0:00:02 > 0:00:04What do you do if you're ripped off and don't know where to turn?
0:00:04 > 0:00:08I did outline all the faults in the vehicle. He rejected all those.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12Court of law backs you, but you still don't get your money.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Little did I know how long it would take to try and recover the money from him.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Sorry.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22It's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:22 > 0:00:27We have every right to enter the premises by force, if necessary.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29We will be entering that building.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33Sheriffs are High Court enforcement officers,
0:00:33 > 0:00:35who recover what a court judgement says is owed.
0:00:36 > 0:00:41The writ orders us to come here and seize goods to the value of this debt.
0:00:42 > 0:00:47They're the experts in getting cash that's rightfully yours.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50£1,323.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53But fighting for the underdog isn't a job for the faint-hearted.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57I will back that truck straight through your windscreen!
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Debtors aren't pleased to see them.
0:00:59 > 0:01:00They're harassing me.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Because they hate paying up.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Are you happy for me to just leave you some paperwork?
0:01:04 > 0:01:06No, I'm not. Go away.
0:01:06 > 0:01:07DOOR SLAMS SHUT
0:01:10 > 0:01:11In today's programme...
0:01:14 > 0:01:20..plumber Ray Millett paid for and fitted a full central heating system for a building company,
0:01:20 > 0:01:22but he didn't get paid a penny.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25To treat people in this way is pretty despicable, really.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Can the sheriffs get Ray his money back?
0:01:30 > 0:01:34We're here to collect the payment, which is £11,100 now.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Sheriff Pete Spencer revisits a road services company
0:01:37 > 0:01:40that owes a former employee thousands.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42Listen, I'm a director of the company,
0:01:42 > 0:01:44I'm now asking you to leave the premises.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46- Phone the police.- I will do.- OK.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51And when Jan Smith sold valuable items through a local auctioneers,
0:01:51 > 0:01:52she expected a hefty cheque.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56Instead, she got an antiques no-show.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59I haven't had any money whatsoever.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01It's just outrageous. It is outrageous.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05The sheriffs go in search of the cash she's owed.
0:02:15 > 0:02:195:30am, the M40. Sheriffs Mark Newton and Kev McNally
0:02:19 > 0:02:22are on their way to the Cotswolds
0:02:22 > 0:02:28for an early-morning rendezvous with a builder who owes one of their clients over £11,000.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Obviously, first of all, we're going to try and get him to pay
0:02:31 > 0:02:35before we start going down the route of lifting goods from his house.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39You know, he may just accept the fact that he's got to pay
0:02:39 > 0:02:42and sort it out, but we don't know, we don't know.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50The man the sheriffs are there to help is plumber Ray Millet.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54He's self-employed and therefore has to take work where he can find it
0:02:54 > 0:02:59and he takes it on trust that he'll get an honest day's pay for an honest day's work.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03At least, that's how he imagined it would be
0:03:03 > 0:03:08when he came into contact with the building company RH Developments Cotswolds Ltd.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11They were looking for a plumber to carry out work at two new houses
0:03:11 > 0:03:13they were building at nearby Brackley.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18The potential was good, it was a big job.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22Two boilers involved, full central heating systems,
0:03:22 > 0:03:28two bathrooms to be installed, so it was a reasonably big job.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31For a one-man band, it was good work.
0:03:32 > 0:03:38There was nothing on site that suggested to me that everything wasn't OK.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Unusually, the company asked Ray to provide
0:03:44 > 0:03:47and pay for the systems he was going to be fitting.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51Originally, they were going to supply, because I just,
0:03:51 > 0:03:55if you like, was cautious.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Something told me that they should buy.
0:03:58 > 0:04:03And then they made the excuse, well, this is out in the Cotswolds,
0:04:03 > 0:04:08you're from Brackley, we're builders, not plumbers.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12Can you not supply, and we'll just reimburse you at cost?
0:04:14 > 0:04:17For the next two weeks, Ray got to work,
0:04:17 > 0:04:21putting in long hours and weekends to make sure he got the job done.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24He'd managed to fit one of the houses out completely
0:04:24 > 0:04:27when he put in his initial invoice and decided to wait for payment before continuing.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31But after several weeks of waiting,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34there was no sign of the money he was owed.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Ray was left out of pocket and counting the cost.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41The immediate losses, of course, were the boiler costs
0:04:41 > 0:04:45and the material costs, which were just over £4,000.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50That was what I immediately lost.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55I also lost the £4,000 of labour costs.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58That has a huge impact.
0:04:58 > 0:05:03I was lucky at the time that I had tax savings,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05and I used the tax savings to pay my suppliers.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10Ray continued to chase his money, but got nowhere.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13After a couple of weeks, I said, "Enough."
0:05:13 > 0:05:16I then placed it in the hands of my solicitor.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23Ray took RH Developments Cotswolds Ltd to the County Court.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26The company didn't attend, and the court awarded in Ray's favour.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30Despite this, to date, Ray hasn't been paid a penny of the money owed to him.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34To treat people in this way is pretty shoddy
0:05:34 > 0:05:40and it's pretty despicable, really.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Stronger words than that I'm sure I could use,
0:05:42 > 0:05:47but I feel pretty bad about it.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52It could put somebody bankrupt.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56£8,000 plus is not a small amount of money,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00and certainly not in today's economic climate.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04It's a lot of money, and it is going to be difficult for me
0:06:04 > 0:06:08to address that issue at the end of the month.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11The court might have found in his favour,
0:06:11 > 0:06:15but to get what he's owed, Ray's had to turn to the sheriffs.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18I feel great.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21If somebody's going to go knocking on this guy's door,
0:06:21 > 0:06:26then he's getting what he deserves through the law, through the legal process,
0:06:26 > 0:06:30and I have no problem with that whatsoever.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Tasked with getting Ray's money back is this High Court
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- enforcement office. - Good afternoon. How can I help?
0:06:40 > 0:06:44They deal with over 12,000 cases a year
0:06:44 > 0:06:47and retrieve over £2 million a month for people owed money.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Oh, that's brilliant. That looks like I've got my money back.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57Executing High Court writs is a job that dates back to Saxon times.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02Sheriffs have more powers than bailiffs to enter properties, seize goods
0:07:02 > 0:07:04and auction them to settle debts.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Basically, we are looking to remove that vehicle today, to clear the debt.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11And they only take on debts of over £600.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15We're looking for just under £5,500.
0:07:16 > 0:07:23Every year, over 70,000 High Court writs are executed by High Court enforcement officers in the UK.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- We're here to seize goods.- Oh.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31And this morning, two of those officers, Mark Newton and Kev McNally,
0:07:31 > 0:07:35are hoping to get plumber Ray Millet the money he's owed.
0:07:35 > 0:07:406:20am, and we are looking for £11,100 on this today.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46High Court writs are not something to be executed on an empty stomach,
0:07:46 > 0:07:52so Mark and Kev fuel up before starting their search for the company's registered office,
0:07:52 > 0:07:55which also happens to be the home of boss Richard Hicks.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58There's no street number, just a house name.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04Only problem we have out this way is, obviously, we're on a really dark country lane
0:08:04 > 0:08:08and we're trying to find a house name, which is always interesting.
0:08:08 > 0:08:09It's quite a busy road as well.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13- We've got a house, there. - Can't see anything.
0:08:15 > 0:08:16This is where the sat-nav's taking us.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18There's a big house sign there.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Hi, there. Wonder if you can help us?
0:08:22 > 0:08:25They looked like, "Nope, definitely never heard of that."
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- Homestead.- Homestead?- Yeah.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31- It's not that, is it? - It's not that.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33We'll go up the road a little bit more.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36It's not down that one, anyway.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- This is called Lakeside.- Is it?- Yeah.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43What do we do? We'll have to ring this, won't we?
0:08:44 > 0:08:47The sheriffs think they've found it,
0:08:47 > 0:08:51but with no name on the gate and no-one answering the buzzer...
0:08:51 > 0:08:53I don't think it's working.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56..there's one way to make sure.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Shall I just go over? Ring his doorbell?
0:08:59 > 0:09:01Yeah, go on. You can go.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04I ain't going over there, I'll break the gate!
0:09:04 > 0:09:07High Court enforcement officers cannot force entry
0:09:07 > 0:09:10to residential premises as they can commercial properties,
0:09:10 > 0:09:15but they can legally climb a perimeter wall or fence to gain entry.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19Unfortunately for Kev, this premises is not the house they're looking for.
0:09:20 > 0:09:21Going to come back over, Kev?
0:09:28 > 0:09:30- Not even sure this is the house!- No.
0:09:32 > 0:09:33There's the night porter.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Hello, mate. I'm after the house.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38- It's over the road.- Is it?- Yeah.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Cheers, mate. Thanks very much, thank you.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43Just got into this yard which has just opened,
0:09:43 > 0:09:46and they've told us that it's the house over the road without the name,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48so our sat-nav was slightly out.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53The sheriffs have finally found the address on Ray's writ,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56but that's not the end of their problems.
0:09:56 > 0:09:57They're going to have a dog.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03And if you're over there and the dog comes out, that's a long run!
0:10:06 > 0:10:07Yeah.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Dog or no dog, is company boss Richard Hicks at home?
0:10:11 > 0:10:12We've got to make sure he can't get out.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15He's got room to get out behind us at the moment.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22No-one's answering the buzzer, so the boys block the drive
0:10:22 > 0:10:26to make sure if he is in, he's going nowhere fast.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Somebody has come to the gate.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30But is it the man the sheriffs are after?
0:10:30 > 0:10:33- Hi, there.- Hiya.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- Can I help you?- Yeah, I'm after Richard, of RH Developments.- Yeah?
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- Yeah. We're from High Court enforcement.- Yeah, for what?
0:10:40 > 0:10:43It's about an outstanding writ that's been issued against you.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47- Ray Millett is the claimant. - Oh, right, yeah.- Yeah.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50We're here to collect the payment or seize goods.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55Right. That's something that we're arguing about with Ray Millett.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56Yeah.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Unsurprisingly, he's none too happy about having to pay up.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Obviously, it's something I want to sort out with him.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05If you can give us a day, I'll get hold of him.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Well, it needs to be dealt with with us now, because it's gone to the High Court.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12OK, erm... Well, what can I do with you about it?
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Well, we're here to collect the payment, which is £11,100 now.
0:11:17 > 0:11:18OK, erm...
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- I can't do it right at this second, obviously.- No.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- Can I have time to do it?- Well, we'll wait while you sort it out.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- No, I mean time as in a week or so? - No, no, it needs to be done.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36You need to do it today, while we're here.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39- OK, erm, can I pay you by cheque? - No.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42We will need to leave here with something today.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45We're going to have to start seizing goods, then.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50If the defendant can't pay, the sheriffs will seize any company assets
0:11:50 > 0:11:52up to the value they're after.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56But according to Richard Hicks, there's little for them to seize.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01There's nothing here that's anything to do with the company or anything.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03I mean, all we have is a small office here, that's it.
0:12:03 > 0:12:04You said you've got an office here.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08I mean, we've only got your word to go on that there's nothing in there, haven't we?
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Well, there's a computer in there, and that's it.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Yeah, so there's assets there, and we're sent here to seize them.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- What, from my house? - Any company assets.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19No, they're not company assets. It's a tiny little office, you know.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Do you want to show us that, or not?
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- Yeah, of course I will. - Yeah? Well, come on, we'll go.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Look, I'll take you in, I'll show you the office,
0:12:27 > 0:12:28but you'll see there's only the office.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30What are you going to do, then?
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Well, if we do that, rather than shouting across the gate at the moment,
0:12:33 > 0:12:34and we'll go from there.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38- Give me two minutes, I'll come and get a key to open the gate. - Yeah, no problem.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41I just want him to pay. He's saying he's disputing it.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44He had the opportunity to do that at court and he didn't take that up, so...
0:12:46 > 0:12:48A High Court writ costs £60.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52If the sheriffs are successful, there's nothing more for their client to pay.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56And if they're not, there's only an admin fee, also of £60.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00There's someone here now.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03- You're not touching anything in the house?- No, no.
0:13:06 > 0:13:12The argument won, Richard Hicks agrees to let Mark and Kev see his tiny little office,
0:13:12 > 0:13:14which lies down his very big drive.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Half an hour later, the sheriffs are back.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27We went to his office, which is just a small little room upstairs.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30There's a computer, a printer and a shredder, basically,
0:13:30 > 0:13:33and two desks and a couple of leather chairs.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35He's saying he's got no money.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39He's signed the walk-in possession, we've given him the opportunity to pay,
0:13:39 > 0:13:43told him to get in touch with us in the next seven days, but he needs to start paying this.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48He's disputing the amount, saying he doesn't owe the guy what he is saying he owes him.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53Not really my problem, to be honest. I'm not really interested in that.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56We're there chasing the amount that we were after on our paperwork,
0:13:56 > 0:14:00so we're just going to have to hang on and see whether he gets in touch with us now,
0:14:00 > 0:14:02or whether he decides to just ignore it.
0:14:04 > 0:14:09It's been a long morning's work for the sheriffs, but at least they've made progress.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11They've found the right address, the right person,
0:14:11 > 0:14:14and carried out a paper seizure of his company's assets.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21It's the first step in the process of getting Ray Millett the money he's owed.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23And one thing's for certain -
0:14:23 > 0:14:27if Richard Hicks doesn't start paying soon, the sheriffs will be back.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40High Court enforcement officer Pete Spencer is in Manchester,
0:14:40 > 0:14:46on the trail of over £8,000 owed to a woman unfairly dismissed by a local company.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50Southern UK Road Services dismissed Lesley Stonier
0:14:50 > 0:14:52after she was signed off sick,
0:14:52 > 0:14:54having found her workload unmanageable.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57She took the company to an employment tribunal,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59claiming unfair dismissal.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05Southern UK Road Services agreed to settle out of court,
0:15:05 > 0:15:08but the company still didn't pay her,
0:15:08 > 0:15:10so Lesley turned to the sheriffs.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Pete visited them before. They were tricky to find,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18but, eventually, he managed to track down the company director,
0:15:18 > 0:15:22who wasn't keen on paying up.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- £7,873.75.- Right.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28We're looking for payment today,
0:15:28 > 0:15:30or we potentially could be removing vehicles.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33There is a colleague of mine who is supposed to be dealing with this.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- He's not in at the moment.- OK. What time will he be in, do you know?
0:15:36 > 0:15:40After some negotiation, the director agreed to sign
0:15:40 > 0:15:44a walk-in possession, in which vehicles were seized on paper,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47with a view to removing and selling them at a later date
0:15:47 > 0:15:49if no payment is forthcoming.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53But since then, Lesley's still not received a penny.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57So Pete's back in the van and on his way to Southern UK Road Services.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02We're re-attending today, with a view to remove the vehicles
0:16:02 > 0:16:06that we've levied previously, and also any other vehicles
0:16:06 > 0:16:11that might be at the premises or any office furniture, computers, etc,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14anything of any value to cover the outstanding debt.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Pete arrives at the yard.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Like all High Court enforcement officers,
0:16:19 > 0:16:23he can force entry to commercial premises if he needs to.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27But today, there's no need. The gates are wide open.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31Excellent. I've managed to just walk straight through the opening gates.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34The guy's not obviously shut it behind him like last time.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40We'll just start levying some of the vehicles that weren't here before.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44Once inside, Pete wastes no time eyeing up the vehicles
0:16:44 > 0:16:47he plans to remove if Southern UK Road Services won't pay up.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54A few minutes with his clipboard and Pete's attracting attention.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58An employee tells him the director's not on site.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03But moments later, Pete spots a familiar face.
0:17:03 > 0:17:04Hiya.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Go out of the gates, then we'll talk.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09I'm sorry, I'm on the premises, so we'll speak here.
0:17:09 > 0:17:10It's the company director.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- How did you get on the premises? - Just walked in. The gate was open.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Well, what have you seized? Because these do not belong to the company.
0:17:17 > 0:17:18That's fine. What we need to do is,
0:17:18 > 0:17:21because you've not come back to us after our last visit...
0:17:21 > 0:17:25Well, I believe that one of my colleagues is dealing, trying to do a deal...
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- Right, OK.- ..even as we speak, and I don't know whether he's been dealing with you.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32He's not been dealing with me. At the moment, we're looking at seizing these items.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36I've seized them anyway, and we're looking to remove them today...
0:17:36 > 0:17:38- OK.- ..unless we get a full payment...
0:17:38 > 0:17:42- Right.- ..which is £8,537.48.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Right, OK.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49I need to go back and find out where this negotiation is,
0:17:49 > 0:17:51because as far as I was concerned, it was being sorted.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54That won't stop our enforcement today,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57so we either need a full payment or we are looking to remove goods.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59Well, we'll have to find out, I'll have to find the paperwork for you,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- but you certainly can't seize other people's goods.- No, no.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05We can, and what we'll do is we'll seize them, remove them,
0:18:05 > 0:18:09put them in storage for five days, and then you... You had the chance last time.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11- If these goods...- Well, as I say...
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- Do you remember last time, you signed the agreement?- Yeah.
0:18:14 > 0:18:15The walk-in possession agreement?
0:18:15 > 0:18:20That gave you, then, the opportunity to prove that those vehicles weren't owned by yourself.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- As I said, somebody was supposed to be dealing with this.- Right.
0:18:23 > 0:18:24They obviously haven't done, then.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- Right, OK, well, I'll need to look into that.- Right.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30The position is, we probably won't be able to pay you until this time next week,
0:18:30 > 0:18:32then we will be in a position to make a payment.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- Right.- OK.- I'll just carry on what I'm doing, then I'll come in and see you.
0:18:35 > 0:18:36- Yeah, OK.- OK.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41While the director goes off to sort out his next move,
0:18:41 > 0:18:46Pete carries on deciding which of the company's assets he'll give the green light to seize.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51He'll stop at nothing to make sure Lesley will get what she's owed.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Pete's just tucking into his third van when the director's back,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58and this time, he wants Pete gone.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Well, listen, I'm a director of the company,
0:19:01 > 0:19:03I'm now asking you to leave the premises.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07- Phone the police. - I will do.- OK.- OK.- That's fine.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11If you want to explain to them when you do phone them that we've seized goods, OK,
0:19:11 > 0:19:15and I've got a writ to attend here, and that's why I'm on the premises, OK?
0:19:15 > 0:19:19Lucky for Pete, the law's very much on his side.
0:19:19 > 0:19:24The High Court writ means he's allowed on site and the police can't remove him.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- You won't give me 24 hours to sort this out?- I can't do that, no.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29You've had plenty of time since our last visit.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32- We don't have the money right here, right now.- Card?
0:19:32 > 0:19:33Bank transfer?
0:19:33 > 0:19:36No. We can probably do something by...
0:19:36 > 0:19:39We can probably pay something tomorrow and we can probably...
0:19:39 > 0:19:42It's going to have to be today, or else we will be removing goods,
0:19:42 > 0:19:44and then you'll have extra charges on top for removal.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47- These goods...- You've been given the opportunity to prove that.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51- These goods don't belong to us. I'll go and take legal advice.- Right, OK.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57Before Pete can progress his list, the director returns.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00He insists he can't pay the amount Pete's after,
0:20:00 > 0:20:04but nor does he want his vehicles removed. Luckily, there's a third way.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07From my point of view, what I'm trying to do is get a solution.
0:20:07 > 0:20:08- Yeah.- OK?
0:20:08 > 0:20:12A solution would be, potentially, a part-payment today,
0:20:12 > 0:20:13and then go into the monthly offer,
0:20:13 > 0:20:18but that would have to go through the office, obviously, and the claimant, if they'd accept that.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20What part-payment?
0:20:20 > 0:20:22That's up to you to tell me.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24A part-payment of £2,000?
0:20:24 > 0:20:25If that's what you're saying,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28I'll have to run that by the office and see what they say.
0:20:28 > 0:20:29- Can you try that, please?- OK.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31And when would you be looking to do that?
0:20:31 > 0:20:34As soon as you said that would be acceptable.
0:20:34 > 0:20:35I'll make the call.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39At last, there's some sign of movement,
0:20:39 > 0:20:44but the amount offered is still a long way short of the £8,500 owing.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Pete checks back in with the office.
0:20:48 > 0:20:53Will £2,000 be enough for the director to get Pete off his back?
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Hi, Lawrence. I'm just at the Southern UK Road Services at Manchester...
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Yeah...
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Yeah, no problem. OK, speak to you soon. Thanks, bye.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08Yeah. All right, Cheers, bye.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Erm, no, they want to remove.
0:21:13 > 0:21:14All right.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19That's not to say you can't up the offer and I can put a larger offer into him,
0:21:19 > 0:21:24but he's looking at half the amount, minimum, today, or we're removing.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29I certainly can't go to 4,000. Certainly can't go to 4,000.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- I mean, it's...- Let me come back to you.- Yep, no problem, thanks.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38The director heads back inside to reconsider his offer.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44We need some sort of payment today, and whether or not it's a substantial payment
0:21:44 > 0:21:48and then going to a monthly payment, or we are looking to remove goods.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53Having made more calls, the director's back with an improved offer.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56The totaliser now stands at £3,000.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02- Can you just try 3K? I mean, it's really squeezing it.- Right.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05I can try, but I have phoned him in-between you going in there
0:22:05 > 0:22:08and coming out, just to get some further checks on the operating
0:22:08 > 0:22:11licences of the end vehicles up there, that's all.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13I just said...
0:22:15 > 0:22:17- I am trying my best here. - Yeah, fine.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Pete accepts the director is being reasonable
0:22:21 > 0:22:25and trying to find a solution, but is his best offer good enough?
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Pete gets back to the office to find out.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32And he is trying, he's actually trying to try and sort it out.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36But the office is digging its heels in. 3K won't wash.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40He says we're not here to discuss it, we're here to basically remove items today,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43because you got the opportunity last time to prove,
0:22:43 > 0:22:47so we're not here, really, to enter a discussion about how much.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- It's full payment or remove. - I thought you said 50% earlier.
0:22:51 > 0:22:58I've said I can negotiate, but the least it will take is 50% of the outstanding value.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03Once again, it's the long walk back to the office for the director.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Shortly after, the director returns with news from his legal team.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13I've spoken very briefly, because the guy I need to speak to is in hospital at the moment,
0:23:13 > 0:23:17but he says he applied for a suspension of the warrant on Monday.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Right. That wouldn't stop our enforcement today.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22- I'm just saying what he said.- Yeah.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25So, I believe he hasn't got that piece of paper in his hand yet,
0:23:25 > 0:23:27so until he's got that piece of paper,
0:23:27 > 0:23:29I guess that's not going to do anything.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32No. And that takes time as well.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35I mean, the best way would be... I've just spoken to our office again,
0:23:35 > 0:23:41quite happily take the 50% today, and then give you the opportunity to sort the offer out
0:23:41 > 0:23:43- to pay the rest off.- Right.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Well, what I'll do is, because I've got to shoot off soon,
0:23:45 > 0:23:49I will squeeze 4,2 out.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Right, OK. It's 4,2-something, isn't it? Is that on card?
0:23:53 > 0:23:56- It'll be a bank transfer. - Bank transfer, OK, yeah.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59And it'll have to get authorised by somebody else, our accountant.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01Do you want me to come in and sort it out with you?
0:24:01 > 0:24:04I've got all the bank details where you need to pay it to.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08The director goes off to squeeze his £4,200 out.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11I'd rather that there was no filming inside.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15Right, that's fine. They don't want you to film inside.
0:24:16 > 0:24:17It's gone well for Pete.
0:24:17 > 0:24:22His tough negotiating has got Lesley Stonier the 50% minimum payment
0:24:22 > 0:24:26she and the office were after, with a payment plan to come for the rest.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29Yeah, that's a good result today.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32I don't think he could have come up with the full amount, from what he was telling me.
0:24:32 > 0:24:37Whether that's true or not, we don't know, but we have got 50% payment on that,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40and he has only got five days now to sort out the rest.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45Job done. Leslie Stonier can expect a hefty cheque in the post.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Southern UK Road Services settled out of court,
0:24:53 > 0:24:56and say they are a caring and nurturing business.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06Another person who's had to turn to the sheriffs for help is Jan Smith.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10She's run into problems with a local auction house,
0:25:10 > 0:25:14having inherited a number of valuable antiques from her family.
0:25:14 > 0:25:19My parents have died, and my brother died about five years ago,
0:25:19 > 0:25:22so we had a lot of inherited pieces from them.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26There was a lot of jewellery which belonged to my mother
0:25:26 > 0:25:32and some watches and a box set of silver coins.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35We thought probably, if we could get a reasonable amount of money,
0:25:35 > 0:25:39then maybe we might buy something with the proceeds,
0:25:39 > 0:25:42as a memento of parents and my brother.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47But to raise the money, she needed to sell the valuables.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Luckily, she'd come across a local auction house,
0:25:49 > 0:25:54Cameo Fine Art Auctioneers, which seemed to fit the bill.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56I'd driven past it a number of times,
0:25:56 > 0:26:01and it always had advertising... sales, forthcoming sales, etc,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04and also, of course, I had seen them on the television,
0:26:04 > 0:26:10the very auction site, so I thought, well, surely they would be reputable.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Jan took along the jewellery, some pottery left to her by her mother,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19and her brother's valuable collection of Chelsea Football Club memorabilia.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Over the next few weeks, many of the items went up for sale,
0:26:24 > 0:26:27much of it was sold, and Jan was able to watch it all online.
0:26:29 > 0:26:35I think the jewellery itself went for just under £2,000,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38and then, obviously, we had the family round here
0:26:38 > 0:26:41and we were all getting very excited about this.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46The sale netted Jan just under £3,000 in total,
0:26:46 > 0:26:50although the pottery and the football memorabilia weren't sold.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54Jan waited patiently for her money, but nothing came.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Despite regular calls and e-mails over several months,
0:26:57 > 0:27:02Cameo wouldn't send Jan her money or her remaining unsold items.
0:27:02 > 0:27:07I was getting very frustrated and very angry about their lack of communication
0:27:07 > 0:27:10and the fact that they had my money,
0:27:10 > 0:27:14but equally, they had my goods, my inherited goods.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18These belonged to my relatives, who'd died,
0:27:18 > 0:27:22and I was really very sad that somebody was just hanging onto them,
0:27:22 > 0:27:25or doing whatever with them. Who knows? So I then said,
0:27:25 > 0:27:30"Unless I hear from you and you start responding to my e-mails,
0:27:30 > 0:27:35"I will have to take this further and put it in the hands of a solicitor."
0:27:35 > 0:27:38But the threat of legal action had little effect.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42Jan was left with no choice but to take the auction house to the County Court.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46Cameo didn't attend, and the court awarded in Jan's favour.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49But despite further solicitor's letters,
0:27:49 > 0:27:53there's been no payment from Cameo or the return of Jan's unsold items.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58I haven't had any money whatsoever. It's just outrageous.
0:27:58 > 0:28:03It is outrageous that people can proceed like this
0:28:03 > 0:28:08and just take people for a ride, and that's what it is.
0:28:08 > 0:28:13I really want to see these people brought to some sort of justice, really.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18With no-one else to help her, Jan's had to turn to the sheriffs.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24If I get a call from the enforcement officers, once they've been down to Cameo,
0:28:24 > 0:28:28that they've paid in full, I will be absolutely delighted.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32If not, I will push to the end to see what further we need to do,
0:28:32 > 0:28:35because it wouldn't be the end of the story.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40Midday on the M4 westbound,
0:28:40 > 0:28:45and Sheriffs Lawrence and Mark are heading to Reading on Jan's behalf.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48They're going to see Cameo Fine Art Auctioneers.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53What we've got is a writ of delivery with a money order attached,
0:28:53 > 0:28:57which means we're there to actually remove specific goods
0:28:57 > 0:29:00which belong to our client, and to collect money on their behalf.
0:29:00 > 0:29:07High Court enforcement officers are no strangers to the world of auctioneers
0:29:07 > 0:29:09and the issues involved in seizures at their premises.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12The problem when you go to any auction house
0:29:12 > 0:29:15is the majority of the goods that are there aren't actually theirs.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20They've been put there to be sold on behalf of their clients.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23At this stage, we don't know what we're going to find.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25The specific items we're looking for should be there,
0:29:25 > 0:29:28because they were left with the auction house.
0:29:28 > 0:29:33It's not long before Mark spots the premises they're looking for.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35Cameo.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38They park up and head in.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42First, they need to find whoever's in charge.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46Hello, there. We're enforcement officers.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51We're here to execute a High Court writ. We've got a writ of delivery.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55Excuse me. What for? What for? I don't even know what this is about.
0:29:55 > 0:30:00- Right. We've got a writ of delivery on behalf of a Janet Smith...- Right.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02..for various items.
0:30:04 > 0:30:09With a High Court writ presented to him, the manager agrees to hear Lawrence out.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12But he asks our camera operator to leave.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15The negotiations will take place behind closed doors.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21An hour later, and the manager suddenly emerges.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25He heads off in his car, leaving the sheriffs inside the office.
0:30:27 > 0:30:32Before long, he returns. But what's he been doing?
0:30:34 > 0:30:36Lawrence comes downstairs to fill us in.
0:30:38 > 0:30:44The guy, he's gone and got £1,000 out of his own money,
0:30:44 > 0:30:49but I don't like walking away without full payment.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51Lawrence re-enters the fray.
0:30:51 > 0:30:57£1,000 is well short of the £4,260 that Jan Smith is owed.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04Sometime later, the sheriffs re-emerge.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06But did they get Jan her money?
0:31:08 > 0:31:11We met the gentleman in charge. He wasn't aware of any of this.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15He's not actually the owner. He later told us that the owner was aware of it,
0:31:15 > 0:31:21but obviously wasn't aware that we were going to be visiting him quite as quickly as we did.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24He agreed to pay us the full balance, although he couldn't do so today.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26He had to take £1,000 out of his own bank account
0:31:26 > 0:31:29and he's promised to pay the rest of the balance tomorrow.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32We've got a signed walk-in possession,
0:31:32 > 0:31:35we've got a right to force entry to commercial premises anyway.
0:31:35 > 0:31:40The sheriffs weren't able to find the auction items that Jan Smith wanted back,
0:31:40 > 0:31:43but it looks like they have been successful in getting her cash.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48We've left him in no doubt that we will be back if full payment
0:31:48 > 0:31:51isn't received into the account tomorrow, so it's watch this space.
0:31:51 > 0:31:56Half of me thinks he'll definitely do it, but you can never tell.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00You can never tell, so we'll just have to wait for payment to hit the account tomorrow,
0:32:00 > 0:32:02and if it doesn't, we'll be back.
0:32:03 > 0:32:08The sheriffs never close a case before payment is signed, sealed and delivered.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13They return to base to await developments.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26Former music teacher Martin Battersby has had to turn to the sheriffs
0:32:26 > 0:32:30after his dream of owning a children's nursery turned sour.
0:32:36 > 0:32:42His problems started after he decided he wanted to give up teaching and go into business.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46Wife Emma suggested they jointly buy and run a nursery.
0:32:46 > 0:32:51Found one that we thought we'd like,
0:32:51 > 0:32:56and I rang the estate agents the next day to say,
0:32:56 > 0:32:59"Could you put me on to a broker,
0:32:59 > 0:33:03"so I can see if I can actually raise the money to do this?"
0:33:03 > 0:33:07And they instantly passed me on to Chris Bull.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11Chris Bull ran Clear Business Mortgages.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15He read Martin and Emma's business plan and he agreed to try and find them a lender.
0:33:16 > 0:33:21There was a £750 fee, but they'd get £700 of it back if he couldn't raise them the money.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27So I paid the fee, we sorted the paperwork out, it was all gung ho,
0:33:27 > 0:33:32and then Chris rang me at the beginning of February to say,
0:33:32 > 0:33:35"I've run it past the bank, and they've said yes."
0:33:35 > 0:33:37Excellent!
0:33:37 > 0:33:40He said, "We've got it all sorted out, we should be able to do it."
0:33:40 > 0:33:46Delighted at the good news, Martin and Emma put in an offer for the dream nursery they'd seen online.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50It was a busy time for them, getting ready for their new business venture.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53- We'd got the date set, everything was in place.- Yeah.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56On top of that, solicitors had been involved,
0:33:56 > 0:34:00- so there was a good few thousand pounds' bill in solicitor's fees. - Yeah.
0:34:00 > 0:34:06The really silly part about it is I'd taken redundancy from work,
0:34:06 > 0:34:10thinking that we'd got this going, and I thought, "This is going to be excellent."
0:34:10 > 0:34:14Martin and Emma hurriedly spent Martin's redundancy money
0:34:14 > 0:34:18on essentials for their new nursery, like stationery and toys,
0:34:18 > 0:34:21all based on the mortgage Chris Bull had set up for them.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25I suppose we trusted him, at the end of the day.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28It was our first time buying a nursery, so we thought,
0:34:28 > 0:34:31"Well, he's the expert, he knows."
0:34:31 > 0:34:36But just when they needed to finalise the mortgage, there was bad news.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38Chris Bull said there was a delay.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41Then he went silent on them altogether.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45I'm ringing him, pestering him and texting him to say, "What's happening? What's happening?"
0:34:45 > 0:34:46Not getting any answers.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49I'd already set up a bank account
0:34:49 > 0:34:51with the bank I thought was loaning me the money.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55I dealt with the local business manager,
0:34:55 > 0:35:00and she turned round to me and said, "I've gone through this file. There's no money.
0:35:00 > 0:35:06"Yes, there's a file being raised, but there's been no monies agreed."
0:35:06 > 0:35:08And I'm, like, horrified. What's going on here?
0:35:08 > 0:35:11There was no mortgage.
0:35:11 > 0:35:15The money Chris Bull said the bank had agreed to hadn't been agreed at all.
0:35:15 > 0:35:21And no mortgage meant Martin and Emma had no choice but to pull out of the nursery sale.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25I really felt almost abandoned. I thought, "Well, what are we going to do here?"
0:35:25 > 0:35:31No job, money going out, money running out...
0:35:31 > 0:35:34and I've got nothing to do, I've got no future to go with
0:35:34 > 0:35:38and no business to have at the end of it.
0:35:38 > 0:35:43We felt silly and embarrassed by the fact that we'd been led along the garden path all of this time,
0:35:43 > 0:35:47and still nothing at the end of it. I felt angry with it as well,
0:35:47 > 0:35:51because I felt stupid that I'd allowed it to finish up like this,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54because we'd believed what he was saying.
0:35:54 > 0:36:00Chris Bull wouldn't even give them back the £700 fee he'd promised them was refundable.
0:36:00 > 0:36:05Desperate to recoup some of the money they'd spent on putting the nursery sale together,
0:36:05 > 0:36:07they took him to the County Court.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12Mr Bull didn't attend, and the court found in the Battersbys' favour.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16But Mr Bull still hasn't paid up.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20With nowhere left to turn, they've had to call on the sheriffs.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22I want my money back. End of.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25If, at any point, he could have actually said,
0:36:25 > 0:36:27"Look, I haven't got this bank stuff in place,
0:36:27 > 0:36:32"the finances aren't in place, we need to halt this until such time as we have..."
0:36:32 > 0:36:35- That would have done.- Yeah. I'd have been happy with that.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38OK, it wouldn't have been ideal, but I'd have been happy with it.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40He never even went down that route.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42He just strung us along, the whole way along.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45"Yeah, it's going to happen, it's going to happen."
0:36:45 > 0:36:48We've got nothing to lose now, in that sense.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52We're just trying to fight back and see what money we can get back from Chris.
0:36:53 > 0:36:59The Battersbys are owed over £5,000, and to get it back, they've come to Sheriff Pete,
0:36:59 > 0:37:02who feels some sympathy for what they must have gone through.
0:37:02 > 0:37:10The guy got told it was all OK, gave up his job, etc...
0:37:10 > 0:37:12to be left with nothing, basically.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18I think it's going to be his private address we're going to this morning. It is in his private name.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20Hopefully, he'll be in.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24If Mr Bull can't find the money,
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Pete's intending to seize any vehicles he might own.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32Obviously, if there is some vehicles there, we'll do some DVLA checks.
0:37:32 > 0:37:37If they come back as positive, we'll then HPI them to see if they're finance-free,
0:37:37 > 0:37:41with a view to removing them if he doesn't pay.
0:37:41 > 0:37:46Seizing people's cars isn't something the sheriffs undertake lightly.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52It's going to cause a big disruption to somebody to lose their vehicle, obviously,
0:37:52 > 0:37:56so it's a last resort to remove a vehicle,
0:37:56 > 0:37:59and it's obviously our last resort if we do have to remove it,
0:37:59 > 0:38:03and then it obviously goes to auction to be sold to recover the outstanding debt.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07Pete's nearly reached Chris Bull's address.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10The Battersbys, meanwhile, wait patiently at home for the result.
0:38:13 > 0:38:18On arrival, Pete spots a potential seizure target, and it's German-made.
0:38:18 > 0:38:23We've got a BMW in the driveway, by the look of it, if it's the correct house.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27That's the one. Private registration number as well on the car,
0:38:27 > 0:38:30so just make a quick note of the registration number.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34They've got the TV on, so somebody's at home.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42Time to head in and see whether Mr Bull's prepared to give the Battersbys
0:38:42 > 0:38:44the money they're legally due.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46KNOCK ON DOOR
0:38:50 > 0:38:52Hiya... OK, no problem. Mr Bull, is it?
0:38:52 > 0:38:54Enforcement officer, enforcing a High Court writ,
0:38:54 > 0:38:58regarding a Mr Battersby.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00Yeah? Are we OK? Yeah? Cheers, thank you.
0:39:01 > 0:39:02We're not invited in.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Will Pete get the Battersbys their money?
0:39:10 > 0:39:1240 minutes later, Pete re-emerges.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14Thanks. Cheers.
0:39:15 > 0:39:20We've collected £2,500 today of the outstanding amount, which was, I think, 5,2.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23The most he could transfer today and get hold of was two and a half.
0:39:23 > 0:39:28We've levied items in the property to protect the outstanding debt,
0:39:28 > 0:39:33and that'll stay there until the full payment's been made,
0:39:33 > 0:39:36so he's going to now look into a monthly offer.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40It will be £150 per month, that's what he said to me at the moment.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42He's going to have a look at his finances later on,
0:39:42 > 0:39:46when his partner returns, and maybe increase that offer.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52It's a good end to the day for Pete.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56Half the money the Battersbys are owed and more promised as part of a payment plan.
0:39:56 > 0:40:03And if that money isn't forthcoming, Pete will be back.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06We asked Mr Bull to comment.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08He told us that before the High Court writ was issued,
0:40:08 > 0:40:11he did attempt to make an offer to the Battersbys,
0:40:11 > 0:40:14but he claims that his offer was not received by them.
0:40:20 > 0:40:25A month after the sheriffs visited Cameo Fine Art Auctioneers,
0:40:25 > 0:40:28Jan Smith's received her money back in full,
0:40:28 > 0:40:31but she's still not got back the unsold pottery
0:40:31 > 0:40:34and football memorabilia she left with Cameo as well.
0:40:34 > 0:40:39I'm delighted, absolutely delighted that we have got the money back
0:40:39 > 0:40:41from the sale and the costs.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45However, the other goods, where are they?
0:40:45 > 0:40:50We don't know, and that is very, very frustrating.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54Following Sheriff Pete Spencer's visit to Chris Bull,
0:40:54 > 0:40:59Martin and Emma Battersby soon received their first payment, with more promised.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02It's a great step forward. We've got something back.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Hopefully, we'll get all of it back.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09It's now one month since the sheriffs paid Richard Hicks
0:41:09 > 0:41:14of RH Developments Cotswolds Ltd a visit on behalf of plumber Ray Millett.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17The good news for Ray is that since then, the company has agreed
0:41:17 > 0:41:22to a payment plan of £1,000 a month for the money he's owed.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25It is the best result we could have got. It was the right thing to do.
0:41:25 > 0:41:30The system is there for these situations, and people should use it.
0:41:34 > 0:41:35Next time...
0:41:37 > 0:41:41..it's the most important day of your life, but what do you do
0:41:41 > 0:41:46when your wedding photographer turns wedding bells into wedding hell?
0:41:46 > 0:41:50We can't get those memories. He just won't be able to video that again.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55The sheriffs invite him to speak now or for ever hold his peace.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59All right, we're in. Thank you very much.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01We're now going to do a diligent search of the property,
0:42:01 > 0:42:03because we've gained peaceful entry.
0:42:05 > 0:42:10Cleaner Michael Martin won an employment tribunal after being unfairly dismissed
0:42:10 > 0:42:14but still hasn't been given any of the money he was awarded.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17I was getting no closer, Christmas was coming,
0:42:17 > 0:42:19I had to cancel Christmas from the kids.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23When it comes to getting his money, can the sheriffs clean up?
0:42:23 > 0:42:27If we don't seize goods here today, we're in contempt of court.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30With her husband away fighting in Afghanistan,
0:42:30 > 0:42:35Louise Oakley-Green had to find and buy a new family car on her own,
0:42:35 > 0:42:40but she was sold a faulty Ford, and the company she bought it from wouldn't refund her.
0:42:41 > 0:42:46It has been one of the most stressful periods in my entire life.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50This experience I would not wish on my worst enemy.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd