 0:53:24They took us down to the main office,
0:53:24 > 0:53:28where head of legal and head of accounts is,
0:53:28 > 0:53:31and did a bank transfer for the full amount.
0:53:31 > 0:53:32So another job Paid In Full.
0:53:33 > 0:53:39That's a staggering £42,426.51.
0:53:39 > 0:53:44Most importantly for John, it means he's finally getting his £10,000 hearing aid.
0:53:44 > 0:53:48No wonder Lawrence is keen to share the good news.
0:53:48 > 0:53:52We just collected 42 grand off of, erm, Airbus.
0:53:55 > 0:53:57Airbus told us...
0:54:11 > 0:54:15In Surrey, Marc and Tony are locked into a stand-off at a car dealers
0:54:15 > 0:54:17with Sami Alsilawi.
0:54:17 > 0:54:20They're trying to get back £3,300,
0:54:20 > 0:54:23awarded by a court to customer Clive Nichol.
0:54:23 > 0:54:27We're going round in circles. That is your car, I don't care what you say, and it's going.
0:54:27 > 0:54:29- It's not going.- It is.
0:54:29 > 0:54:31The police are on their way, to keep the peace,
0:54:31 > 0:54:36while the sheriffs remove a car belonging to Mr Alsilawi.
0:54:36 > 0:54:37But as they wait,
0:54:37 > 0:54:40he has another bright idea of how to stop them -
0:54:40 > 0:54:44using another vehicle to block his seized car
0:54:44 > 0:54:46inside the forecourt gates.
0:54:48 > 0:54:52- No.- You have to move. - I don't have to move.
0:54:52 > 0:54:53Don't drive at me.
0:54:53 > 0:54:55Are they on their way?
0:54:55 > 0:54:57Just tell them he's run you over.
0:54:57 > 0:55:00Go on, run me over.
0:55:01 > 0:55:04Tell them he's run you over.
0:55:06 > 0:55:10Experienced enforcement officers Marc and Tony are less than impressed
0:55:10 > 0:55:12and have an easy solution of their own.
0:55:12 > 0:55:16If you don't move this, we'll just drag it out the way.
0:55:16 > 0:55:18We are going to drag this out the way.
0:55:20 > 0:55:24It's an offence to obstruct a High Court sheriff in executing their duties.
0:55:24 > 0:55:28Things could soon get a lot worse for Sami Alsilawi.
0:55:28 > 0:55:33You're going to get nicked for obstructing if you don't sort yourself out.
0:55:33 > 0:55:37Not to mention his sheriffs' bill, which is increasing by the hour.
0:55:37 > 0:55:42You can charge us waiting time and we'll charge him, if that's all right.
0:55:42 > 0:55:45Are you alright to wait? No worries.
0:55:45 > 0:55:48Here's the gendarmes now. We'll get this sorted now.
0:55:48 > 0:55:50- Hello, ladies.- Hello there. - All right?
0:55:50 > 0:55:53After four long, frustrating hours at the garage,
0:55:53 > 0:55:59two Police Community Support Officers arrive to act as peacekeepers.
0:55:59 > 0:56:02Tony briefs the PCSOs on what's been going on.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05- That's his personal name. That's the address.- Yes, yes.
0:56:05 > 0:56:08- I can vouch for that being him.- Yes.
0:56:08 > 0:56:11We're just here to prevent a breach of the peace.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14You need to move the vehicle and let them get on with their job.
0:56:14 > 0:56:20The PCSOs' presence seems to have had a calming effect on Mr Alsilawi,
0:56:20 > 0:56:23as he watches Tony remove the clamp from his car.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31But as the sheriffs begin their removal of the Audi,
0:56:31 > 0:56:35Mr Alsilawi again decides he's had enough of our camera.
0:56:37 > 0:56:39- Switch off the camera.- No. Sorry.
0:56:39 > 0:56:41Switch off the camera.
0:56:43 > 0:56:46Luckily, the PCSOs are on hand
0:56:46 > 0:56:50and make sure the Audi's departure goes smoothly.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55And there it goes.
0:56:55 > 0:56:58The car Sami Alsilawi fought so hard to keep
0:56:58 > 0:57:01disappears on the back of a tow truck.
0:57:01 > 0:57:06All right, this is a notice of seizure.
0:57:06 > 0:57:08Marc has some paperwork for Mr Alsilawi,
0:57:08 > 0:57:12which explains his car is now the property of the court.
0:57:13 > 0:57:16And that's your bill - 6,121.50.
0:57:17 > 0:57:20All right?
0:57:20 > 0:57:24- Thank you for your help.- Bye. - Cheers. Bye-bye.
0:57:25 > 0:57:30With a valuable asset seized, to be sold at auction if Mr Alsilawi doesn't pay up,
0:57:30 > 0:57:33it's job done for Marc and Tony today.
0:57:33 > 0:57:37Out of all the jobs I've ever done, I don't think I've been told so many lies before.
0:57:37 > 0:57:40The story changed all the time.
0:57:40 > 0:57:44We weren't ever going to get to the bottom of it, but we've ended up taking the vehicle away.
0:57:44 > 0:57:46What do you want to...?
0:57:46 > 0:57:49Let's go and get a cup of tea or something. I'm absolutely frozen.
0:57:51 > 0:57:54And since we filmed at Sandhurst Bridge Cars,
0:57:54 > 0:57:58the Audi seized by the sheriffs has been sold at auction.
0:57:58 > 0:58:02It raised £3,600, which - after auction fees -
0:58:02 > 0:58:06will go towards paying off the debt to Clive and his family.
0:58:07 > 0:58:11That is fantastic news. It's absolutely brilliant.
0:58:11 > 0:58:14Just the kind of result we were after.
0:58:14 > 0:58:16Brilliant result.
0:58:16 > 0:58:20Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd