0:00:03 > 0:00:05- Meet the sheriffs. - Let's introduce ourselves.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07We're here today to execute a High Court 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 doing my job.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17They're High Court Enforcement Officers charged by law to recover
0:00:17 > 0:00:19what a court says is rightfully yours.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23- I'm not waiting any more. - If you've been ripped off and don't know where to turn...
0:00:23 > 0:00:25I'm ordered to seize goods to clear this debt,
0:00:25 > 0:00:27which could 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 just tell me who you are?- This is an absolute crock. You need to pay this.
0:00:35 > 0:00:40- I've seized your car, sir.- You can either let us through the door or we'll go through the window.
0:00:40 > 0:00:41..it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Just collected 42 grand.
0:00:47 > 0:00:52Coming up, marketing consultant Louisa Nightingale
0:00:52 > 0:00:53doesn't work for free,
0:00:53 > 0:00:56so why didn't this college pay her for her work?
0:00:56 > 0:01:00You can't hire someone and you can't just not pay them.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03The sheriffs go in search of what she's owed.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Whether I kill off the business or not is irrelevant.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08I'm here to execute a writ on behalf of our claimant.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Beth Mercer spent her life savings on a horsebox
0:01:11 > 0:01:14that was unfit for the road.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Looked at it and I went, "He's got to be joking."
0:01:17 > 0:01:20The sheriffs champ at the bit to get her her money back.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Vehicles will be seized if the amount isn't paid within the hour.
0:01:23 > 0:01:28And things get heated when the sheriffs take up a dispute
0:01:28 > 0:01:30with a Luton car yard.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34If it's nothing to do with you, why don't you just tell me who you are?
0:01:39 > 0:01:41In the nation's capital,
0:01:41 > 0:01:43while millions go about their day-to-day business,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46trying to do the same are enforcement officers
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51They're fighting through London traffic
0:01:51 > 0:01:54on their way to their latest job.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56High Court Enforcement Officers,
0:01:56 > 0:01:58commonly known as sheriffs,
0:01:58 > 0:02:00are commanded by the High Court to collect payments
0:02:00 > 0:02:04it's awarded where the person owing the debt has failed to pay.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Today, they're chasing thousands of pounds owed
0:02:09 > 0:02:12by a training college to a woman that did work for them
0:02:12 > 0:02:14but was never paid.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17There it is. College of Accountancy and Management Studies.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19- That who we want?- Yeah.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24My name's Mr Grix. I'm an enforcement officer
0:02:24 > 0:02:26and I'm looking to execute a High Court writ.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Which company is it?
0:02:28 > 0:02:30College of Accountancy and Management Studies Ltd,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32and Genius Tuition.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35We're here today to seize assets sufficient to clear that debt.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42The person they've come to help
0:02:42 > 0:02:45is marketing consultant Louisa Nightingale,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47from the Docklands area of London.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Her problems started when she took the decision
0:02:50 > 0:02:53to leave the company she was working for and go freelance.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01The day after she became self-employed,
0:03:01 > 0:03:04she was approached for work by Jatinder Kaur
0:03:04 > 0:03:07of the College of Accountancy and Management Studies.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11They were looking for ways to get more students into the college.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14As my first client, I was really excited
0:03:14 > 0:03:18and then I went away and did loads of work for them,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21thought of all these plans we could draw up
0:03:21 > 0:03:24of things to help the college.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26I guess that's what freelance is.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30You never know when your next job is coming
0:03:30 > 0:03:34and you've got to be there to just jump at the opportunities, so I did.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Louisa worked for the college for a month,
0:03:37 > 0:03:39putting in long hours and hard work.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43Then she submitted her first invoice to them.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Well, I sent it off but I didn't get a response,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49and normally you would get a confirmation of receipt.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51So I called them up and, "Oh, yes,
0:03:51 > 0:03:53"we did get it and we're processing it,"
0:03:53 > 0:03:56so I was like, OK, great.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59But no payment came.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03In the end, Louisa carried on working for the college
0:04:03 > 0:04:05and its sister business, Genius Tuition,
0:04:05 > 0:04:07for a further two months,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10still without getting a penny in payment.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13And then it got to the point where they then started to say,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15"We don't have any money,"
0:04:15 > 0:04:18so I just thought,
0:04:18 > 0:04:20OK, this isn't good.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23I just thought, how is this even possible?
0:04:23 > 0:04:27You can't hire someone and you just can't not pay them.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31At her wits' end, Louisa didn't know where to turn.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34I'd done all the things - I had a contract,
0:04:34 > 0:04:39we'd signed everything, I did the invoices properly,
0:04:39 > 0:04:41I did late payment invoices, final reminders.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44There was literally nothing else I could do.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47I think they were just hoping that I would just forget about it.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50But I only had a handful of clients,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53not enough to live on, so I really needed the money.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57Finally, Louisa got advice that her best option
0:04:57 > 0:05:00was to take the college to court.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02They didn't contest the case.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06A judgment was issued in Louisa's favour.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09But still, a month on, Louisa hasn't been paid.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13Her only option now lies with the sheriffs.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Aiming to bring Louisa the justice she deserves,
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Lawrence and Kev are still in discussions with staff
0:05:20 > 0:05:24at the College of Accountancy and Management Studies.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28The reception staff tell Lawrence that the College has applied
0:05:28 > 0:05:31for a form of insolvency known as a CVA.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35They think this should stop the sheriffs' enforcement.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Doesn't mean anything to us at the moment.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Just because she's got an insolvency practitioner involved
0:05:41 > 0:05:46two days ago to prepare a company voluntary arrangement,
0:05:46 > 0:05:48that doesn't stop us enforcing today.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50It might not stop him enforcing,
0:05:50 > 0:05:55but a company with money troubles does present Lawrence with problems.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57If it doesn't have any cash,
0:05:57 > 0:05:59they won't be able to pay him.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01His only option would be to seize goods,
0:06:01 > 0:06:03a laborious and expensive process.
0:06:03 > 0:06:09With that in mind, he sends Kev off to see what assets are on site.
0:06:09 > 0:06:10If push comes to shove,
0:06:10 > 0:06:13he could remove and sell them to pay off the debt.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Not very much stuff.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Nothing of any value, really.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25But one item does catch Kev's eye.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30A full set of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33I don't know what they are but I imagine a full set of them
0:06:33 > 0:06:34are quite desirable.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37I imagine they're more than any of the computers.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41Second hand computers are worth next to nothing at auction.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46But the only knowledge Lawrence seeks is how much it's worth.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50He hot foots it to eBay to find out.
0:06:50 > 0:06:51There's loads of them on here.
0:06:51 > 0:06:56- 1984, complete set, 700 quid. - It is a complete set as well.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59It's giving 25 as a full set.
0:06:59 > 0:07:021994, £318.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06Later, we'll see how Lawrence gets on when he's forced to bring out
0:07:06 > 0:07:10the big guns to try and get Louisa her money.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13I'm here to execute a writ on behalf of our claimant.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16If that kills the business off, then so be it.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19You all right? Guv'nor about?
0:07:19 > 0:07:20We're sheriffs from the High Court.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24If you win a county court judgment for over £600
0:07:24 > 0:07:27but don't get paid, all is not lost.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29For a fee of £60, your judgment can be transferred up
0:07:29 > 0:07:32to the High Court for enforcement.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Then you can call in the help of the sheriffs.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39My name's Mr Grix, I'm an enforcement officer.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41They'll take up your cause
0:07:41 > 0:07:44and enforce the writ on the debtor on your behalf.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46We cannot leave until that money hits our bank account.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49They can force entry to commercial premises,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52enter residential properties through open or unlocked doors
0:07:52 > 0:07:56or windows, and seize and remove goods to auction,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58all in the cause of getting you what's rightfully yours.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01I'm coming in any way today, whether you let me or not.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04If they are successful, there's nothing more to pay.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08If not, the only cost is a £60 fee plus VAT.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- See how easy this job is?- We're off.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Heading up the highway to their latest job today
0:08:25 > 0:08:29are enforcement officers Marc Newton and Tony Smith.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31They're off to a used car dealers'
0:08:31 > 0:08:36that owes a disgruntled former customer thousands of pounds.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38We're just on our way up the M1 now to Luton.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42We've got a company called Carland Direct.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45Carland Direct are a garage
0:08:45 > 0:08:49which sold a faulty car to one of their customers, Maryam Awan.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52They fixed the car but then made her pay for repairs,
0:08:52 > 0:08:54so the matter ended up in court.
0:08:54 > 0:08:59Carland Direct didn't attend and the court ruled in Maryam's favour.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02And now she wants her money back.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07Arriving at Carland Direct's vast Luton forecourt,
0:09:07 > 0:09:11Marc and Tony head for the main office.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Can they convince the company they need to pay off this debt?
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Hello, mate. You all right?
0:09:17 > 0:09:20It's about a High Court writ that's been issued.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22- Who for, sorry?- Carland Direct Ltd.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- Who's it from?- Maryam Awan.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28- Talk outside if you don't mind? - Yeah, no problem.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34While the Carland Direct manager has no choice
0:09:34 > 0:09:36but to talk to Marc and Tony,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39we're asked to leave the premises.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42We continue filming from the street.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44The manager says he's just an employee,
0:09:44 > 0:09:48and therefore can't initiate any payment.
0:09:48 > 0:09:49He says the only person who can,
0:09:49 > 0:09:51the director Mr Shabhaz Khan,
0:09:51 > 0:09:53is currently abroad.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Well, you're going to need to get hold of him,
0:09:56 > 0:09:58or someone's going to need to pay this.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01The amount outstanding is £3,239.44.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Problem is, if you don't we're going to start removing.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06We have to seize goods.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08The man says he can't pay the debt,
0:10:08 > 0:10:10and that Marc will have to wait
0:10:10 > 0:10:13until his director arrives back in the UK.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15He says he's supposed to be picking him up,
0:10:15 > 0:10:18but, when questioned by Marc...
0:10:18 > 0:10:22So he's landing at three o'clock and you haven't left yet?
0:10:22 > 0:10:25..he doesn't seem to be sure when he's arriving,
0:10:25 > 0:10:27or even which airport.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30One minute he's coming back in a couple of days,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33then he's coming back in an hour, then you don't know what airport...
0:10:33 > 0:10:35The manager retreats to make arrangements.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39But a whole hour later there's still no sign of any payment.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42So the sheriffs decide to step things up.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- What are you going to do?- Start clamping that one and then that one.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48All right.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55The manager is not happy at all about seeing one of his cars
0:10:55 > 0:10:58being clamped,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01particularly as his own Porsche is sat on the forecourt.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03We're not taking it, we're just seizing it.
0:11:03 > 0:11:08- I'm not waiting any more. - We've been here waiting for an hour.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11The man says he's just an employee,
0:11:11 > 0:11:14but Marc thinks he's more senior than he lets on,
0:11:14 > 0:11:17and capable of initiating payment.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Who are you then? Who are you?
0:11:19 > 0:11:22You're the guy who works here who drives the Porsche, yeah?
0:11:22 > 0:11:25So you must get paid good wages for being a car salesman?
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Don't treat me like an idiot.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30You must have a few quid, driving that.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33With the clamps now out, the manager seems worried enough
0:11:33 > 0:11:35about his Porsche to drive it off
0:11:35 > 0:11:38while Marc and Tony are busy with the Mercedes.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43With the manager seemingly unwilling to resolve the situation,
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Marc decides to instigate his plan B.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49He leaves Tony on the forecourt and heads to his van.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53We've got an address for the director,
0:11:53 > 0:11:55which is just around the corner.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57So as he's gone off, I thought what we might do
0:11:57 > 0:12:00is pop round to the house around the corner.
0:12:00 > 0:12:01We're not getting anywhere
0:12:01 > 0:12:04and I think he thinks we're just going to leave.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09He's going to be in for a bit of a shock, because we don't.
0:12:09 > 0:12:10Well, what a surprise.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13It looks like the manager's had the same idea as Marc,
0:12:13 > 0:12:17and driven his Porsche to the director's house.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20Is he or the director inside?
0:12:24 > 0:12:27With no-one seemingly willing to talk to him,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Marc decides it's time to play hardball.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Give Lawrence a ring and start organising tow trucks for this,
0:12:33 > 0:12:35because the Porsche is parked outside this house
0:12:35 > 0:12:37and he's not opening the door.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39He's just mucking us about here, ain't he?
0:12:39 > 0:12:42Marc thinks the manager's inside the house.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45But in fact he's just around the corner in another car,
0:12:45 > 0:12:47and not in a good mood.
0:12:47 > 0:12:48CAR HORN BLARES
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Oi.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02I'm trying to get hold of the director.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05If you don't mind, I don't consent to you filming me.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- Please explain to me why are you here. If you clamp a vehicle, that's three grand.- Yeah.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13I'm trying to get hold of the person, but it's nothing to do with you, that's what you told me.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17- Why are you here, then?- Because I'm getting lied to constantly. - No, you're not.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Number's there on the board.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21The vehicle you clamp. Now what's the next step?
0:13:21 > 0:13:23We're going to remove it.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26I'm not going to wait, I told you. I'm not going to continue to wait.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Marc wants to know why, if the manager is just an employee,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32he's so worked up about Marc's attempts to get hold
0:13:32 > 0:13:34of the director, Shabhaz Khan.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37If it's nothing to do with you, it's a bit weird how the car
0:13:37 > 0:13:40you drive turns up outside the director's home address,
0:13:40 > 0:13:42but it's nothing to do with you.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Why don't you just tell me who you are? You've obviously got something to hide.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48You could refer to me as Mr Ahmed if you want.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50- That's no problem. That's my surname, Mr Ahmed.- Right.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53So you can call me Mr Ahmed.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56You, if you don't mind pointing that away...
0:13:56 > 0:13:57Why don't we get out of the road,
0:13:57 > 0:13:59because one of us is going to get run over in a minute?
0:13:59 > 0:14:03- If you give me some time the problem will be... - We've given you time.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06You've had an hour and a half and done nothing.
0:14:06 > 0:14:07Our director is not in the UK.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10We're trying to locate him and bring him to you.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Well, I'm going to go back to the car yard
0:14:12 > 0:14:16- because we're getting nowhere here. - Please bear with us. We are trying to help you.- OK, OK.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20Marc heads back to Carland Direct's forecourt.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23He still doesn't know where company director, Shabhaz Khan, is,
0:14:23 > 0:14:26or where any money's coming from.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28If he doesn't get something soon,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32he'll reluctantly have to tow away the cars.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35It's a message that Tony meanwhile has been trying to get across
0:14:35 > 0:14:37to others at Carland Direct.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40He's warned them if they don't pay up,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43they'll get hit by additional towing and sheriff fees.
0:14:49 > 0:14:54Soon after, another Carland Direct employee, Daniel, emerges.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57He may not be the company director,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59but he does agree to pay in full.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Finally, victory for the sheriffs.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Marc and Tony's assertive tactics
0:15:09 > 0:15:13and refusal to get browbeaten have come up trumps.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Carland Direct arrange for the money to be paid.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20They're also keen to put their side of the story.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23By itself, the car's probably about over 100 a month,
0:15:23 > 0:15:26so, you know, one or two, we are going to have a few issues.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29At Carland Direct, if you do have an issue, we do deal with them.
0:15:29 > 0:15:30Happy days. All done.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34You know, if anybody wants to buy any cars, come to Carland Direct,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36we'll be more than happy to...
