Episode 10 The Sheriffs Are Coming


Episode 10

Similar Content

Browse content similar to Episode 10. Check below for episodes and series from the same categories and more!

Transcript


LineFromTo

-'Meet the sheriffs.'

-Let's go.

-We're High Court enforcement officers.

0:00:020:00:05

We're here today to execute a High Court writ.

0:00:050:00:07

'They're the men whose job it is to get you your money back...'

0:00:070:00:11

It's an arrestable offence to stop me.

0:00:110:00:12

'..if you've been ripped off and don't know where turn.'

0:00:120:00:15

-I'm not waiting.

-I'm ordered to seize goods to clear this debt, which would mean clearing this place out.

0:00:150:00:21

-'If you've been to court but still not been paid what you're owed...'

-Why don't you tell me who you are?

0:00:210:00:26

-This is an absolute crock. You need to pay this.

-'..the High Court enforcement officers

0:00:260:00:30

'are charged by law to recover what a court says is rightfully yours.'

0:00:300:00:34

-I've seized your car, sir.

-You either let us through the door or we'll go through the window.

-Whoa, whoa!

0:00:340:00:39

-'It's time to call the sheriffs.'

-I've collected 42 grand.

0:00:390:00:43

'Coming up, Fred and Adrian paid £20,000

0:00:460:00:51

'for a building project that barely got off the ground.'

0:00:510:00:54

I said, "Well, I just feel like I've been hoodwinked. Completely and utter hoodwinked."

0:00:540:01:00

'The sheriffs pay a visit to the builder.

0:01:010:01:03

'Can they get Fred and Adrian what they're owed?'

0:01:030:01:07

If you'd proved you own that personally, we'd have gone ten minutes ago

0:01:070:01:10

and there'd have been no cause for you to call the police.

0:01:100:01:13

'Beth and Janet spent their life savings on a horsebox

0:01:130:01:17

'that was unfit for the road.'

0:01:170:01:19

He just turned round to us and says, "Don't drive it, it's a fire risk."

0:01:190:01:24

'The sheriffs champ at the bit to get her money back.'

0:01:240:01:28

I'm here to collect an amount of £5,298.41.

0:01:280:01:32

It needs to be paid cash, debit or credit card.

0:01:320:01:35

'And sheriff Pete makes his third visit to a road services company.'

0:01:350:01:41

-Not on camera again.

-That's your choice, but I'm coming in anyway.

0:01:410:01:45

'The sheriffs will take on the recovery of any debt against any business.

0:01:470:01:53

'But in a country where every Englishman, not to mention Welshman's, home is his castle,

0:01:530:01:58

'it's not a surprise that one industry they visit more than most is builders.

0:01:580:02:03

'This morning, it's been a early start to beat the rush hour for sheriffs Kev and Lawrence.

0:02:050:02:11

'They're heading to East Anglia

0:02:110:02:13

'en route to their first job of the day,

0:02:130:02:16

'a visit to a construction company to collect a substantial sum of money.'

0:02:160:02:20

We're on our way to Stowmarket in Suffolk now, to a company called Temple Anglia Limited.

0:02:200:02:26

We've got a High Court writ. Half past eight-ish now.

0:02:260:02:29

We're not very far away.

0:02:310:02:33

'The people they're on their way to help

0:02:340:02:36

'are Fred Rich and Adrian Butcher.

0:02:360:02:39

'They bought a house in East Sussex

0:02:450:02:47

'which they wanted to double as a workspace for their enamel designing business.'

0:02:470:02:51

The house had potential for a reasonable-size extension,

0:02:510:02:55

and rather than trying to adapt something that was already there,

0:02:550:03:00

we liked the idea of actually starting relatively from scratch

0:03:000:03:04

to design the working accommodation the way we wanted it.

0:03:040:03:09

And this property really fitted the bill.

0:03:090:03:11

'Working with an architect, they designed the house the way they wanted it

0:03:110:03:16

'and got planning permission for their project.

0:03:160:03:18

'All they needed now to turn their dream into reality was a builder,

0:03:180:03:22

'which is where Andrew Parkinson came in.'

0:03:220:03:25

A good friend of ours who we've known through work for many, many years

0:03:250:03:31

recommended Andrew Parkinson as a possible builder.

0:03:310:03:36

We did everything that you should do,

0:03:360:03:41

we went on recommendation,

0:03:410:03:43

we inspected the work from a previous client of his

0:03:430:03:48

and we got a detailed contract.

0:03:480:03:50

'Mr Parkinson inspected the house and the designs

0:03:500:03:53

'and they agreed a price of £96,215,

0:03:530:03:58

'just within Fred and Adrian's budget.

0:03:580:04:01

'A contract was drawn up, signed

0:04:010:04:03

'and Fred and Adrian paid the first £20,000 stage payment.

0:04:030:04:07

'But no sooner had work started than problems began to emerge.

0:04:070:04:12

'When Fred and Adrian saw the tiles in their contract, they thought they'd breach planning permission.

0:04:120:04:17

'Soon after, the builder wanted more money

0:04:170:04:20

'to deal with asbestos in the garage ceiling,

0:04:200:04:22

'which Fred and Adrian said they warned him of before the contract had been signed.

0:04:220:04:27

'Raising their concerns, they didn't find Mr Parkinson's responses reassuring.'

0:04:270:04:32

There was a string of little things all the time,

0:04:320:04:35

and then every time... We were expressing our concerns to him quite a lot.

0:04:350:04:40

It wasn't being poo-poohed, but there was no, kind of, pacifying us or helping us along,

0:04:400:04:45

saying, "No, don't worry, don't worry, it'll be fine," none of that at all.

0:04:450:04:48

'Without any reassurance from Mr Parkinson

0:04:480:04:51

'and with costs rising, other problems were emerging.

0:04:510:04:55

'Fred and Adrian invited their architect back to look at the work being done.'

0:04:550:05:00

The architect went outside to see the brick work

0:05:000:05:02

and basically condemned it there and then,

0:05:020:05:05

so that really threw a spanner in the works,

0:05:050:05:07

because by then we were starting to get more and more worried and that really did not help.

0:05:070:05:11

He said that the walls would attract damp and all the rest of it.

0:05:110:05:14

We started to realise that there were certain things,

0:05:140:05:17

again, the costs were starting to escalate, the kitchen was going to cost more,

0:05:170:05:21

the roof was going to end up costing us more.

0:05:210:05:23

'But before they'd resolved these problems, Andrew Parkinson hit them with a bombshell.

0:05:230:05:28

'He said that VAT,

0:05:280:05:31

'which Fred and Adrian believed was included in the original contract price,

0:05:310:05:35

'would be a 20% addition to the £96,215 already agreed.'

0:05:350:05:42

It was during one of his rare site visits.

0:05:420:05:44

He came out with the point

0:05:440:05:48

that VAT was not included within our contract,

0:05:480:05:52

and that just completely floored us.

0:05:520:05:56

All the listings of all the works that were being carried out

0:05:560:05:59

listed the contract price at £96,250.

0:05:590:06:02

We had already paid the deposit totalling £20,000.

0:06:020:06:08

It wasn't £20,000 plus VAT.

0:06:080:06:10

We handed him the two cheques that came to £20,000

0:06:100:06:13

and he gladly accepted them and work commenced.

0:06:130:06:17

So when we asked him, where was the mechanism that collected this £19,000...

0:06:170:06:22

-Where was the VAT?

-Where's the mechanism to collect that?

0:06:220:06:27

-And, of course, he couldn't answer.

-I said to him,

0:06:270:06:30

"I just feel I've been hoodwinked, completely and utterly hoodwinked."

0:06:300:06:33

I think at that point, with all the smaller problems that we'd had,

0:06:330:06:37

we felt that we were just being taken for a ride, really.

0:06:370:06:41

'Mr Parkinson strenuously denies this

0:06:410:06:44

'and says the VAT issue was not decided by the court.

0:06:440:06:47

'It was, however, the last straw for Fred and Adrian.

0:06:470:06:51

'Unhappy at the standard of work and the rising costs,

0:06:510:06:54

'Fred and Adrian made their feelings clear.

0:06:540:06:57

'Andrew Parkinson then refused to work under the terms of the contract,

0:06:570:07:01

'so the project ground to a halt.

0:07:010:07:04

'With the job unfinished, they'd paid out £20,000,

0:07:040:07:08

'but wanted the money back.

0:07:080:07:10

'They tried to negotiate a solution with Andrew Parkinson,

0:07:100:07:14

'but a satisfactory settlement proved elusive.'

0:07:140:07:17

We sort of kept giving him the opportunity to give us

0:07:170:07:22

the information that we needed to move forward,

0:07:220:07:25

he was clearly not having any of that, so in the June we said,

0:07:250:07:29

"Unless we hear from you by the end of the month, we'll be taking the matter to court."

0:07:290:07:35

'After months of legal proceedings, Fred and Adrian agreed

0:07:350:07:39

'a £12,000 out-of-court settlement with Andrew Parkinson.'

0:07:390:07:44

He agreed to pay us money back and we thought,

0:07:440:07:47

"Fine, that draws a line and we can move on."

0:07:470:07:51

Of course, we never received any money.

0:07:510:07:54

The money was due to be paid over a period.

0:07:540:07:57

We never received a penny.

0:07:570:07:59

'With no payment forthcoming, Fred and Adrian went back to court

0:07:590:08:03

'and got a judgment ordering Andrew Parkinson to pay them £12,000.

0:08:030:08:08

'Despite this, they've still not received anything from him.

0:08:080:08:11

'Their only hope now of seeing any of their money

0:08:110:08:15

'rests with Lawrence and Kev.

0:08:150:08:18

'Arriving at the address named on the writ,

0:08:200:08:22

'they're eager to get this enforcement started.'

0:08:220:08:25

DOORBELL RINGS / DOG BARKS

0:08:250:08:28

-It's stopped barking now.

-Mm.

0:08:300:08:33

Which normally means somebody's told it to stop barking. Dogs don't stop barking on their own.

0:08:330:08:37

There's somebody in.

0:08:370:08:39

'Apart from a dog, there doesn't appear to be anyone in,

0:08:390:08:43

'so Lawrence decides it's time for a spot of exploring.'

0:08:430:08:47

Let's see what we can see.

0:08:470:08:49

The office is in the back garden.

0:08:540:08:57

Have you had a look round the front? There's a kitchen. Have a look through the kitchen window.

0:08:570:09:01

The dog's in there. It's in the kitchen.

0:09:010:09:04

Right, have a look at the dog when I press the bell.

0:09:040:09:07

Go back and look at the dog

0:09:070:09:10

as I press the bell and see if it does anything.

0:09:100:09:14

'Lawrence has a hunch the dog may give away its owner's whereabouts.'

0:09:150:09:19

DOORBELL RINGS

0:09:190:09:21

Inspired, Sherlock.

0:09:210:09:23

It's locked in the kitchen.

0:09:230:09:26

HE KNOCKS ON DOOR

0:09:270:09:29

'But whatever the dog's doing, there's no sign of anyone being in.

0:09:300:09:34

'The sheriffs' options are limited.'

0:09:340:09:37

Let's retreat to the discretion of the van, then.

0:09:380:09:41

'There's nothing else to do but sit tight and wait to see if someone comes home.

0:09:410:09:48

'Later, we'll see what happens when the builder does return

0:09:490:09:52

'and he's less than pleased to meet the sheriffs.'

0:09:520:09:56

Give me some confirmation of who you are. I want some documentation.

0:09:560:09:59

What I suggest you do, sir, is just deal with it.

0:09:590:10:02

'Fred and Adrian's is just one of over 70,000 High Court writs

0:10:050:10:09

'executed by sheriffs in England and Wales every year.'

0:10:090:10:13

Today it will need to be dealt with.

0:10:130:10:15

'Anyone that manages to obtain a county court judgment of over £600

0:10:150:10:20

-'can upgrade it to the High Court to get a writ.'

-Good morning, sir.

0:10:200:10:25

'Once a writ is awarded, almost nothing can stop it.

0:10:250:10:28

'Even if a debtor appeals a writ,

0:10:280:10:31

'it won't stop the sheriffs collecting.'

0:10:310:10:33

This place, trust me, could be emptied in about an hour.

0:10:330:10:36

'Only a full court annulment can do that.

0:10:360:10:39

'These days, a High Court writ costs £60.

0:10:390:10:43

'If the sheriffs are successful, there's nothing more for the client to pay.

0:10:430:10:46

'If they're unsuccessful, the only cost is a £60 admin fee.'

0:10:460:10:51

Thank you.

0:10:510:10:53

'On the road and heading for Derbyshire

0:11:020:11:05

'are sheriffs Darryl Oreton and Mark Povey.

0:11:050:11:08

'They're paying a surprise visit to Danny Jackson,

0:11:090:11:12

'the boss of a company called Bonfield Horseboxes,

0:11:120:11:16

'looking to collect just over £5,000.

0:11:160:11:20

'But as it's the boss's home address they're going to,

0:11:200:11:23

'Darryl's aware this visit could prove tricky.'

0:11:230:11:25

Although it's a business name,

0:11:250:11:27

we're actually going to a residential property

0:11:270:11:30

and obviously, because it's residential,

0:11:300:11:32

most of the assets there are going to belong to him personally or him and his wife.

0:11:320:11:37

Not the company assets. But we'll see when we get there.

0:11:370:11:41

They may have something out the back, they may have a workshop

0:11:410:11:44

or some horseboxes on site, that's what we're hoping for.

0:11:440:11:47

But we won't know, obviously, until we get there.

0:11:470:11:50

'The sheriffs are attending on behalf of three very unhappy customers of Bonfield's,

0:11:520:11:57

'Janet and Beth Mercer from Durham and daughter Alice.

0:11:570:12:02

'11-year-old Alice is a hugely promising horse rider

0:12:020:12:05

'with realistic dreams of making it to the top of the dressage world.

0:12:050:12:11

'This requires considerable dedication from both Alice

0:12:110:12:14

'and her mother, GP nurse Beth.'

0:12:140:12:17

Riding's going to be her profession. I'm convinced it's going to be her profession.

0:12:170:12:21

We've been told Alice has something special

0:12:210:12:23

and we will do everything we can to give her that start in life.

0:12:230:12:28

I work six days a week and on the seventh day, she competes.

0:12:280:12:31

'Their problems began when Beth decided to purchase a horsebox wagon

0:12:310:12:36

'that could transport and sleep her, Alice and beloved pony Quiz

0:12:360:12:40

'as they travelled to riding competitions across the country.

0:12:400:12:44

'But instead of making the pursuit of their dream easier,

0:12:450:12:48

'it's left them out of pocket,

0:12:480:12:51

'forced to go to court and desperately in need of the sheriffs' help.'

0:12:510:12:55

You're just being nosy now, aren't you?

0:12:590:13:02

'Beth's search for a wagon brought her to Danny Jackson's Bonfield Horseboxes in Derby.

0:13:020:13:08

'Before visiting, she made sure to check their reputation first.'

0:13:080:13:12

I got in touch with Trading Standards, they had no issues with them,

0:13:120:13:17

so we thought that we were safe to go with this company.

0:13:170:13:20

'At Bonfield's lock-up,

0:13:210:13:23

'Beth found a horsebox which was exactly what she was looking for.

0:13:230:13:27

'She agreed to pay £4,500 for it

0:13:270:13:31

'on the condition some minor repairs were carried out as part of the deal.'

0:13:310:13:36

It was a used wagon, it wasn't going to be perfect.

0:13:360:13:38

There was about eight things that needed doing and it was the electrics checked, a bit of welding.

0:13:380:13:42

He actually stated in an email that they would do all this before they delivered the wagon to us.

0:13:420:13:48

Go on, then, missus.

0:13:480:13:50

'But when the vehicle arrived, it was clear all was far from well.'

0:13:500:13:54

They arrived, parked it, got out, here's the papers, and went.

0:13:540:13:59

Never had a chance to look at it or anything like that.

0:13:590:14:02

A matter of five minutes he was there and went.

0:14:040:14:07

I came in from work, looked at it and I went, "He's got to be joking."

0:14:080:14:12

'None of the minor repairs that were supposed to have been carried out as part of the sale

0:14:130:14:18

'had been done, even though Bonfield's had promised they would be in writing.

0:14:180:14:23

'Annoyed, Beth tried to call them to complain

0:14:230:14:27

'but no-one would pick up the phone to explain why the faults hadn't been fixed.

0:14:270:14:32

'Urgently needing the vehicle to move Quiz,

0:14:320:14:34

'she was forced to drive it anyway.

0:14:340:14:37

'Then, on one of Beth's first drives with it, disaster struck,

0:14:370:14:41

'as another far more serious fault became apparent.'

0:14:410:14:45

As I was coming down the hill, the lights just went and I thought, "What the heck?"

0:14:450:14:50

I slammed the brakes on and the lights came back on.

0:14:500:14:52

I thought it was a loose connection.

0:14:520:14:54

But we steadily lost lights.

0:14:540:14:56

I mean, the last half mile, I drove home with absolutely no lights, pitch black.

0:14:560:15:01

I've never had a journey like it.

0:15:010:15:04

I don't know how we didn't end up down the ditch, but we got it back.

0:15:040:15:07

The mechanic came out, looked at it and said, "Give us the keys, don't start it, don't touch it."

0:15:070:15:14

'The mechanic proceeded to examine the horsebox

0:15:140:15:18

'and gave Beth and Janet some devastating news.

0:15:180:15:21

'In its present state, it was fit only for the glue factory.'

0:15:210:15:26

And he just said, "It's just beyond repair, really."

0:15:260:15:30

Wires had been pieced together. Instead of rewired, wires had been pieced together

0:15:300:15:36

and one of the joined pieces was touching.

0:15:360:15:39

He just turned round to us and says,

0:15:390:15:41

"Don't drive it, it's a fire risk."

0:15:410:15:44

He said, "You could just get down the road and everything will go up in flames."

0:15:440:15:48

I was really quite angry

0:15:480:15:50

that he could let me drive a vehicle with my daughter in,

0:15:500:15:53

with my mother in and also with a pony.

0:15:530:15:56

I mean, the pony's as much a part of the family, as well, you know.

0:15:560:16:00

'With the horsebox effectively written off,

0:16:010:16:03

'Beth and Janet wrote to Mr Jackson demanding he take back the vehicle and give them a full refund.

0:16:030:16:10

'He replied once, asking what vehicle they were referring to,

0:16:100:16:13

'then failed to respond to any further calls or emails.

0:16:130:16:17

'With Danny Jackson continuing to ignore their letters,

0:16:170:16:21

'Beth and Janet's only option was to take Bonfield's to court.'

0:16:210:16:25

I felt so angry. It makes you even more determined

0:16:250:16:28

to take it to the end and get back what you're owed.

0:16:280:16:31

'When the case went to court,

0:16:310:16:33

'Mr Jackson admitted there were faults with the wagon

0:16:330:16:36

'and agreed to pick up, repair and sell the vehicle

0:16:360:16:39

'to pay Beth's money back.

0:16:390:16:42

'If he hadn't sold it within 90 days,

0:16:420:16:44

'he promised to start paying off the debt at £600 a month instead.

0:16:440:16:49

'But then, as months passed, nothing happened.

0:16:490:16:52

'No money was paid and he failed to pick up the horsebox.'

0:16:520:16:57

I don't know how he goes to bed and sleeps at night. I don't know how he can do it. I couldn't.

0:16:570:17:02

'Beth and Janet's last hope of getting their money back

0:17:040:17:07

'now rests on sheriffs Darryl and Mark's shoulders.

0:17:070:17:10

'When they arrive at Danny Jackson's home, the driveway's full of vehicles,

0:17:110:17:16

'including what they hoped for, a horsebox.

0:17:160:17:20

'If it's owned by Bonfield's, they can seize it if no payment's forthcoming.

0:17:220:17:27

'So they make sure it's blocked in by their van.

0:17:270:17:30

'No-one's answering the door,

0:17:320:17:34

'but Darryl manages to raise business owner Danny Jackson through an open window.'

0:17:340:17:38

I'm an enforcement officer.

0:17:380:17:40

I've got a High Court writ to execute against Bonfield Horseboxes on behalf of Beth Mercer.

0:17:400:17:46

I'm here to collect an amount of £5298.41

0:17:490:17:53

or to seize goods to the value of.

0:17:530:17:56

Needs to be paid, cash, debit or credit card.

0:17:560:17:58

I think you do, sir.

0:17:580:18:01

This is a woman that you sold a faulty horsebox to.

0:18:030:18:07

'A few minutes later, Danny Jackson comes back

0:18:110:18:15

'and asks Darryl and Mark to leave.'

0:18:150:18:18

No, we won't be leaving, sir.

0:18:180:18:20

Vehicles will be seized if the amount isn't paid within the hour.

0:18:200:18:23

Any which will cover the debt.

0:18:260:18:28

Any which will cover the debt and costs.

0:18:280:18:32

-What about the truck?

-Sorry?

-What about the horse truck.

0:18:320:18:35

You got any proof, documentation for that?

0:18:360:18:38

Do you want to grab that for us?

0:18:390:18:41

'While Danny Jackson goes looking for his documentation,

0:18:410:18:45

'Darryl heads to the back of the house.

0:18:450:18:47

'Sheriffs are legally entitled to enter a residential property named in a writ

0:18:470:18:52

'through an unlocked door or window,

0:18:520:18:54

'and Darryl finds that the back door isn't locked.

0:18:540:18:58

'He takes his chance to enter.'

0:18:580:19:00

Is it Mr Jackson, is it?

0:19:000:19:02

Do you have proof of purchase on any of the vehicles, as well,

0:19:020:19:06

not just the log book?

0:19:060:19:08

'Mr Jackson is not at all happy about Darryl being in his house

0:19:080:19:13

'and decides to take emergency action.'

0:19:130:19:16

Yes, I want the police, please.

0:19:170:19:19

-Yes, I've got a team of blokes round here...

-Enforcement officers.

0:19:190:19:24

-Enforcement officers. They forced themselves in the house.

-We didn't force our way in.

0:19:240:19:28

Yeah, but I want police assistance.

0:19:290:19:33

Because he just pushed himself in the house.

0:19:330:19:35

It's the first I've heard of it.

0:19:350:19:37

It's not the first you've heard of it, sir.

0:19:370:19:40

'With the police now on their way, Darryl and Mr Jackson get back to the matter in hand.'

0:19:400:19:45

-What do you want off me? Proof of what?

-We want payment.

0:19:460:19:48

-I ain't got payment.

-Is there anyone that can help you out with it today?

0:19:480:19:52

-Sorry?

-Is there anybody that can help you out with it today?

0:19:520:19:54

-No, because I didn't know you were coming.

-Do you want to make a few phone calls?

0:19:540:19:58

At this time in the morning, who am I going to ring up?

0:19:580:20:00

I don't know your circumstances, but at this time, you owe the money.

0:20:000:20:04

'Mr Jackson says he can't afford to pay the debt

0:20:040:20:06

'as he's been out of work for two years due to ill health.

0:20:060:20:10

'He insists Bonfield Horseboxes is an old trading name

0:20:100:20:14

'which has nothing to do with any assets on his property not even the horsebox.'

0:20:140:20:19

We need to get the money raised or goods are going to be seized.

0:20:190:20:23

Do you know anyone that can put this on a credit card for you?

0:20:240:20:27

Nothing on this premises belongs to Bonfield Horseboxes.

0:20:270:20:30

We've got down from Companies House that it's trading from this address. So as far as we're concerned,

0:20:300:20:35

goods on this premises are owned by Bonfield Horseboxes.

0:20:350:20:40

Not so. Because it's not a registered business.

0:20:400:20:42

Do you want to make some phone calls and try and get some money raised? We'll take a debit or credit card.

0:20:420:20:47

-I can't do it. I can't get £5,000.

-You need to get proof of purchase on the vehicles, then. The horsebox...

0:20:470:20:52

'Mr Jackson will need to prove the vehicles on the property

0:20:540:20:56

'don't belong to Bonfield Horseboxes.

0:20:560:20:59

'But while he sets about doing that, on the other side of the house...'

0:20:590:21:03

-I think the police are here.

-'Darryl heads out to talk to the boys in blue.'

0:21:030:21:08

-Hello, sir.

-We're enforcement officers.

0:21:080:21:11

We've got a High Court writ against Bonfield Horseboxes.

0:21:110:21:14

Obviously, we're just trying to get this money raised or seize goods to the value of.

0:21:140:21:19

-He's saying nothing here belongs to Bonfield.

-Right.

0:21:190:21:23

'Darryl knows he's operating legally on the property

0:21:230:21:26

'and that the police are only likely to help him.

0:21:260:21:29

'Mr Jackson, however, is hopeful that the long arm of the law will be on his side.'

0:21:290:21:34

-Morning.

-Hello, how are you?

-All right, are you?

-Yeah.

0:21:340:21:37

-It's a dispute about a horsebox.

-So this Bonfield are the company?

0:21:370:21:41

-Bonfield Horseboxes.

-Is that your own company?

0:21:410:21:44

Yes, but... Well, it was, like, yeah.

0:21:440:21:48

-I sold out two years ago. But I didn't know...

-Right, OK.

0:21:480:21:53

'Mr Jackson explains his side of the situation to the police,

0:21:530:21:57

'but there's nothing they can do to help him.

0:21:570:21:59

'But even though the law's on Darryl's side, he's running into problems.

0:21:590:22:03

'Mr Jackson won't pay

0:22:030:22:06

'and Darryl can't prove anything on the property definitely belongs to Bonfield Horseboxes.'

0:22:060:22:11

-I think he owns that, but I can't prove it.

-No.

0:22:110:22:15

'The police depart as there's nothing more they can do.

0:22:160:22:20

'But before he follows them, Darryl wants to make one last attempt to convince Mr Jackson to pay up.'

0:22:200:22:26

The debt's not going to go away. It needs to be paid.

0:22:260:22:28

It can be paid in full or it can be paid over instalments.

0:22:280:22:32

We can take a credit card. We've got a PDQ machine.

0:22:320:22:37

I can give you a credit card, but there's nothing that can come out of it, I can tell you that.

0:22:370:22:41

Cos, you know, I just haven't got the money.

0:22:410:22:45

'With Mr Jackson still refusing to pay,

0:22:460:22:49

'Darryl decides to carry out a walking possession,

0:22:490:22:53

'seizing what assets he can on paper.

0:22:530:22:56

'They technically belong to the court now.

0:22:560:22:58

'If Mr Jackson can't prove they don't belong to Bonfield Horseboxes in the next five days,

0:22:580:23:03

'then the sheriffs might need to remove and auction them.'

0:23:030:23:07

What we'll have to do, we'll leave you with some paperwork.

0:23:070:23:10

Like I say, the debt's not going to go away, it's only going to increase if we have to call out again.

0:23:100:23:15

I've been up there...

0:23:150:23:17

'Mr Jackson wants to tell us his side of the story.

0:23:170:23:20

'He says he tried to abide by the court judgment and went to Durham to collect the horsebox

0:23:200:23:25

'with a view to selling it to pay back the Mercers.

0:23:250:23:28

'But he says the landowner where it's currently parked wouldn't let it go.'

0:23:280:23:32

We went up there twice, total of 250 there, 1,000 miles we've done trying to get it

0:23:320:23:38

and the bloke would not release it.

0:23:380:23:40

'All Darryl can do is reflect on a testing visit.'

0:23:400:23:45

Not the greatest of calls. It wasn't brilliant from the offset, really.

0:23:450:23:48

Company at home address, never great.

0:23:480:23:51

Hopefully this bit of pressure today will make him go and get the vehicle back, get it sold

0:23:510:23:56

and then Miss Mercer will get the full money that she's owed.

0:23:560:24:00

'Thankfully for Beth and Janet, Darryl was right.

0:24:010:24:04

'It seems their surprise visit was enough to inspire a change of heart from Mr Jackson.

0:24:040:24:10

'He later agreed to pay in full

0:24:100:24:12

'and has now also picked up the horsebox.

0:24:120:24:15

'Finally, the delighted Mercer family can now move on from their ordeal.'

0:24:160:24:21

I think the sheriffs going out made him take notice of the fact that we weren't going to go away.

0:24:210:24:26

He did then actually get in touch with the court

0:24:260:24:29

and then offered to pay the full balance.

0:24:290:24:32

Hopefully, Alice will be able to get out and compete a bit more,

0:24:320:24:35

cos I'm not going to be working six days a week.

0:24:350:24:38

-Extremely good result.

-Yeah.

-But we wouldn't have got it without the sheriffs.

-Absolutely.

0:24:380:24:42

HE KNOCKS AT DOOR

0:24:480:24:50

'Back in Suffolk, sheriffs Lawrence and Kev are still waiting for builder Andrew Parkinson,

0:24:500:24:55

'boss of Temple Anglia Limited.

0:24:550:24:58

'They're looking to collect over £14,000,

0:24:580:25:00

'including interest, court and sheriff fees,

0:25:000:25:03

'on behalf of Fred Rich and Adrian Butcher

0:25:030:25:07

'following a dispute over a building project they'd paid out £20,000 for.

0:25:070:25:12

'Finally, half an hour later,

0:25:120:25:14

'an expensive-looking car pulls up on the drive

0:25:140:25:17

'and things are looking up. It's time for some introductions.'

0:25:170:25:22

Hello, sir. I'm looking for Temple Anglia Limited.

0:25:220:25:25

It's not here? My name's Mr Grix, I'm a enforcement officer.

0:25:250:25:30

I've got a High Court writ to execute against Temple Anglia and this is the address we've been sent to.

0:25:300:25:35

The total outstanding at the moment is £14,225.74.

0:25:350:25:40

'It's the director of Temple Anglia Limited, Andrew Parkinson.

0:25:400:25:44

'He insists there are no assets at the property relating to the company.

0:25:440:25:48

'He says the sheriffs have come to his home address

0:25:480:25:51

'that has nothing to do with the business

0:25:510:25:53

'and they have no right to be there. Lawrence disagrees.'

0:25:530:25:57

I can be sent to any address in England and Wales where it's believed the defendant has assets.

0:25:570:26:02

You're a director of the company so you can deal with this,

0:26:020:26:05

because you are a director, so you're refusing to deal with it.

0:26:050:26:08

'With Mr Parkinson not interested in paying the debt,

0:26:090:26:12

'Lawrence's interest shifts to one asset he can't deny is there.

0:26:120:26:16

'The car he arrived in.'

0:26:160:26:18

So the Jaguar is yours personally? Have you got proof of that, sir?

0:26:200:26:23

Otherwise we'll be seizing that today.

0:26:230:26:25

'He repeats that there are no company assets at the property.'

0:26:250:26:29

You need to prove it, sir.

0:26:290:26:31

'He threatens to call the police if Lawrence doesn't leave his premises.'

0:26:310:26:35

OK, call the police. Go and block the drive, Kev.

0:26:350:26:38

We'll clear it up when the police arrive.

0:26:410:26:43

'With Andrew Parkinson fuming, our camera withdraws to the street

0:26:450:26:49

'so as not to enflame the situation further.

0:26:490:26:52

'With the Jag safely blocked in, Kev calls the office to check its ownership

0:26:520:26:57

'while a clearly riled Mr Parkinson tries to convince the police

0:26:570:27:01

'they should intervene and make the sheriffs leave his property.

0:27:010:27:05

'Determined to get Fred and Adrian's money,

0:27:050:27:08

'Lawrence and Kev are standing firm.'

0:27:080:27:11

-Do an HPI on that?

-Yeah, please.

0:27:110:27:13

Hi, Kathy, it's Kev. Can you do an HPI for us, please?

0:27:130:27:18

'With the law on his side, Lawrence tries to reason with Mr Parkinson

0:27:180:27:22

'not to waste police time.'

0:27:220:27:24

This is the address on the writ.

0:27:240:27:26

Our only interest at the moment is the vehicle.

0:27:260:27:29

If you'd proved that you own that personally, we'd have been gone ten minutes ago

0:27:290:27:33

and there'd have been no cause to call the police.

0:27:330:27:35

'When the office calls back, it's not the news Lawrence and Kev were hoping for.

0:27:370:27:42

'The car's nothing to do with the business named on the writ.'

0:27:420:27:46

All right, Kathy. Thanks very much. Bye.

0:27:460:27:49

-It's on finance.

-Is it? He's gone to get us the proof now, now we've had the call.

0:27:500:27:55

'It's frustrating for the sheriffs.

0:27:550:27:58

'With the debtor saying he won't pay and with the car on finance

0:27:580:28:02

'and therefore not seizable, there's not much more they can do today to get Fred and Adrian's money back.'

0:28:020:28:09

We've got too many miles to do.

0:28:090:28:11

'As they prepare to leave, Mr Parkinson decides to come out

0:28:110:28:15

'and continue the debate on the street.'

0:28:150:28:18

We've had confirmation that it's on finance.

0:28:180:28:20

You might want to call the police so you're not wasting their time.

0:28:200:28:23

-Can you give me some

-BLEEP

-confirmation of who you are?

0:28:230:28:25

I've got some paperwork for you, sir, actually.

0:28:250:28:28

-There you go, sir.

-Thank you very much. You're not entitled...

-Yes, we are. Yes, we are.

0:28:280:28:32

-This is not the registered address.

-We know what our job requires.

0:28:320:28:35

It doesn't matter whether it's the registered office or not. This is the address on the writ.

0:28:350:28:40

'Lawrence offers him some legal advice.'

0:28:400:28:42

What I suggest you do, sir, is just deal with it.

0:28:420:28:45

It's not going to go away, it's a High Court writ.

0:28:450:28:48

Let me tell you something. I am dealing with it, cos in a week, the company won't exist.

0:28:480:28:52

'If Mr Parkinson carries through with this threat

0:28:520:28:56

'and dissolves Temple Anglia Limited, the company named on the writ,

0:28:560:29:00

'it's likely to prove a body blow to Fred and Adrian's chances of getting their money back.

0:29:000:29:06

'As the sheriffs depart, his refusal to deal with the company's debt

0:29:060:29:10

'has left Lawrence far from happy.'

0:29:100:29:12

There were no assets to take. He said he's dealing with it

0:29:120:29:17

because in a week's time, the company won't exist,

0:29:170:29:19

which is a typical way out for a lot of companies in this day and age.

0:29:190:29:24

It's... You know, it's disgraceful

0:29:240:29:27

the way limited companies are allowed to run up loads of debts and just fold.

0:29:270:29:32

It shouldn't be allowed. They should tighten up on it.

0:29:320:29:35

'It's not the outcome Fred and Adrian were hoping for,

0:29:350:29:39

'but the sheriffs won't be giving up and will now investigate other places

0:29:390:29:43

'Mr Parkinson's company may have assets.

0:29:430:29:46

'Andrew Parkinson told us that he contested Fred and Adrian's court claim

0:29:460:29:50

'and that all parties had agreed to dispute resolution.

0:29:500:29:54

'He said it had been a commercial decision on his behalf to agree a settlement.

0:29:540:29:59

'He denies there was anything wrong with the work he carried out

0:29:590:30:02

'and vigorously disputes that the contract amount agreed

0:30:020:30:05

'was ever inclusive of VAT.

0:30:050:30:08

'He said he is currently working with his accountants

0:30:080:30:10

'to settle the agreed claim of £12,000.'

0:30:100:30:14

Give it the bailiff knock. HE KNOCKS ON DOOR

0:30:190:30:22

'For most people, one encounter with the sheriffs is more than enough

0:30:220:30:26

'to make them realise it's better to pay up the money they owe before it gets to that stage.'

0:30:260:30:32

-Come on, then, get it.

-Yeah? There you go. I'll write you out a receipt.

0:30:320:30:37

'But today, sheriffs Pete Spencer and Dave Lockwood

0:30:370:30:41

'are going back to the same company for the third time.'

0:30:410:30:44

We're on our way to Southern UK Road Services,

0:30:440:30:47

just outside Manchester.

0:30:470:30:50

The total due today is £1,303.95

0:30:500:30:55

and he's been in a payment plan to pay monthly

0:30:550:30:59

and he's failed his payment plan, that's why we're returning today,

0:30:590:31:02

to potentially remove goods to the value of or to collect the balance in full.

0:31:020:31:08

'In our last series, Pete had two separate encounters with Mr Wrigley,

0:31:120:31:17

'director of a company called Southern UK Road Services.

0:31:170:31:21

'They were there on behalf of a former employee, Leslie Stonier,

0:31:210:31:26

'whom a court ruled had been unfairly dismissed by the company.

0:31:260:31:29

'A judge awarded her £8,500.

0:31:290:31:34

'When Southern UK Road Services failed to pay,

0:31:340:31:37

'Leslie turned to the sheriffs for help.'

0:31:370:31:40

Listen, I'm a director of the company. I'm now asking you to leave the premises.

0:31:400:31:44

-Phone the police.

-I will do!

-OK.

-OK.

-That's fine.

0:31:440:31:48

Explain to them when you do phone them that we've seized goods. OK?

0:31:480:31:52

I've got a writ to attend here and that's why I'm on the premises.

0:31:520:31:55

'Pete found Mr Wrigley a somewhat tricky customer.'

0:31:550:31:59

So we're not here, really, to even enter a discussion about how much. It's full payment or remove.

0:31:590:32:03

'Pete's tough negotiating meant their second stand-off ended

0:32:050:32:09

'with Mr Wrigley paying half the money owed to Leslie Stonier in one lump sum.

0:32:090:32:14

'Since then, further payments have been made,

0:32:150:32:18

'but these haven't continued as agreed.

0:32:180:32:21

'With the debt also rising through interest and fees,

0:32:220:32:25

'Pete is now going back for act three,

0:32:250:32:28

'to get this debt settled once and for all.'

0:32:280:32:31

He won't be given a final option now to catch up with a payment plan.

0:32:320:32:38

He's failed that and that's been his last option now.

0:32:380:32:41

'Unlike most of their visits, Pete knows the layout of this premises like the back of his hand

0:32:430:32:49

'and can plan accordingly.'

0:32:490:32:51

There's a locked gate which has got barbed wire on the top.

0:32:510:32:53

We may have to get a locksmith to effect entry for us.

0:32:530:32:57

Might have a problem getting in this morning.

0:32:570:33:00

Erm, but we'll see how we go.

0:33:000:33:03

'As they arrive, Pete's prediction is proved right.'

0:33:050:33:09

The gate is shut so we will have to give them a call.

0:33:090:33:13

Hiya, good morning, it's Mr Spencer. I've been before.

0:33:140:33:18

Is there one of the directors that I could speak to?

0:33:180:33:20

Are you the guy I spoke to last time when we did the payment?

0:33:200:33:24

OK, thanks. There we go.

0:33:240:33:27

He's gone to see if he can find the director, so he's obviously on site,

0:33:270:33:31

so we'll just wait and see if he appears or rings me back.

0:33:310:33:37

'As they wait, a man comes out of the office

0:33:370:33:40

'and introduces himself as the company accountant.'

0:33:400:33:43

That's going to have to be paid today or else we are removing goods.

0:33:430:33:46

'He tells Pete Southern UK Road Services only has £30 in its account,

0:33:460:33:51

'somewhat less than the outstanding debt that they're there to collect.'

0:33:510:33:56

I need to come in and see him, anyway. So if we can come in and see him...

0:33:560:34:00

'Pete is less than convinced.'

0:34:000:34:03

A big company like this has no way got £30 in an account.

0:34:030:34:06

Hopefully.

0:34:060:34:08

'As they park up, the accountant disappears back into the office.'

0:34:090:34:13

I guarantee his door will be locked.

0:34:170:34:20

Came out of the front door, locked it behind him and he's locked it again now,

0:34:210:34:25

so I'm going to have to tell them that they need to let us in

0:34:250:34:28

otherwise we'll be getting locksmith.

0:34:280:34:30

'The door opens to reveal a familiar face,

0:34:300:34:33

'company director Mr Wrigley,

0:34:330:34:35

'who has good reason to remember Pete and our camera.'

0:34:350:34:39

-Not on camera again.

-That's your choice,

0:34:390:34:42

but I'm coming in anyway today whether you let me in or not.

0:34:420:34:44

Not on camera, OK? Cos I've...

0:34:440:34:47

'We're told to wait outside while Pete gets on with the familiar task

0:34:470:34:53

'of putting the squeeze on Mr Wrigley.'

0:34:530:34:56

Obviously, you've failed your monthly agreement, by the sounds of it.

0:34:570:35:01

'Inside, Mr Wrigley is adamant he can't pay any money

0:35:010:35:05

'and says Pete will just have to wait.

0:35:050:35:07

'He also says the majority of the equipment in the yard

0:35:070:35:10

'is leased through a third party and so can't be seized.

0:35:100:35:13

'This isn't good enough for Pete.

0:35:130:35:16

'He tells his favourite customer it's payment in full or removal of goods.'

0:35:160:35:21

You tell me what you paid for them and I'll work out a rough idea.

0:35:210:35:24

'The only question is, will there be enough seizable assets in the yard

0:35:240:35:29

'that do belong to the company to cover the debt?

0:35:290:35:33

'Removing goods itself is expensive but Pete certainly won't be paying for this himself.

0:35:330:35:38

'Instead, these fees will be added to the debt they're there to collect.'

0:35:380:35:43

It's going to be probably three, four, five, six,

0:35:430:35:47

seven, eight.

0:35:470:35:49

Eight traffic lights generators

0:35:490:35:52

and probably some road cones.

0:35:520:35:54

The one in there's going. The one they've put on charge that he said is going out, it's not going anywhere.

0:35:540:36:00

'With Mr Wrigley forced to accept his goods are being removed

0:36:000:36:03

'and realising this time no excuses are going to prevent it,

0:36:030:36:07

'he decides he's seen enough of Pete.

0:36:070:36:10

'For today's visit, anyway.

0:36:100:36:13

'With Pete satisfied there's more than enough assets inside,

0:36:130:36:17

'it's time to call the tow truck.'

0:36:170:36:19

It's well after three o'clock. We've probably been here

0:36:190:36:22

about three hours now, three and a half hours.

0:36:220:36:24

The director's disappeared.

0:36:240:36:27

He says just take whatever we need to take.

0:36:270:36:30

He's planning on paying in full tomorrow. He's got five days.

0:36:300:36:33

So what we've done is we've seized a forklift truck,

0:36:330:36:37

some battery-operated traffic lights,

0:36:370:36:39

a trailer and a couple of LED screens.

0:36:390:36:44

'If necessary, these can now be sold

0:36:440:36:47

'to clear what's still left of Southern UK Road Services' debt to Leslie Stonier.'

0:36:470:36:53

Hopefully, he's going to pay in full and that'll be all sorted.

0:36:540:36:57

'For Pete, with a truck full of assets, it's a case of third time lucky.'

0:36:580:37:03

With a cost today of removing, additional auction inventory fee, as well,

0:37:030:37:08

the total he needs to pay is £2,794.79.

0:37:080:37:14

He did say before he left he would be paying tomorrow

0:37:140:37:17

and he would be getting the goods back tomorrow once he's paid in full,

0:37:170:37:20

so we'll just have to wait and see if he pays in full

0:37:200:37:23

or the items, in five days, go into the auction to recover the outstanding amount.

0:37:230:37:27

That's a job well done today.

0:37:290:37:31

'On their way to another date with a debtor are sheriffs Lawrence and Kev.

0:37:390:37:44

'Today, they're heading into Kent.'

0:37:450:37:48

We've got a writ to enforce against a Mr Lee Hudson.

0:37:480:37:52

We're looking to collect just under £3,500.

0:37:520:37:56

The claimant is a Ms Nicola Morgan.

0:37:570:38:01

'Nicola Morgan paid Lee Hudson

0:38:010:38:03

'to carry out work on her kitchen and bathroom.

0:38:030:38:06

'She was less than happy at the results, though,

0:38:060:38:08

'and the matter eventually ended up in court.

0:38:080:38:11

'Mr Hudson didn't attend the hearing

0:38:120:38:14

'and the judge awarded in Nicola's favour.

0:38:140:38:17

'She's had some of the money back but is still several thousand pounds short.

0:38:170:38:21

'Which is what Lawrence and Kev are at Lee Hudson's house to collect.

0:38:250:38:30

'They park up outside and head in to see if they can find him.'

0:38:300:38:35

-Show me ID, mate.

-Enforcement officers, not actually bailiffs. We've got a High Court writ.

0:38:350:38:40

We're looking for £3,444.06.

0:38:400:38:44

-We're ordered here to seize goods to that value today if you can't pay in full.

-Oh.

0:38:440:38:49

-You're not aware of...

-No. I know Nicola Morgan

0:38:500:38:53

but I didn't know there was any court thing against it or anything.

0:38:530:38:56

-But you know you owe her money.

-Yeah, but we run a bathroom company.

0:38:560:39:00

-We're going through the motions.

-Yeah.

0:39:000:39:03

Can this be resolved in any other way?

0:39:030:39:06

No, it needs to be paid in full, mate. We can give you a little bit of time now.

0:39:060:39:11

-We're not talking days or anything like that.

-How much was it?

0:39:110:39:15

-Just under three and a half.

-No prior warning to this?

0:39:150:39:18

-No, we don't.

-Obviously, if you don't know anything about this, you owed the money...

0:39:180:39:22

'Mr Hudson might not be sure about how much he knows about the case,

0:39:220:39:26

'but he is sure that there are no assets in his house that the sheriffs can seize.'

0:39:260:39:31

-There's nothing in my name here. It's all in

-BLEEP

-name.

0:39:310:39:34

-Who's that, your other half?

-My other half, yeah.

0:39:340:39:36

-Erm...

-I ain't got nothing.

0:39:360:39:39

-Basically, what it is, there's a CCJ against you.

-Yeah.

-OK?

0:39:390:39:43

'At this point, we're asked to leave the premises.

0:39:430:39:47

'Lawrence and Kev, however, continue their discussions with Mr Hudson inside.

0:39:470:39:51

'Time for a lesson in how the High Court system works.'

0:39:510:39:55

If the judge orders that you pay in 14 or 28 days,

0:39:560:39:59

if you haven't paid by that time,

0:39:590:40:01

technically you're in contempt of court.

0:40:010:40:03

Is Bigg'in Bathrooms a limited company?

0:40:030:40:07

If it was a limited company and she'd done you as a director and it should've been against the company,

0:40:080:40:13

then you might have some recourse to get it changed, but because it's you as a sole trader...

0:40:130:40:17

'Things aren't looking good for Mr Hudson.

0:40:170:40:20

'The writ's in his name personally,

0:40:200:40:22

'so anything the sheriffs can link to him is potentially seizable.

0:40:220:40:26

'To ram home the point, Lawrence gets listing assets.'

0:40:260:40:30

We'll do an inventory of stuff here.

0:40:300:40:33

This is just saving time because we basically charge £181.50 an hour waiting time, plus VAT.

0:40:330:40:40

You get your first hour, but if the money didn't come through

0:40:400:40:43

and then it took us another hour to inventory after that, it'd cost you even more money.

0:40:430:40:47

'Faced with the sheriffs listing his assets,

0:40:480:40:51

'Mr Hudson realises he's got no choice but to find a way to pay up.

0:40:510:40:56

'Lawrence checks in with the office to see if payment has been made.'

0:40:570:41:00

The bank apparently have faxed us over

0:41:000:41:03

the confirmation of payment.

0:41:030:41:05

Would you be able to go and check the fax for me? Cheers.

0:41:050:41:08

Lovely. All right. Thanks very much.

0:41:090:41:11

'The payment has gone through.

0:41:120:41:15

'Lawrence is thoroughly pleased with his morning's work.'

0:41:150:41:18

We've collected in full, so we walked in,

0:41:180:41:21

they were aware of the debt,

0:41:210:41:23

had to contact a relative who transferred the money into the account.

0:41:230:41:27

So it's another paid in full.

0:41:270:41:30

'The money in full means Nicola finally getting what she was owed all along.

0:41:300:41:35

'Lee Hudson told us that the majority of refurbishment work he carried out for Nicola Morgan

0:41:370:41:42

'was completed to her satisfaction.

0:41:420:41:44

'He said the only dispute was over the kitchen work,

0:41:440:41:48

'the delays to which were caused by factors outside his control.

0:41:480:41:52

'He said he offered to finish the work, but was asked not to by Nicola.

0:41:520:41:56

'He said he tried to contest the case

0:41:560:41:58

'but was unable to attend court due to illness.

0:41:580:42:01

'And he said he is currently in the process

0:42:010:42:03

'of bringing his own legal action regarding the matter.

0:42:030:42:06

'Since Lawrence and Kev's visit to Andrew Parkinson in Suffolk,

0:42:080:42:12

'Fred and Adrian have paid out once again

0:42:120:42:15

'to have their house and workspace built,

0:42:150:42:17

'and now have the extension they always wanted.

0:42:170:42:21

'And despite saying they would pay off their debts the next day

0:42:230:42:27

'to get back their removed assets,

0:42:270:42:29

'Southern UK Road Services didn't.

0:42:290:42:32

'As the assets are too big to move easily,

0:42:320:42:34

'they're currently being sold by an auction house online

0:42:340:42:37

'to raise funds to pay off the debt

0:42:370:42:39

'so Lesley Stonier can finally get the money she's owed.'

0:42:390:42:43

Download Subtitles

SRT

ASS