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Although at times frustrating,
0:15:38 > 0:15:42Marc's got what he wanted from the job - a paid-in-full.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Well, total was about two and a half hours on that job.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50Total collected was £3,239, of which they paid just over 1,000 in cash
0:15:50 > 0:15:52and the rest on a debit card.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56It's another score for the sheriffs, and, more importantly,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59means Mariam Awan getting back the money a court of law says
0:15:59 > 0:16:02is rightfully hers.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Back in north London, Lawrence and Kev are
0:16:10 > 0:16:13at the College of Accountancy & Management Studies.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17They're trying to get nearly £7,000 on behalf of
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Marketing consultant Louisa Nightingale.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24She carried out work for the college but was never paid.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26While the sheriffs are listing assets,
0:16:26 > 0:16:30a consultant for the college arrives to talk to Lawrence.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33He says they're planning on challenging the court award,
0:16:33 > 0:16:36which should prevent Lawrence seizing goods.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39You can't take anything away without anything...
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Well, we can if we believe the goods are in jeopardy.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Which, to be fair, I do.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49Two days ago, wheels have been put in motion for a CVA,
0:16:49 > 0:16:52so basically, the company is trying to get out
0:16:52 > 0:16:55of the majority of its debts, by the sound of it.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59The bottom line is, it needs paying. It should've been paid before now.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02It's got to the stage where CCJs have been issued and not been paid.
0:17:02 > 0:17:03It needs paying.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05While Kev keeps listing,
0:17:05 > 0:17:09the college's solicitor is brought in to discuss the situation
0:17:09 > 0:17:11with Lawrence on the phone.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15He warns that enforcing payment might mean the end for the company.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19But with a live writ, it's not something that will stop Lawrence.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Whether I kill off the business or not is irrelevant.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25I'm here to execute a writ on behalf of our claimant.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27If that kills the business off, then so be it.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29That's not my responsibility.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33It's the responsibility of the directors of the business.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37Dissatisfied with what the college has told him so far,
0:17:37 > 0:17:40Lawrence is getting worried they're not going to pay up.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44So, has the college got funds to settle certainly one of these today?
0:17:44 > 0:17:46The one in the name of the limited company,
0:17:46 > 0:17:49College of Accountancy & Management Studies Limited?
0:17:49 > 0:17:53Is there sufficient funds, £6,212.26, to clear this today?
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Right, then we'll be removing goods.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58Lawrence has been at the college for nearly an hour
0:17:58 > 0:18:00and is getting increasingly frustrated.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04He decides to up the ante in the hope that it might provoke
0:18:04 > 0:18:06the college into paying up.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10He calls in the removal truck, or rather, removal trucks.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13Can you tell Cathy I need a...?
0:18:13 > 0:18:16What are we going to need? A few 7.5 tonners here, aren't we?
0:18:16 > 0:18:20Erm...at least four 7.5 tonners.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23And the four trucks seem to be helping to grease the wheels
0:18:23 > 0:18:26towards payment.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28KEV: He's back again.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- Just had a call from the accountant. - Yep.
0:18:31 > 0:18:36- They're trying to raise something and they'll get back to you in a few minutes.- Trying to raise something?
0:18:36 > 0:18:37- Yeah.- Funds?- Yeah.
0:18:37 > 0:18:42The signs are that at least one of the writs is going to get paid.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44But Lawrence wants to keep the pressure up
0:18:44 > 0:18:46until the money's in his hands.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Have you managed to, erm...
0:18:49 > 0:18:51find four trucks?
0:18:53 > 0:18:55Good, good. Good, good.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Let me know how long they'll be. Hang on.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- Are we getting full payment on this or...?- Yes, you are.- Right.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04It's all right. Just hold off on the trucks for...
0:19:04 > 0:19:06sort of, 15 minutes or so,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09cos we might be getting full payment.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12So, 15 minutes later, Lawrence checks with the office
0:19:12 > 0:19:14to see if any money's been received.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17All right, cheers, Frankie. Bye.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20Yep, they're all in the account.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Right, I'll do you a receipt.
0:19:23 > 0:19:28Of the two writs, he's collected payment in full for one of them
0:19:28 > 0:19:32and listed goods he'll remove at a later date if the second isn't paid.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35We eventually collected full payment of one of the cases.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39It was the larger one. The Genius Tuition is still outstanding.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43We weren't going to get that out of them today.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46A successful afternoon's work for the sheriffs,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49and, more importantly, for Louisa Nightingale.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52But the college didn't learn its lesson there.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56The college tried to get the second writ against Genius Tuition
0:19:56 > 0:20:00set aside. This was eventually rejected by the court.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04And so, four months later, Lawrence and Kev went back.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07This time, our camera was asked to leave straightaway,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09and after lengthy discussions...
0:20:09 > 0:20:12We seized the entire contents of this college
0:20:12 > 0:20:14last time we were here in July.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18She needs to come down here and get this sorted out or we're going to
0:20:18 > 0:20:21have the van up to the doors and we'll start emptying the place.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24..they, too, agreed to pay in full.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Have you got the bank details, have you?
0:20:27 > 0:20:29OK. Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:20:29 > 0:20:34Which means Louisa finally getting every penny she was owed.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37She's come with her sister to celebrate.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41I did expect it to be quite hard for them because I wasn't sure what assets they actually had
0:20:41 > 0:20:43or if they would actually pay up there and then.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47Really massive weight off my shoulders. I can't believe it. I'm so happy.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50All this hard work's been worth it, so, it's just great news!
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- BOTH:- Cheers! To the sheriffs!
0:21:00 > 0:21:04Someone else needing the help of the sheriffs is Dave Simpson.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07He runs a security firm in Bromley
0:21:07 > 0:21:10and feels mistreated after cashing in a share scheme
0:21:10 > 0:21:15at what should've been a profit, but which ended up losing him money.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17He wants it back.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21The problem is, the people he wants it back from aren't any old company.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25They're Barclays Bank.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Dave's problems started after Barclays Wealth Department
0:21:30 > 0:21:34offered him the opportunity to invest £50,000
0:21:34 > 0:21:37in a five-year share scheme
0:21:37 > 0:21:41whose value would go up or down in line with the FTSE 100 share index.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45'There are risks with that. I understood them and I was quite happy to go along with that,'
0:21:45 > 0:21:50and invest the money for five years on the basis of what was going on with the stock market at the time.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Two years into the five-year scheme,
0:21:53 > 0:21:57Barclays gave investors the chance to leave it early,
0:21:57 > 0:21:59an option that suited Dave.
0:21:59 > 0:22:04I've got four children and they've all got various needs, education and housing,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07and I was going to try and help them out with that.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10Dave rang Barclays, who confirmed that if he cashed his shares in
0:22:10 > 0:22:16there and then, he'd make £2,700 profit on his £50,000 investment.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18He decided to go ahead.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21'So I wrote them a letter that specifically said
0:22:21 > 0:22:23'on the basis of what I was told on THAT day,'
0:22:23 > 0:22:25that I would like to get my money back
0:22:25 > 0:22:28and also I said I've put my e-mail address,
0:22:28 > 0:22:31my mobile phone number down there, and said specifically,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33this is what I expected to get back, which I was quoted.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37If there was any problem with that, cos I realise things could change,
0:22:37 > 0:22:38let me know.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42Some weeks later, Dave received a cheque from Barclays.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47They'd cashed in his shares for £47,994,
0:22:47 > 0:22:52considerably less than the telephone quote for over £52,000
0:22:52 > 0:22:55that had prompted him to sell them.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59Dave feels his letter was clear that if the value of his shares dropped,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Barclays should have checked with him before selling them.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06Barclays refused to refund Dave any money so he took them to court.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11The bank didn't contest his claim and Dave got a judgment against them.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15But they've still not paid up, so now he's gone to the sheriffs.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21And swinging into action to help him get his money back
0:23:21 > 0:23:23are Marc and Kev.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26We're just heading down to the Docklands in London.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28We've got a writ for Barclays Wealth.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Amount that's outstanding on this is £6,500.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36Barclays has revenues of over £30 billion a year.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Dave Simpson, considerably less.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42But as long as there's a High Court writ,
0:23:42 > 0:23:46the sheriffs will do all they can to help Dave take on Goliath.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49I think they've definitely got the money at the moment.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51I don't know but that looks like one of his...
0:23:51 > 0:23:55- That looks like the security, doesn't it?- It does, doesn't it?
0:23:55 > 0:23:59They park up in front of Barclays' head office and head in.
0:24:00 > 0:24:05Barclays' front door is as far as the security will let our camera go.
0:24:05 > 0:24:10But Marc and Kev ARE allowed in to enforce Dave's High Court writ.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15We've been issued a writ for Barclays Wealth.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19The sheriffs deliver the writ. All they can do now is wait.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25Half an hour later, Marc and Kev emerge.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29But, for the time being at least, they're empty-handed.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31They weren't going to pay today, unfortunately.
0:24:31 > 0:24:36Because we had the writ in the name of Barclays Wealth, they're saying that's a nonentity.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40It's just a name that they use for a little department.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44The guy said he's going to take it away, look at the paperwork,
0:24:44 > 0:24:48and then if they have to pay it and it's owed and the judgment has gone against them, they'll pay it.
0:24:48 > 0:24:54It was a disappointing end for the sheriffs. But only briefly.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57Their visit brought Dave's plight to the bank's attention
0:24:57 > 0:25:01and wishing to resolve the matter, Barclays paid up in full.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05It means Dave finally got the return on his investment
0:25:05 > 0:25:07he'd originally hoped for.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Barclays told us that:
0:25:15 > 0:25:17..until the sheriffs visited their office.
0:25:17 > 0:25:22They said they've paid the judgment in full to resolve the matter.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Still to come...
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Pete goes in search of his most valuable ever seizure.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30If you follow us in, erm...
0:25:30 > 0:25:32we're seizing a Lamborghini.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37This central London guitar store sold a customer's classic guitar
0:25:37 > 0:25:39but kept her money.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Can Lawrence and Kev change their tune?
0:25:42 > 0:25:45If you're not able to come here, I'm going to call out locksmiths
0:25:45 > 0:25:48and I will be removing all the goods from the premises today.
0:25:48 > 0:25:53And the clamping firm that took these men and their car for a ride.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55It felt like we were being robbed.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Can the sheriffs get the clampers to pay up what they owe?
0:25:58 > 0:26:00Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:26:09 > 0:26:14One family needing the help of the sheriffs are the Mercers, from Durham.
0:26:17 > 0:26:2011-year-old Alice is a hugely promising horse rider
0:26:20 > 0:26:24with realistic dreams of making it to the top of the dressage world.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28This requires a lot of dedication from both Alice,
0:26:28 > 0:26:32Grandma Janet and her mother, GP nurse Beth.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34I'm convinced it'll be her profession.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37We've been told Alice has something special
0:26:37 > 0:26:41and we will do everything we can to give her that start in her life.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45I work six days a week, on the seventh day she competes.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49Their problems began when Beth decided to purchase a horsebox wagon
0:26:49 > 0:26:54that could transport and sleep her, Alice and beloved pony Quiz,
0:26:54 > 0:26:58as they travel to riding competitions across the country.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02But instead of making the pursuit of their dream easier,
0:27:02 > 0:27:06it's left them out of pocket, forced to go to court,
0:27:06 > 0:27:08and desperately in need of the sheriffs' help.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15You're just being naughty now, aren't you?
0:27:15 > 0:27:21Beth's search for a wagon brought her to Danny Jackson's Bonfields Horseboxes in Derby.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24At Bonfields' lock-up,
0:27:24 > 0:27:28Beth found a horsebox which was exactly what she was looking for.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32She agreed to pay £4,500 for it
0:27:32 > 0:27:36on the condition some minor repairs were carried out as part of the deal.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39'Because it was a used wagon, it wasn't going to be perfect.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41'There were about eight things that needed doing,
0:27:41 > 0:27:43'and it was the electrics checked, there was a bit of welding.'
0:27:43 > 0:27:45He actually stated in e-mail to us
0:27:45 > 0:27:49that they would do all this before they delivered the wagon to us.
0:27:49 > 0:27:50Go on then, missus!
0:27:50 > 0:27:55But when the vehicle arrived, it was clear all was far from well.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00I came in from work, looked at it, and I went, "He's got to be joking!"
0:28:01 > 0:28:04None of the minor repairs Bonfields promised they would carry out
0:28:04 > 0:28:07as part of the sale had been done.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Urgently needing the vehicle to move Quiz,
0:28:10 > 0:28:13she was forced to drive it anyway.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Then, on one of Beth's first drives with it,
0:28:15 > 0:28:20another far more serious fault became apparent.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24And as I was coming down the drive for the hill, the lights just went.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27I thought, "What the heck?" And I slammed the brakes on and the lights came back on.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31I thought, "There's a loose connection." But we steadily lost lights, didn't we?
0:28:31 > 0:28:35I mean, the last half-mile, I drove home with absolutely no lights.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38Pitch black. It was... I've never had a journey like it.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41How we didn't end up down the ditch...
0:28:41 > 0:28:44The mechanic came out, looked at it, and he just said,
0:28:44 > 0:28:47"Give us the keys, don't start it, don't touch it."
0:28:47 > 0:28:52The mechanic told Beth and Janet that, in its present state,
0:28:52 > 0:28:55the horsebox was fit only for the glue factory.
0:28:55 > 0:29:00And he just turned round to us and says, "Don't drive it. It's a fire risk."
0:29:00 > 0:29:04He said, "You could just get down the road and everything will just go up in flames."
0:29:04 > 0:29:08With the horsebox effectively written off,
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Beth and Janet wrote to Mr Jackson, demanding he take back the vehicle
0:29:11 > 0:29:13and give them a full refund.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15To no avail.
0:29:15 > 0:29:20Beth and Janet's only option was to take Bonfields to court.
0:29:20 > 0:29:21'Because I felt so angry,'
0:29:21 > 0:29:23it makes you even more determined
0:29:23 > 0:29:26to take it to the end and get back what you're owed.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28When the case went to court,
0:29:28 > 0:29:32Mr Jackson admitted there were faults with the horsebox.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36He agreed to pick up and sell the vehicle to pay Beth her money.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39But then, as months passed, nothing happened.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43No money was paid and he failed to pick up the horsebox.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46I don't know how he goes to bed and sleeps at night.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48I really don't know how he can do it.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51Beth and Janet's last hope of getting their money back
0:29:51 > 0:29:53now rests with the sheriffs.
0:29:56 > 0:30:01Which is why enforcement officers, Darryl Oreton and Mark Povey,
0:30:01 > 0:30:04are arriving at Danny Jackson's home in Derbyshire.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08The driveway is full of vehicles, including what they hoped for...
0:30:08 > 0:30:10a horsebox.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14If it's owned by Bonfields,
0:30:14 > 0:30:17they can seize it if no payment's forthcoming.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20They make sure it's blocked in by their van.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24No-one's answering the door.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27Darryl manages to raise business owner, Danny Jackson,
0:30:27 > 0:30:29through an open window.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32Enforcement officer, I've got a High Court writ
0:30:32 > 0:30:36to execute against Bonfields Horseboxes on behalf of Beth Mercer.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40- It needs to be paid cash, debit or credit card. - I don't know anything about it.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- I think you do, sir. - I don't think so, no.
0:30:43 > 0:30:48Yes, this is the woman that you sold a faulty horsebox to.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51Let me speak to my solicitor and then I'll speak to you.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57A few minutes later, Danny Jackson comes back
0:30:57 > 0:30:59and asks Darryl and Mark to leave.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01- No, we won't be leaving, sir. - Sorry?
0:31:01 > 0:31:05Vehicles will be seized if the amount isn't paid within the hour.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10Any which will cover the debt.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13Any which will cover the debt and costs.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15- What about the truck?- Sorry?
0:31:15 > 0:31:17What about the horse truck.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Do you have any proof or documentation for that?
0:31:20 > 0:31:22Do you want to grab that for us?
0:31:24 > 0:31:27While Danny Jackson goes looking for his documentation,
0:31:27 > 0:31:30Darryl heads to the back of the house.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34Sheriffs can legally enter a residential property named in a writ
0:31:34 > 0:31:36through an unlocked door or window.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39Darryl finds that the back door isn't locked.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41He takes his chance to enter.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43- Is it Mr Jackson, is it? - I'm Mr Jackson.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47Do have proof of purchase on any of the vehicles?
0:31:47 > 0:31:49No, just the logbook.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54Mr Jackson is not at all happy about Darryl being in his house
0:31:54 > 0:31:57and decides to take emergency action.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Yes, I want the police, please.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05- Yes, I've got a team of blokes around here.- Enforcement officers.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08Enforcement officers, they forced themselves into my house.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10We didn't force our way in.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13- It's the first I've heard of it. - It's not the first you've heard of it, sir.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15With the police now on their way,
0:32:15 > 0:32:18Mr Jackson gets back to the matter in hand.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21He tells Darryl he can't afford to pay the debt.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24We need to get the money raised or goods are going to be seized.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28Do you know anyone who can put this on a credit card for you?
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Nothing on these premises belongs to Bonfields Horseboxes.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34If Mr Jackson's right, that none of the vehicles on the drive
0:32:34 > 0:32:38belong to Bonfields Horseboxes, he'll need to provide proof.
0:32:38 > 0:32:42While he sets about doing that, on the other side of the house...
0:32:42 > 0:32:43The police are here.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46Darryl heads out to talk to the boys in blue.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48We're enforcement officers.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52We have a High Court writ against Bonfields Horseboxes.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56- Obviously, we're just trying to get this money raised.- Right. - Or seize goods to the value of.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59- He's saying nothing here belongs to Bonfields.- Right, OK.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02Darryl knows he's operating legally on the property
0:33:02 > 0:33:05and that the police are only likely to help him.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09Mr Jackson, however, is hopeful that the long arm of the law
0:33:09 > 0:33:10will be on his side.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13- Morning.- Morning, all right, are you?
0:33:13 > 0:33:16It's a dispute about a horsebox.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19Mr Jackson explains his side of the situation to the police
0:33:19 > 0:33:22but there's nothing they can do to help him.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24But even though the law's on Darryl's side,
0:33:24 > 0:33:27he's running into problems.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30Mr Jackson won't pay and Darryl can't prove anything on the property
0:33:30 > 0:33:34definitely belongs to Bonfields Horseboxes.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38- I think he owns that but I can't prove it.- No.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42The police depart as there is nothing more they can do.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45Before he follows them, Darryl wants to make one last attempt
0:33:45 > 0:33:49to convince Mr Jackson to pay up.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52The debt's not going to go away, it needs to be paid, whether it can be paid in full,
0:33:52 > 0:33:55whether it can be paid over instalments.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57With Mr Jackson still refusing to pay,
0:33:57 > 0:34:00Darryl carries out a walking possession,
0:34:00 > 0:34:04listing items he could remove at a later date if the debt's not paid.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06They technically belong to the court now
0:34:06 > 0:34:09and, unless Mr Jackson can prove they don't belong
0:34:09 > 0:34:12to Bonfields Horseboxes in the next five days,
0:34:12 > 0:34:15then the sheriffs will remove and auction them.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17I'll leave you with some paperwork.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19Like I say, the debt's not going to go away,
0:34:19 > 0:34:22it's only going to increase if we have to call out again.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25Mr Jackson wants to tell us his side of the story.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28He says he did go to Durham to try and collect the horsebox,
0:34:28 > 0:34:30to pay off the debt
0:34:30 > 0:34:34but says the land owner where it's parked wouldn't let it go.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37We went up there twice, a total of 250 miles there,
0:34:37 > 0:34:401,000 miles we've done trying to get it
0:34:40 > 0:34:41and the bloke would not release it.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46All Darryl can do is reflect on a testing visit.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50Hopefully, this little bit of pressure today will make him go and get the vehicle back,
0:34:50 > 0:34:53get it sold and then Miss Mercer
0:34:53 > 0:34:55will get the full money that she's owed.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00Thankfully, for Beth and Janet, Darryl was right.
0:35:00 > 0:35:05It seems their surprise visit was enough to inspire a change of heart in Mr Jackson.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09He later agreed to pay in full and has now also picked up the horsebox.
0:35:11 > 0:35:15Finally, the delighted Mercer family can move on from their ordeal.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19Hopefully , Alice will be able to get out and compete a bit more
0:35:19 > 0:35:22because I'm not going to be working six days a week.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26Extremely good result but we wouldn't have got it without the sheriffs.
0:35:31 > 0:35:36Sheriffs never give up on a job unless they absolutely have to.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39Which is why enforcement officer Pete Spencer is in Blackburn,
0:35:39 > 0:35:42about to breathe new life into a cold case.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48Pete's been chasing this particular debt for the last six months,
0:35:48 > 0:35:50without any luck so far.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56I visited two private addresses previously
0:35:56 > 0:35:58with no joy.
0:35:58 > 0:36:04The total outstanding for this one is £40,657.91.
0:36:05 > 0:36:10It's a considerable debt but Pete knows the person that owes it
0:36:10 > 0:36:14has a valuable asset that would more than cover what's outstanding.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17Nothing less than a Lamborghini convertible sports car.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21Only problem is, every time Pete's tried to seize it previously
0:36:21 > 0:36:24it's been moved before he's had the chance.
0:36:24 > 0:36:29Today, Pete's had new intelligence as to the whereabouts of the car,
0:36:29 > 0:36:31in a nearby garage.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34If it is there we will be seizing the vehicle and removing today.
0:36:34 > 0:36:40We've got value on it at around 58 to £60,000 second-hand.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44So, you know, it's going to cover the outstanding.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52The garage he believes the Lamborghini is at
0:36:52 > 0:36:55is not connected to the writ.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58Even so, Pete's concerned about how much commotion his attempt
0:36:58 > 0:37:01to seize such a valuable car is going to cause.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05We've got trouble where somebody is arguing about a £300 car,
0:37:05 > 0:37:08never mind a £70,000 car.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11There's potentially, there could be issues here,
0:37:11 > 0:37:14which is why, if the vehicle's there,
0:37:14 > 0:37:16I'll ring the police straightaway to get their attendance.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23With that in mind, Pete heads in to scout the garage,
0:37:23 > 0:37:26keeping as low a profile as possible.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31Not wanting to draw attention to him,
0:37:31 > 0:37:33we keep the camera out of sight.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36Will the Lamborghini be there?
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Yes, we've got the car, drive back out again.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44Hi, the Lamborghini's here.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46We've been in, we've drove round, pulled back out again,
0:37:46 > 0:37:48but obviously it's there.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50We need to be taking it, don't we?
0:37:51 > 0:37:53Time to call in some help.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56Good afternoon, enforcement officer for the High Court.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00We've got a vehicle that we have seized previously
0:38:00 > 0:38:03and we've just found it again after looking for the past six months.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05Can I request police attendance?
0:38:05 > 0:38:07There will be a breach of the peace.
0:38:07 > 0:38:08Yes.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13It's a Lamborghini, we're seizing it on behalf of the High Court.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17The longer I sit here, the chances are it could move.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21Then I can't physically stop it from driving off,
0:38:21 > 0:38:23as we've seen it drive off before.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Could you put it down as urgent, as well, please?
0:38:27 > 0:38:30After an hour's wait, the police finally arrive.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35Has he come on his own? Has he got dogs?
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Has he got dogs?
0:38:38 > 0:38:39All right.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42We are going to go in, if you follow us in.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44We're seizing a Lamborghini.
0:38:46 > 0:38:47It is parked over there, out of the way.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49With the police now behind him,
0:38:49 > 0:38:52it's time for Pete to enter the premises.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55Sheriffs don't need to give prior notice of their visits,
0:38:55 > 0:38:58so the garage has no idea Pete's coming,
0:38:58 > 0:39:01which he hopes means the car will still be on site.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05How they'll react to his demands is anyone's guess.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07But, if he can hold his nerve,
0:39:07 > 0:39:10Pete could be on the verge of his most valuable ever seizure.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12Time to introduce themselves.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16We're enforcement officers from the High Court. We've seized that vehicle.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21That vehicle is none other than the £60,000
0:39:21 > 0:39:26Lamborghini convertible Italian supercar Pete was looking for.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29It's one of only a few thousand ever made
0:39:29 > 0:39:33and by far the most valuable asset he's ever got close to seizing.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36The owner isn't on site.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38Pete chases him up on the phone.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41Good afternoon, Mr Patel.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45I'm an enforcement officer with a live High Court writ to attend today
0:39:45 > 0:39:48to remove your Lamborghini.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50It's for an outstanding debt.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54I'm commanded by the High Court judge to attend here today
0:39:54 > 0:39:58to collect £41,000 or remove a vehicle.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02We know it's your vehicle and that's why we're taking it.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08We can. I wouldn't be here... If I couldn't do that I wouldn't be here.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10All right, no problem.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13OK. Thank you.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15Bye-bye. He's on his way.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19It's so far, so good for Pete.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21He's found the car, and spoken to the owner,
0:40:21 > 0:40:25who's agreed to come down and speak face-to-face.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28In the meantime, the garage agrees to provide the car keys.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31There's a code as well to start it, so we've got the key and the code now
0:40:31 > 0:40:34to start the vehicle so we don't have to lift the vehicle
0:40:34 > 0:40:38which will make life a lot easier and a lot quicker to do the removal.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41And right on cue, the Lamborghini
0:40:41 > 0:40:44is delivered into Pete's waiting embrace.
0:40:44 > 0:40:49Unless its owner can produce over £40,000 in the next few minutes,
0:40:49 > 0:40:52every handmade Italian inch of it will be Pete's.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56But before he can take it for a spin, the owner himself, Mr Patel,
0:40:56 > 0:41:00arrives to find Pete with his beloved motorcar.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02- Hiya. Mr Patel?- It is, yeah.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08Yeah, I've spoken to the solicitor, he's quite happy with the scenario.
0:41:08 > 0:41:13Not quite believing someone has the power to take his Lamborghini away from him,
0:41:13 > 0:41:17Mr Patel makes one last attempt to save the car.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20He pleads that he's never received any paperwork
0:41:20 > 0:41:21relating to the court case.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27Yeah, it is a complete shock to me because I've just seen the paperwork from the sheriffs here myself.
0:41:27 > 0:41:31- It's dated from 2011, yeah?- Yeah.
0:41:31 > 0:41:342011, which I'd moved on from my property in 2010.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36I'm completely, completely, shocked about it.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39I've never received any letters, or anything.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41Pete, however, is less than convinced.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43I've been there personally and left some paperwork.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47I've also been to that address, as well.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49Preston County Court...
0:41:49 > 0:41:52Then, you will have received something from county court.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55With the car already in Pete's clutches, and unable to find
0:41:55 > 0:42:00£40,000 at such short notice, Mr Patel has to accept he'll have
0:42:00 > 0:42:03to wave goodbye to his beloved Lamborghini,
0:42:03 > 0:42:05for today, at least.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09He's now got five days to either pay in full for the car to be returned
0:42:09 > 0:42:12or the car will be sold at auction.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15My solicitor will sort it out tomorrow, hopefully.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17Fingers crossed.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19So we'll just leave it with the solicitors now.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22Pete's job now is to get the Lamborghini
0:42:22 > 0:42:24to a secure storage unit.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27He might not be smiling, but inside, you can be sure,
0:42:27 > 0:42:30he's thrilled to bits at finally catching up with his quarry
0:42:30 > 0:42:35and driving away with one of the world's most sought after sports cars.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37And it's even better news for the people owed the money.
0:42:37 > 0:42:43Good job done as far as we're concerned. We've come and done what we needed to do today.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47The moral of the story for debtors is,
0:42:47 > 0:42:53that when it comes to chasing up debts a court says you owe, sheriffs don't give up.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58And since Pete towed the Lamborghini,
0:42:58 > 0:43:01the owner, Mr Patel, has paid up enough of the debt
0:43:01 > 0:43:02to have the car returned to him.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06The case is now closed.
0:43:12 > 0:43:16This morning, Lawrence and Kev are on their way for a return visit
0:43:16 > 0:43:19to a guitar shop in central London.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22We're heading to London Guitar Centre.
0:43:22 > 0:43:26We've attended this address before and we've had no correspondence
0:43:26 > 0:43:29from the last lot of paperwork we left there.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33The woman they're on their way to help, Emma,
0:43:33 > 0:43:38agreed to let the shop sell her vintage 1959 Fender Jazzmaster guitar.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41She doesn't want us to use her full name.
0:43:41 > 0:43:43The guitar was sold,
0:43:43 > 0:43:47but Emma didn't get paid for it, so she took the case to court.
0:43:47 > 0:43:49The London Guitar Centre didn't contest it
0:43:49 > 0:43:53and Emma was awarded a judgment for the £3,120
0:43:53 > 0:43:56but she's still not been paid.
0:43:56 > 0:44:00The sheriffs gave the shop a chance to pay up on their first visit
0:44:00 > 0:44:02but they haven't done so.
0:44:02 > 0:44:06So this time, if there's no payment, they'll be removing goods.
0:44:10 > 0:44:13We'll go there with maybe the intention of forcing entry
0:44:13 > 0:44:16with locksmiths and hopefully seizing
0:44:16 > 0:44:18possible guitars on the premises.
0:44:20 > 0:44:22- It's literally there, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:44:22 > 0:44:26- Oh, we've got space. I think we've got space. - There's loads of spaces up there.
0:44:26 > 0:44:29They park up outside the shop, just yards away
0:44:29 > 0:44:33from the world famous bustle of Leicester Square.
0:44:36 > 0:44:40Despite the busy street, the shop appears to be closed today
0:44:40 > 0:44:43but this isn't going to stop Lawrence.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46He finds a phone number stuck to the front door
0:44:46 > 0:44:50and wastes no time calling to introduce himself.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53Hello, there, is that the London Guitar Centre.
0:44:53 > 0:44:57Hello there, my name's Mr Grix, I'm an enforcement officer.
0:44:57 > 0:44:59I'm at your premises now.
0:44:59 > 0:45:01I don't know where you are because the place is locked.
0:45:01 > 0:45:04Right. Are you in the vicinity, sir?
0:45:04 > 0:45:06We're here to execute a High Court writ.
0:45:07 > 0:45:10The shop owner asks him to leave paperwork at the shop
0:45:10 > 0:45:14detailing the money owed so he can then deal with the matter.
0:45:14 > 0:45:17But given the shop ignored the papers left on their last visit,
0:45:17 > 0:45:21the owner's hitting all the wrong notes with Lawrence.
0:45:21 > 0:45:24No, I can't, sir, because I came here before, I left paperwork,
0:45:24 > 0:45:26you haven't been in touch at all.
0:45:26 > 0:45:30With all due respect you could just be spinning me a line now.
0:45:30 > 0:45:32I'm not saying you are but you've made no attempt to get in touch
0:45:32 > 0:45:35with me so if you're not able to come here,
0:45:35 > 0:45:36I'm going to call our locksmiths.
0:45:38 > 0:45:43Despite Lawrence's threats, the owner maintains he isn't prepared to pay today.
0:45:43 > 0:45:47Lawrence tells him that, in that case, he'll be removing goods
0:45:47 > 0:45:50and there's nothing they can do about it.
0:45:50 > 0:45:53Realising the stock's going, the shop finally agrees to send
0:45:53 > 0:45:58someone down to let the sheriffs in, so they won't need to force entry.
0:45:58 > 0:45:59OK, lovely.
0:46:01 > 0:46:02The other fella's on his way.
0:46:03 > 0:46:05So now is the long wait.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07Later, we'll see what happens,
0:46:07 > 0:46:12when the sheriffs finally get into the London Guitar Centre.
0:46:21 > 0:46:24On the road again, enforcement officers Marc and Tony
0:46:24 > 0:46:28are on their way to a north London car pound.
0:46:28 > 0:46:31They've been tasked with trying to get money owed to
0:46:31 > 0:46:35a member of the public by a clamping firm, Newline Parking Management.
0:46:35 > 0:46:39Marc's not sure what sort of reception the sheriffs will get
0:46:39 > 0:46:41when they arrive there.
0:46:41 > 0:46:45They're going to be up for having an argument, I would imagine.
0:46:45 > 0:46:47We'll just have to see how it goes, really.
0:46:49 > 0:46:53The man they're on their way to help is IT consultant, Dominic Marks.
0:46:53 > 0:46:56He's from Bristol but today, he and friend, Tim,
0:46:56 > 0:46:59are looking for a car parking space in London.
0:46:59 > 0:47:04Constant residents' parking or ticket meters.
0:47:05 > 0:47:08He's being extra careful to make sure he parks in the right place.
0:47:10 > 0:47:12Permit holders only...
0:47:12 > 0:47:15Because a few months ago, when he parked in the wrong one,
0:47:15 > 0:47:18it led to a run-in with a clamping company, so serious,
0:47:18 > 0:47:21it's seen him go through the courts and brought him
0:47:21 > 0:47:26to the sheriffs to recover the £1,500 he's rightfully owed.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36Dominic's problems started when he came to north London
0:47:36 > 0:47:39with friend, Tim, one Saturday to go to a party.
0:47:39 > 0:47:45Looking for somewhere to park, they found Shelford Place in Stoke Newington.
0:47:45 > 0:47:47This is where we parked the car.
0:47:47 > 0:47:50Their parking space is now covered by a building site
0:47:50 > 0:47:53but at the time, it was clear of yellow lines.
0:47:53 > 0:47:57The warning signs on the walls were also absent then.
0:47:57 > 0:48:01It seemed like a great place to park.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04It was an empty little road and was clear
0:48:04 > 0:48:06so we found a place, parked the car.
0:48:08 > 0:48:13After a fun night at the party, Dominic and Tim stayed over at a friend's.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16They came back the next day to retrieve the car.
0:48:16 > 0:48:19Only problem was, it had disappeared.
0:48:20 > 0:48:23It took a while to actually register that it was gone.
0:48:23 > 0:48:27I kind of got there and I thought, "Have I just gone mad?"
0:48:27 > 0:48:30And, "Did I actually park on a road that looks really similar to this?"
0:48:30 > 0:48:35- Because we parked down there, didn't we?- Initially we thought it had been stolen.
0:48:35 > 0:48:38And, then, having found one sign in the dark miles up a wall,
0:48:38 > 0:48:43that gave us the clue that the car had been towed.
0:48:44 > 0:48:49Dominic's car had been clamped and towed by Newline Parking Management
0:48:49 > 0:48:51for parking on private land
0:48:51 > 0:48:54and unfairly so, in his opinion.
0:48:54 > 0:48:58These signs when we got here were either ripped off or they'd been whitewashed.
0:48:58 > 0:49:02There were no signs that were obviously visible.
0:49:02 > 0:49:07What we found was the one sign that was hopelessly inadequate.
0:49:07 > 0:49:09It was in the dark.
0:49:09 > 0:49:11There was no light near it.
0:49:11 > 0:49:13It was about three metres, or so, up the wall
0:49:13 > 0:49:18and it was hidden behind a hoarding for a construction site.
0:49:20 > 0:49:23Dominic called Newline and was told that, as it was a Sunday,
0:49:23 > 0:49:26he wouldn't be able to collect his car until the Monday.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29He also learned he'd be charged an overnight fee,
0:49:29 > 0:49:34in addition to the clamping and towing costs. A total of £467.
0:49:37 > 0:49:42The next day, Dominic and Tim paid the money unwillingly and under protest.
0:49:42 > 0:49:45When we handed over the money it felt like we were being robbed
0:49:45 > 0:49:47and we had no recourse against them at all.
0:49:47 > 0:49:51It felt incredibly unjust like they were essentially bullying us
0:49:51 > 0:49:54and we couldn't do anything to combat the situation.
0:49:54 > 0:49:57Worst Monday ever, for sure.
0:49:58 > 0:50:00Disgusted at how he'd been treated,
0:50:00 > 0:50:03Dominic brought a county court claim against the clampers.
0:50:03 > 0:50:08Newline contested the case in writing but failed to show up in court.
0:50:08 > 0:50:11The judge ruled in Dominic's favour.
0:50:11 > 0:50:15With damages and court fees on top of what he'd paid Newline,
0:50:15 > 0:50:19he was awarded £1,515.80.
0:50:19 > 0:50:24But despite this, Newline still haven't paid up.
0:50:24 > 0:50:28Dominic's last hope of seeing his money lies with the sheriffs.
0:50:32 > 0:50:35Arriving at Newline's north London compound,
0:50:35 > 0:50:38the only thing Marc and Tony find is a large, yellow gate.
0:50:38 > 0:50:42Tony volunteers to make first contact.
0:50:42 > 0:50:44- Anyone there?- Yeah.
0:50:44 > 0:50:47- What, people, or...? - Yeah.- Hello!
0:50:53 > 0:50:57Marc decides to move the van, so IT'S not clamped.
0:50:57 > 0:51:00Tony's knock, meanwhile, draws out an employee.
0:51:00 > 0:51:05A High Court writ that's been issued against Newline Parking Management
0:51:05 > 0:51:07and the vehicle pound.
0:51:09 > 0:51:10We're High Court sheriffs.
0:51:10 > 0:51:14- What's he say, Tone?- Coming back.
0:51:14 > 0:51:17- He's putting the dog away.- Eh? - He's putting the dog away.
0:51:18 > 0:51:21While the dog is removed, a woman from Newline
0:51:21 > 0:51:24comes to the gate to find out who the sheriffs are.
0:51:24 > 0:51:25We're High Court enforcement officers.
0:51:25 > 0:51:29Here's the writ from the court. The writ is live and it would need to be paid.
0:51:29 > 0:51:32You need to deal with this today, unfortunately, while we're here.
0:51:32 > 0:51:35We'll need to stay here until it's done.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40After a quarter of an hour of waiting,
0:51:40 > 0:51:44the woman comes back to tell the sheriffs some unexpected news,
0:51:44 > 0:51:47the clampers are willing to pay.
0:51:47 > 0:51:49We don't take cheques, babe.
0:51:49 > 0:51:51But because the sheriffs don't take cheques,
0:51:51 > 0:51:54she says they'll have to wait for her brothers to come back.
0:51:54 > 0:51:58Marc and Tony sit in the van, and wait.
0:51:59 > 0:52:03It's a bit of a difficult one because our only way
0:52:03 > 0:52:05we can get in there, which is going over the fence,
0:52:05 > 0:52:09but, obviously, it's quite a tricky fence to climb over with all the razor wire on the top.
0:52:09 > 0:52:12Also on the other side of the gate is a big Rottweiler.
0:52:12 > 0:52:15At the moment we're just sitting tight.
0:52:17 > 0:52:20Someone's just pulled up now so hopefully this is the guy.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30Two clampers emerge wanting a word with the sheriffs.
0:52:30 > 0:52:32Whoo, whoo, whoo...
0:52:32 > 0:52:34We know who you are, don't matter who you are.
0:52:34 > 0:52:36We don't care who you are, don't record me.
0:52:36 > 0:52:40The clampers decide to continue discussions inside their premises
0:52:40 > 0:52:43and, unsurprisingly, we're not allowed to follow them.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46Soon after, Marc is back.
0:52:46 > 0:52:48We had two guys pull up who've gone in
0:52:48 > 0:52:52who, I think, are the lady we spoke to's brothers.
0:52:52 > 0:52:54And they've just asked us in
0:52:54 > 0:52:57but when we've both gone to walk in they've created a bit of a fuss,
0:52:57 > 0:53:00so Tony's just gone in on his own to deal with it.
0:53:00 > 0:53:03He's big enough to look after himself in there if there's any trouble,
0:53:03 > 0:53:04so...
0:53:04 > 0:53:07we'll see. Hopefully when he comes out in about five minutes
0:53:07 > 0:53:10he'll have the payment and it'll be dealt with and we can get on our way.
0:53:10 > 0:53:13After half an hour of high-level negotiations,
0:53:13 > 0:53:15Tony emerges.
0:53:17 > 0:53:22He's got a smile on his face, but he's left something else behind.
0:53:22 > 0:53:24I've left my card machine in there. Hello?
0:53:24 > 0:53:27HE WHISTLES
0:53:27 > 0:53:30Hello, I left me machine in there.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33Yeah, my card machine.
0:53:33 > 0:53:36See you later, boys, have a good day.
0:53:36 > 0:53:39Take care.
0:53:40 > 0:53:42It might have taken them nearly two hours,
0:53:42 > 0:53:46but Tony just collected payment, in full.
0:53:46 > 0:53:51All paid up, all done, no dramas.
0:53:51 > 0:53:54It's a great result for the sheriffs.
0:53:54 > 0:53:57More importantly, it means Dominic Marks
0:53:57 > 0:54:00finally getting the cheque in the post he'd hoped for.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03It came to a lot of money, it was about £1,600 which is...
0:54:03 > 0:54:05It's a lot of money for me.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08I'm sure it's a lot of money for most people, as well.
0:54:08 > 0:54:12And that had a positive effect on my finances.
0:54:12 > 0:54:13That was a very good day.
0:54:13 > 0:54:17Put the cheque in the bank and drink a toast to the sheriffs
0:54:17 > 0:54:20and blow a raspberry at Newline, I guess.
0:54:29 > 0:54:33Back in central London, Lawrence and Kev are still near Leicester Square,
0:54:33 > 0:54:36waiting to get into the London Guitar Centre.
0:54:36 > 0:54:41They're there to remove goods on behalf of a customer, Emma, who's owed money.
0:54:41 > 0:54:43But rather than have the sheriffs force entry,
0:54:43 > 0:54:46the shop's decided to let them in, instead.
0:54:46 > 0:54:50And after just over an hour, the manager arrives.
0:54:50 > 0:54:52Hello, there.
0:54:52 > 0:54:55I'll just show you some ID.
0:54:57 > 0:54:59It's now simply a case of working out how many guitars
0:54:59 > 0:55:04Lawrence and Kev need to take, to get Emma her money.
0:55:04 > 0:55:08How much is the amount for?
0:55:08 > 0:55:13It was £4,924.95 but, obviously, there's an hour's waiting time to go on that now.
0:55:15 > 0:55:18With the manager's expert eye to guide them,
0:55:18 > 0:55:22Lawrence and Kev are eager to get started.
0:55:22 > 0:55:24However, there's a snag.
0:55:24 > 0:55:28The valuable electric guitars are all being sold on behalf of customers
0:55:28 > 0:55:31and so don't belong to the shop.
0:55:31 > 0:55:33It's just that electrics are a bit more robust to transport
0:55:33 > 0:55:35and they're, obviously, a higher value.
0:55:35 > 0:55:40I mean, that's £950. There isn't a £950 acoustic guitar downstairs, is there?
0:55:41 > 0:55:44With the sheriffs unable to go electric,
0:55:44 > 0:55:49they need to make sure the more delicate acoustic guitars reach the auction in one piece.
0:55:49 > 0:55:51Do you want to get the bubble wrap out of the van?
0:55:51 > 0:55:53We'll case them up, I've got cases for everything.
0:55:53 > 0:55:59As the guitars are likely to only fetch a fraction of their retail price at auction,
0:55:59 > 0:56:02being able to raise enough money isn't guaranteed.
0:56:03 > 0:56:07You've got auctioneer's costs, you've got to be looking at six or seven grand, really.
0:56:07 > 0:56:10So, 13 at 300.
0:56:10 > 0:56:12That's 4,000, innit?
0:56:18 > 0:56:20- That's mine, 759 rubs. - Don't drop it.
0:56:23 > 0:56:26Put that one in, I think that's about it for that box.
0:56:26 > 0:56:29Finally, with the walls of the shop growing bare,
0:56:29 > 0:56:32Lawrence thinks they're getting close to the required amount.
0:56:32 > 0:56:35Erm, we're getting there. We still need...
0:56:35 > 0:56:38Is there anything else you'd recommend?
0:56:38 > 0:56:43There's a couple of guitars that are sort of 300-ish each.
0:56:43 > 0:56:45That might do it.
0:56:50 > 0:56:52With the last guitar safely de-tagged and wrapped,
0:56:52 > 0:56:56this seizure is bringing back musical memories for Kev.
0:56:57 > 0:57:00I used to sort of have a bash about.
0:57:00 > 0:57:03Dunno if it qualifies as playing. Making a noise!
0:57:08 > 0:57:11With that over, it's time to concentrate on the day job
0:57:11 > 0:57:13and loading up the van.
0:57:13 > 0:57:17Removal of goods is the ultimate sanction sheriffs can impose.
0:57:17 > 0:57:20But, on this occasion, they had no choice.
0:57:22 > 0:57:24Unless the owner has a swift rethink
0:57:24 > 0:57:27and arranges to pay the debt himself, his valuable stock
0:57:27 > 0:57:30will be sold to the highest bidder.
0:57:30 > 0:57:33Either way, it's a successful outcome for Lawrence and Kev
0:57:33 > 0:57:38who have done everything they can to get Emma as much of her money back as possible.
0:57:38 > 0:57:42We've ended up taking 23 guitars in total...
0:57:42 > 0:57:45in the back of the van and they'll be off to auction.
0:57:45 > 0:57:49So, yep, taken guitars, gone and job well done.
0:57:49 > 0:57:55It's been a textbook removal for the sheriffs, who head back to base.
0:57:55 > 0:57:59Following their visit, they received no further payments from the shop.
0:57:59 > 0:58:01They therefore auctioned the guitars
0:58:01 > 0:58:05and the money raised went to Emma towards payment for the debt.
0:58:05 > 0:58:08The London Guitar Centre told us they hadn't paid Emma
0:58:08 > 0:58:10because the shop had become involved in a dispute
0:58:10 > 0:58:13with Westminster Council over business rates,
0:58:13 > 0:58:17which had severely restricted its ability to trade.
0:58:17 > 0:58:20They said they hoped the sheriffs' removal of the guitars would
0:58:20 > 0:58:23provide Emma with the money she was chasing.
0:58:45 > 0:58:48Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd