0:00:00 > 0:00:01Meet the sheriffs...
0:00:01 > 0:00:03Let's go and introduce ourselves.
0:00:03 > 0:00:07We're High Court enforcement officers. We're here to execute a writ.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11..they're the men whose job it is to get you your money back...
0:00:11 > 0:00:15- It's an offence to stop me. - ..if you've been ripped off and don't know where to turn...
0:00:15 > 0:00:17I'm not waiting any more.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20I'm ordered to seize goods to clear this debt, clear this place out.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24..if you've been to court but still not been paid what you're owed.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Just tell me who you are.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29This is an absolute crock. You need to pay this.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32The High Court Enforcement Officers are charged by law
0:00:32 > 0:00:35to recover what a court says is rightfully yours.
0:00:35 > 0:00:36I've seized your car, sir.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39You can let us in the door or we'll go through the window.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42It's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:42 > 0:00:43I've collected 42 grand.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Coming up...
0:00:48 > 0:00:51the clamping firm that took these men and their car for a ride.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53It felt like we were being robbed.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Can the sheriffs get the clampers to pay up what they owe?
0:00:58 > 0:00:59Whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04The dispute with a cafe owner which turned a village on its head.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Suddenly she decided if she didn't have a contract with me,
0:01:08 > 0:01:10she could get away with not paying me.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13It's a storm in a teacup for the sheriffs...
0:01:13 > 0:01:14This is an absolute crock.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18..and the sheriffs go in search of some Top Gear.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22If you follow us in. We're seizing a Lamborghini.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32On the road this morning, sheriffs Marc Newton
0:01:32 > 0:01:36and Tony Smith are on their way to a North London car pound.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39They've been tasked with trying to get money owed to
0:01:39 > 0:01:44a member of the public by a clamping firm, Newline Parking Management.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49And advanced word on what they'll find when they get there
0:01:49 > 0:01:50is not encouraging.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54Client advised us there are dogs at the pound.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58They're going to be up for having an argument, I would imagine.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01We'll just have to see how it goes, really.
0:02:01 > 0:02:06The man they're on their way to help is IT consultant Dominic Marks.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09He's from Bristol, but today he and friend Tim
0:02:09 > 0:02:12are looking for a car parking space in London.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17Constant residents' parking or ticket meters.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21He's being extra careful to make sure he parks in the right place.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Permit holders only.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Because a few months ago, when he parked in the wrong one,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30it led to a run-in with a clamping company so serious,
0:02:30 > 0:02:34it's seen him go through the courts and brought him to the sheriffs
0:02:34 > 0:02:37to recover the £1,500 he's rightfully owed.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Dominic's problems started when he came to North London
0:02:47 > 0:02:51with friend Tim one Saturday to go to a party.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53Looking for somewhere to park,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56they found Shelford Place in Stoke Newington.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58This is where we parked the car.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Their parking space is now covered by a building site,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05but at the time, it was clear of yellow lines.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08The warning signs on the walls were also absent then.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12It seemed like a great place to park.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16It was an empty little road and was clear,
0:03:16 > 0:03:20so we found a place, parked the car.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22After a fun night at the party,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Dominic and Tim stayed over at a friend's.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27They came back the next day to retrieve the car.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Only problem was, it had disappeared.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35It took a while to actually register that it was gone.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39I kind of got there and I thought, "Have I just gone mad?"
0:03:39 > 0:03:44And, "Did I actually park on a road that looks very similar to this?"
0:03:44 > 0:03:46Initially we thought it had been stolen,
0:03:46 > 0:03:51and then having found one sign in the dark, miles up a wall,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54that gave us a clue that the car had been towed.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00Dominic's car had been clamped and towed by Newline Parking Management
0:04:00 > 0:04:05for parking on private land - and unfairly so, in his opinion.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09These signs when we got here were either ripped off
0:04:09 > 0:04:11or they'd been whitewashed.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14There were no signs that were obviously visible.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19What we found was the one sign that was hopelessly inadequate.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21It was in the dark.
0:04:21 > 0:04:22There was no light near it.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25It was about three metres or so up the wall.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31And it was hidden behind a hoarding for a construction site.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35Dominic called Newline on the phone number on their sign.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37A man answering told him they were shut on a Sunday,
0:04:37 > 0:04:41and that the earliest he could collect his car was Monday.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45He also learned that he'd be charged an overnight fee in addition
0:04:45 > 0:04:47to the clamping and towing costs.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50A total of £467.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53We had jobs to go to.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56We had to find somewhere to stay late at night on a Sunday,
0:04:56 > 0:04:57which was a real pain.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00And then we had to get up and travel halfway across London
0:05:00 > 0:05:03in order to actually get the car back.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07When they finally visited Newline's car pound, Dominic
0:05:07 > 0:05:12and Tim raised complaints about how they'd been clamped and towed.
0:05:12 > 0:05:13I asked to see any documentation
0:05:13 > 0:05:17which said they had the right to tow cars from Shelford Place,
0:05:17 > 0:05:20and he said to me that it's client confidentiality,
0:05:20 > 0:05:22which is a strange thing.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25I don't know if that's legal, but it doesn't seem right
0:05:25 > 0:05:29that someone could anonymously give permission to take out an action,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32that you wouldn't be able to see any proof of that.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Effectively, he could tow cars from anywhere and use that excuse,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39and just say, "I have permission but I'm not able
0:05:39 > 0:05:42to show it to you because it's my client's confidentiality."
0:05:42 > 0:05:47Dominic and Tim paid the money unwillingly and under protest.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50When we handed over the money, it felt like being robbed,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53and we had no recourse against them at all.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56It felt incredibly unjust, like they were bullying us
0:05:56 > 0:05:59and we couldn't do anything to combat the situation.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01Worst Monday ever, for sure.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05Disgusted at how he'd been treated,
0:06:05 > 0:06:09Dominic brought a county court claim against the clampers.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Newline contested the case in writing
0:06:11 > 0:06:14but failed to show up in court.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18Nevertheless, Dominic and Tim had to go in front of a judge.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20The first thing we asked them to establish was
0:06:20 > 0:06:24is this a private road, and can you present some sort of proof
0:06:24 > 0:06:29that the person who does own the road has given you permission?
0:06:29 > 0:06:32And they never submitted any documentation to the court
0:06:32 > 0:06:35which actually showed that was the case.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37The judge ruled in Dominic's favour.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41With damages and court fees on top of what he'd paid Newline,
0:06:41 > 0:06:45he was awarded £1,515.80.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49But despite this, Newline still haven't paid up.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Dominic's last hope of seeing his money lies with the sheriffs.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02Arriving at Newline's North London compound,
0:07:02 > 0:07:06the only thing Marc and Tony find is a large yellow gate.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Tony volunteers to make first contact.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- Anyone there?- Yeah.
0:07:12 > 0:07:13- What, people?- Yeah. Hello?
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Marc decides to move the van so it's not clamped.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27Tony's knock, meanwhile, draws out an employee.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29A High Court writ has been issued
0:07:29 > 0:07:33against Newline Parking Management and the vehicle pound.
0:07:34 > 0:07:35From whom? Who's issued it?
0:07:35 > 0:07:37We're High Court sheriffs.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39What's he say, Tone?
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Coming back. He's putting the dog away.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48While the dog's removed, a woman from Newline
0:07:48 > 0:07:50comes to the gate to find out who the sheriffs are.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53We're High Court enforcement officers.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Here's the writ from the court.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57The woman asks what the sheriffs want.
0:07:57 > 0:08:02When they tell her that with court fees, sheriffs' fees and interest,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05they're now looking to collect £2,400,
0:08:05 > 0:08:07she tells them they're crazy.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10At this stage, the writ is live and it would need to be paid.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14You need to deal with this today, while we're here.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15No, we stay here until it's done.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20While they wait, they size up the premises.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25Sheriffs can legally climb perimeter walls or fences
0:08:25 > 0:08:26to get into a property.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28And at a commercial premises like this,
0:08:28 > 0:08:32they can even force entry if need be.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35But neither Marc nor Tony fancy climbing the yellow fence.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37That's that razor stuff, isn't it?
0:08:37 > 0:08:38Cut you to pieces.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45After a quarter of an hour of waiting,
0:08:45 > 0:08:49the woman comes back to tell the sheriffs some unexpected news.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51The clampers are willing to pay.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57It's a massive breakthrough for Marc and Tony, but there's a problem.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00The woman wants to write them a cheque.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03We don't take cheques, babe.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Debit card, credit card. Bank transfer you can do.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09She tells them that, as they won't take a cheque,
0:09:09 > 0:09:13they'll have to wait for her brother to come back for payment.
0:09:13 > 0:09:14All right, no worries.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17They boys are told the brother will be back in one hour.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19They sit in the van and wait.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21It's a bit of a difficult one,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24because our only way we can get in there
0:09:24 > 0:09:28is going over the fence, but it's quite a tricky fence to climb over
0:09:28 > 0:09:30with all the razor wire on the top.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34Also the other side of the gate is a big Rottweiler.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36At the moment we're sitting tight.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39It's better to try and do it the nicer way.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44We don't want to turn up here and start climbing over a fence if they're happy to open it.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47And they haven't not opened the gate to us, they have every time.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53Someone's just pulled up now, so hopefully this is the guy.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03Two clampers emerge wanting a word with the sheriffs.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Whoa, whoa.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08Doesn't matter who you are. Don't care who you are, don't record me.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12The clampers decide to continue discussions inside their premises,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15and unsurprisingly, we're not allowed to follow them.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Soon after, Marc is back.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21We just had two guys pull up who've gone in,
0:10:21 > 0:10:24who I think are the lady we spoke to's brothers.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28And they've just asked us in, but when we've both gone to walk in,
0:10:28 > 0:10:32they've created a bit of a fuss. So Tony's gone in on his own to deal with it.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36He's big enough to look after himself in there if there's any trouble, so we'll see.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40Hopefully when he comes out in five minutes he'll have the payment
0:10:40 > 0:10:44and it'll all be done and dealt with and we can get on our way.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48After half an hour of high-level negotiations, Tony emerges.
0:10:49 > 0:10:54He's got a smile on his face, but he's left something else behind.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58(BLEEP) I left the card machine in there, what a (BLEEP)! Hello?
0:10:59 > 0:11:04Hello. I left me machine in there. Yeah, me card machine.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10See you later, boys, have a good day. Take care, yeah?
0:11:12 > 0:11:14It might have taken them nearly two hours,
0:11:14 > 0:11:16but Tony just collected payment in full.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21They know the score, we know the score.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25Just a little game, innit? And then they paid, so.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Nothing major. No aggro.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32One of them was a bit chirpy, but other than that, rest of 'em are all right.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34All paid up, all done, no dramas.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38It's a hell of a result for the sheriffs.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42Payment in full from a potentially tricky job.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45More importantly, it means Dominic Marks
0:11:45 > 0:11:48finally getting the cheque in the post he'd hoped for.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50It came to a lot of money. It was about £1,600,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53which is... Well, it's a lot of money for me.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56I'm sure it's a lot of money for most people.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01And that had a big positive effect on my finances.
0:12:01 > 0:12:02That was a very good day.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06Put the cheque in the bank and drink a toast to the sheriffs
0:12:06 > 0:12:09and blow a raspberry at Newline, I guess.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19Sheriffs never give up on a job unless they absolutely have to.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24And so it is that today, sheriff Pete Spencer is in Blackburn,
0:12:24 > 0:12:27about to breathe new life into a cold case.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32Pete's been chasing a debt on behalf of a claimant
0:12:32 > 0:12:34for the last six months.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Total outstanding for this one is £40,657.91.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46I've visited two private addresses previously with no joy.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53One was an old previous address where he'd left,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56and the other one, we didn't have any reply back.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Pete knows the debtor has a valuable asset -
0:12:59 > 0:13:03nothing less than a Lamborghini Diablo convertible sports car,
0:13:03 > 0:13:05but every time he's tried to seize it,
0:13:05 > 0:13:09it's been moved before he's had chance.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Until now, that is.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15Pete's had intelligence as to the current whereabouts of the car.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19If it is there, we will be seizing the vehicle and removing today.
0:13:19 > 0:13:26We've got a value on it at around £58-60,000 second-hand,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28so, you know, it's going to cover the outstanding.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36The garage he believes the Lamborghini to be at
0:13:36 > 0:13:38is not connected to the writ,
0:13:38 > 0:13:42but, even so, Pete's concerned about how much commotion
0:13:42 > 0:13:45his attempt to seize such a valuable car is going to cause.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49Potentially there might be trouble.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53I mean, we've got trouble where someone's arguing about a £300 car,
0:13:53 > 0:13:57never mind a £70,000 car.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59So potentially there could be issues here
0:13:59 > 0:14:01which is why, if the vehicle is there,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04I'll ring the police to get their attendance.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11With that in mind, Pete heads into the garage.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Will the Lamborghini supercar be there?
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Not wanting to draw attention to Pete,
0:14:17 > 0:14:19we keep the camera out of sight.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Yes, we've got the car. Drive back out again.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Hi, Lawrence. This Lamborghini's here.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32We've been in, drove round, pulled back out again,
0:14:32 > 0:14:36but obviously it's there. So we need to be taking it, don't we?
0:14:36 > 0:14:39Pete gets the green light from the office to seize the car.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42But it's not as simple as walking in and taking it.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Time to call in some help.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Good afternoon. I'm an enforcement officer for the High Court.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52We've got a vehicle that we have seized previously,
0:14:52 > 0:14:55and we've found it again after looking for six months.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Can I request police attendance?
0:14:57 > 0:14:59There will be a breach of the peace.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03Yes. It's a Lamborghini Diablo.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05We're seizing it on behalf of the High Court.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Could you put it down as urgent, please?
0:15:08 > 0:15:11The longer I sit here, the chances are it could move,
0:15:11 > 0:15:14and I can't physically stop it from driving off,
0:15:14 > 0:15:16as we've seen it drive off before.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19While he waits for the police,
0:15:19 > 0:15:23Pete ensures he's got everything he needs in place.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Hiya, Dave, are you all right?
0:15:25 > 0:15:28I might have a removal for you to do in Blackburn
0:15:28 > 0:15:29if you can do it for us.
0:15:31 > 0:15:32Lamborghini.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36(LAUGHS) Lamborghini.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38It's convertible.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40No, potentially we won't have the keys.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44But nearly an hour since he called them,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Pete's still waiting for the police.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48If the car were to be driven off now,
0:15:48 > 0:15:51there'd be nothing he could do to stop it.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Later, we'll see if Pete can get his hands on that Lamborghini.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04Pete's Lamborghini is just one of over 70,000 High Court writs
0:16:04 > 0:16:08executed by sheriffs in England and Wales every year.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12We cannot leave until that money hits our bank account.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17Anyone that manages to obtain a County Court Judgment of over £600
0:16:17 > 0:16:20can upgrade it to the High Court to get a writ.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22Only sheriffs can execute High Court writs,
0:16:22 > 0:16:26and it gives them more powers than County Court bailiffs.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28I'm Mr Grix. I'm an enforcement officer.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30I'm here to execute a High Court writ.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33These days, a High Court writ costs £60.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35If the sheriffs are successful,
0:16:35 > 0:16:37there's nothing more for the client to pay.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41If they're unsuccessful, the only cost is a £60 admin fee.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50The latest sheriffs hoping to successfully enforce a writ
0:16:50 > 0:16:55are Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally, on the M4, heading for Somerset.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59It's a long old trip for Lawrence,
0:16:59 > 0:17:03and his mood and powers of pronunciation are not at their best.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06We're on our way to a place called...
0:17:06 > 0:17:10Nunney, I believe you pronounce it. Or is it Nooney? In Somerset.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15We've got a defendant called Cafe de la Mere, Nunney Ltd.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Nunney may look like the quintessential English village,
0:17:23 > 0:17:29but for local resident Francis Hayden it's turned into a nightmare,
0:17:29 > 0:17:33since he's fallen into dispute with the owner of the cafe in question.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45The Haydens' problems began after wife Keren's catering experience
0:17:45 > 0:17:50was brought to the attention of the new owner of the village cafe, Eleanor Harris.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Looking for a new manager for it,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Francis and his wife were invited to discuss running it.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59They both had big ambitions.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02We wanted the cafe to be fantastic.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05We wanted to pull people in from all over the region,
0:18:05 > 0:18:09wanted it to be famous for its atmosphere and the food.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Supply teacher and keen musician Francis
0:18:14 > 0:18:18planned to run the cafe with Keren until the start of the new school year,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21when he'd return to teaching.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24They made it clear to Mrs Harris that they would only
0:18:24 > 0:18:29take on the cafe if they could run it together, at least to start with.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31She didn't exactly say yes.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34She didn't say no, because Keren made it clear
0:18:34 > 0:18:37that unless she accepted that proposal, she wouldn't do it.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41So what she said was something like, "OK, let's get on with it."
0:18:42 > 0:18:45With the cafe owner seeming to agree to their plan,
0:18:45 > 0:18:48Francis and Keren threw themselves into
0:18:48 > 0:18:50getting Cafe de la Mere ready for business.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54We had about four days to get it up and running,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57which involved decorating it, checking out the equipment,
0:18:57 > 0:19:01buying new equipment, buying stock, devising recipes, cooking...
0:19:03 > 0:19:08The cafe seemed to be doing well, but two weeks after opening,
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Mrs Harris called a meeting with the Haydens.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13She saw things very differently.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15Her opening line was
0:19:15 > 0:19:18"The food is good, but it's the only thing that is."
0:19:18 > 0:19:20And then she started reading
0:19:20 > 0:19:22this prepared, printed-out list of complaints.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28And we looked at each other and we could not work out what was going on.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32It was like we'd slipped into another dimension somehow.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36Even worse, she told Francis she couldn't afford for both of them
0:19:36 > 0:19:39to run the cafe, and that he'd have to leave.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Unhappy at this, Keren then resigned, too.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47The Haydens submitted final invoices and waited for payment.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50But a few days later, Mrs Harris informed them
0:19:50 > 0:19:53that in her opinion she had never employed Francis,
0:19:53 > 0:19:57and wasn't prepared to pay him for the work he'd done.
0:19:57 > 0:20:02At that point, suddenly she decided if she didn't have a contract with me,
0:20:02 > 0:20:04she could get away with not paying me.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08We'd been relying on this for an income stream through the summer.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12I wasn't going to get any supply work through the summer, that's for sure.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16And so we were kind of stranded, and she knew that.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18With Mrs Harris still refusing to pay,
0:20:18 > 0:20:21the Haydens decided they had no alternative
0:20:21 > 0:20:23but to go to an employment tribunal.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26The judge wanted to know whether there had been
0:20:26 > 0:20:29an implied contract between the two parties.
0:20:29 > 0:20:35Mrs Harris said there hadn't been. Francis strongly disagreed.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38Clearly she came into the cafe. I was working there.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40I served her. I was wearing an apron.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45I was cashing up in the evenings. She provided me with a polo shirt as uniform.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49I was an employee, and at that point we still didn't doubt that.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51She had said, "I'm going to let you go."
0:20:51 > 0:20:54You don't let someone go if they're not employed.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00Francis was awarded £931 in unpaid wages.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Despite the Haydens' court victory,
0:21:02 > 0:21:05Mrs Harris has still refused to pay up.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08Francis's only hope of seeing the money he's owed
0:21:08 > 0:21:10now rests with the sheriffs.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17And aiming to get Francis back the money he's owed,
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Lawrence and Kev finally arrive in Nunney.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Locating Cafe de la Mere, they head in.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28We're here today to execute a High Court writ
0:21:28 > 0:21:30against Cafe de la Mere Nunney Ltd.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34Is that the correct pronunciation, Nunney? Or is it Nooney?
0:21:34 > 0:21:35Nunney.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38We're here today to execute a High Court writ,
0:21:38 > 0:21:40so you need to get the owner down here
0:21:40 > 0:21:42or get her on the phone or whatever, please.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45With two hungry sheriffs on the loose in her cafe,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48the owner, Mrs Harris, wastes no time
0:21:48 > 0:21:51in getting on the phone to Lawrence.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55Hello there. I'm Mr Grix. I'm an enforcement officer.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59I'm here today to execute a High Court writ on behalf of a Mr Hayden.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01We're here today to seize goods.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05The only way to prevent that is to pay in full.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07While Lawrence talks to the owner,
0:22:07 > 0:22:10Kev gets on with listing any assets he can see.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12If the debt isn't settled,
0:22:12 > 0:22:16they can seize these and auction them off to pay what's owed.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19The contents of this place could be emptied in about an hour,
0:22:19 > 0:22:22so the goods are in jeopardy, so this needs sorting today.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25So if you want to get dressed and come down?
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Whether Francis Hayden gets his money now
0:22:28 > 0:22:30depends on Lawrence's powers of persuasion.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Can he convince the owner face-to-face
0:22:33 > 0:22:37that if she doesn't pay, all that equipment will be leaving with him?
0:22:37 > 0:22:39We'll find out later.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51On the road again and heading for a rendezvous with a difference
0:22:51 > 0:22:53are sheriffs Marc and Tony.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58They're in Sussex to visit one Kurt Lander.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01He's failed to pay back a loan from a former acquaintance,
0:23:01 > 0:23:02and now owes over £12,000.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Mr Lander is a fisherman who owns his own boat,
0:23:08 > 0:23:11and today Marc's got his eye on it.
0:23:13 > 0:23:18The claimant's given us some details of a boat that the gentleman owns.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20So we're off to Newhaven marina.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23We'll go and seize the boat and then go from there,
0:23:23 > 0:23:25see if we can get hold of him, anyway.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Arriving at the marina,
0:23:34 > 0:23:38Marc and Tony go looking for the company that runs the site.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40to get permission to come aboard.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Morning. Are you all right?
0:23:45 > 0:23:47I think you went to the wrong place.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50We just thought we'd have a little stroll.
0:23:50 > 0:23:56The marina managers want to know more about the sheriffs' intentions towards Mr Lander's boat.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58We've got two High Court writs.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00All we're going to do is basically seize it.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Just put some paperwork on it.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06I know what you do. You put a writ to the mast.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10How much...? It's not my business how much is owed.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13You want access to the wharf to be able to...
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Just put some paperwork on it, yeah.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18The marina management are only too keen to help
0:24:18 > 0:24:20two officers of the High Court.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Do you want me to walk you down the wharf?
0:24:23 > 0:24:25- Yeah, that'd be fine. - Yeah, if you want to.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31With the management on side,
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Marc can't wait to get his hands on the boat.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38Landlubber Tony, on the other hand, would much prefer to be on dry land.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46(BLEEP) hell. Seasick. Don't feel too great today,
0:24:46 > 0:24:48that bobbing up and down.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54Oh. It's making my guts go.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58Despite this, Tony's keen to show his nautical side.
0:24:58 > 0:24:59Do you want me to pipe you aboard?
0:25:01 > 0:25:02- Were you in the Navy?- No.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Marc, meanwhile, is focusing on the job in hand,
0:25:09 > 0:25:13taking possession of the boat by posting a notice of seizure.
0:25:13 > 0:25:18It's gives him a useful tool to lever the owner into paying up.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21But if he's to manage that, he's got to find the owner first.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25Time to let him know his boat is now the property of the High Court.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30This is a message for Kurt Lander.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34It's regarding some money that's owed.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38Basically where we are at the moment is we've seized your boat.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41We will remove it if we can't get this payment today.
0:25:41 > 0:25:46So if you could call me back as soon as possible, that'd be appreciated. Thank you.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49Although he's seized the boat on paper,
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Marc's aware that as it's not been immobilised,
0:25:52 > 0:25:55it would still be possible for it to be sailed away.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00He might be the kind who just ignores it and drives off with the boat.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04What we could do is try and immobilise the boat.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06- That's a route we can take. - How would you do that?
0:26:06 > 0:26:10We can change the locks, get a locksmith out to change the locks.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12Change the ignition lock, probably.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15And then maybe immobilise the engine somehow.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19But the problem with that is costs.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24It all adds extra costs to the bill,
0:26:24 > 0:26:27and we don't want to ramp it up too high.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30I'm not a great valuer of fishing boats,
0:26:30 > 0:26:35but I wouldn't say this is worth a huge amount more than what is owed.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Marc and Tony are just weighing up their options
0:26:38 > 0:26:41when the debtor calls back.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Yeah, we've got two writs that have been issued against you,
0:26:45 > 0:26:47and that's what we need to collect.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51Well, I need to get something today on this.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56The debtor says he's on his way down.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01Marc's still keen to make sure the boat stays in the sheriffs' possession until the debt's paid.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03And he's open to all sorts of plans.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08I could do an Uncle Albert and Del Boy, and sail it out to Holland.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12We can follow that ferry to Dieppe.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18But the thought of the open seas is too much for Tony.
0:27:20 > 0:27:25Marc leaves seasick Tony on board while he heads for dry land.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28He wants to find out if there's any way to remove the boat,
0:27:28 > 0:27:31and hopes the marina office might know more than he does.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34Is there anyone round here who could remove that?
0:27:34 > 0:27:37Hello, I was wondering if you could help me out with a price
0:27:37 > 0:27:40of lifting a boat out the water.
0:27:40 > 0:27:41It's a fishing boat.
0:27:41 > 0:27:46I've no idea, unfortunately. Not a clue.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48I'm a High Court sheriff.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51I need to get a price to remove from the water.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55Do you know, I wouldn't have a clue, to be honest.
0:27:55 > 0:27:59Not possible? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03No. Yeah. Yeah.
0:28:03 > 0:28:04After a lot of dead ends,
0:28:04 > 0:28:07finally Marc gets through to someone who can help.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10He rings the office to talk through the options.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14Right, they can't lift it out the water, basically. They just can't do it.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17But this guy can tow it down to his thing
0:28:17 > 0:28:20and he can immobilise it and chain it to the dock
0:28:20 > 0:28:24and do something to the engine to immobilise it. OK?
0:28:24 > 0:28:28But he can't do it today because of the tides.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30The earliest it can be done is Thursday.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35Marc now knows he can remove the boat if necessary,
0:28:35 > 0:28:38but not for at least a day.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41Wanting to ensure the boat is going nowhere,
0:28:41 > 0:28:44on the marina management suggestion, he visits the harbour master,
0:28:44 > 0:28:47to see if he can help keep the boat from leaving.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53The boat's called Yellow Fin. It's that.
0:28:54 > 0:28:55Blimey.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58I mean, if it goes, it goes. I know you can't do anything,
0:28:58 > 0:29:01but if you could just let him know you know it shouldn't leave.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05From a legal point of view, we can only stop him going out on safety grounds
0:29:05 > 0:29:07or if he owes us money.
0:29:07 > 0:29:12- And he doesn't owe you money. - I can put in a strong word and advise him not to.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Thanks very much for your help. Cheers, bye-bye.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20With that lack of reassurance, Marc heads back to the marina.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25And, over two hours after the sheriffs arrived,
0:29:25 > 0:29:29a camera-shy Kurt Lander finally makes an appearance.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33I'm not going to talk to you while he's filming, simple as that.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36Do you not want to talk about it, then, Kurt?
0:29:36 > 0:29:38But the debtor does want to talk about it.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41At least to Marc, and only in the privacy of his van.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46This is a notice of seizure to say that we've seized the boat.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51It basically means that unless you pay, we can remove the boat.
0:29:51 > 0:29:57Mr Lander is co-operative and offers to pay off the debt at £165 a month,
0:29:57 > 0:30:00but as they're owed over £10,000,
0:30:00 > 0:30:03Marc's client rejects that out of hand.
0:30:03 > 0:30:08She wants more than that. At least £500, I think.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12If you can't afford any more, we're not really getting anywhere, are we?
0:30:12 > 0:30:14This is a problem, this.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18Marc's got no choice but to give up on getting any money today.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22However, worried about losing his boat, the debtor does say
0:30:22 > 0:30:27he will find a way to pay the money in full in the next three days.
0:30:27 > 0:30:32Until he does, his boat is seized and legally no longer his.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35Marc might not have got the cash in his hand,
0:30:35 > 0:30:38but for him, it represents definite progress.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42And if the money isn't forthcoming, then the boat is his.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46And a grateful Tony is only too pleased to get back on dry land.
0:30:47 > 0:30:48You all right there?
0:30:51 > 0:30:53- There we go.- What are you like?
0:30:54 > 0:30:56We've had a long-winded morning.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59I think we've been three and a half hours at this job.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01He's phoned since we've left the boat
0:31:01 > 0:31:05and said he'll pay the full amount on Friday, three days away,
0:31:05 > 0:31:06so hopefully he will.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10If he knows the harbour master and everyone knows the boat can't be moved,
0:31:10 > 0:31:15hopefully he'll just pay the full amount on Friday,
0:31:15 > 0:31:18and that'll be job done and everyone happy apart from him,
0:31:18 > 0:31:21because he's been caught and had to pay his money.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26The day after Marc and Tony's visit to the marina,
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Mr Lander did indeed pay the debt in full.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33It means another client getting the money a court says is rightfully theirs.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35What a result for the sheriffs.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40Mr Lander told us he disagreed with the court's judgment,
0:31:40 > 0:31:42and said he hadn't contested it at the time
0:31:42 > 0:31:46because he couldn't afford to travel to Northampton to do so.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48He said he had tried to pay the original debt,
0:31:48 > 0:31:51but poor weather had affected his business,
0:31:51 > 0:31:53causing him financial problems.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05Sheriffs Pete Spencer and Dave Crabtree
0:32:05 > 0:32:07are still sat in their van in Bradford
0:32:07 > 0:32:11keeping tabs on a garage they know contains a Lamborghini Diablo
0:32:11 > 0:32:14they've been trying to seize for six months
0:32:14 > 0:32:16to cover a debt owed to one of their clients.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22Because of the risk of trouble, Pete can't go in without the police.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24But after over an hour of waiting,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27the boys in blue still haven't arrived.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29I've been on to our office in London.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32They've just told me I've got to ring you back because
0:32:32 > 0:32:34you need to attend quicker than this.
0:32:34 > 0:32:39High Court enforcement officer, you've got a duty to assist.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43Pete's insistence seems to have paid off, as moments later,
0:32:43 > 0:32:45the promised back-up arrives.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50Has he come on his own? Has he got dogs?
0:32:50 > 0:32:53Oh, right. We're going to go in. If you follow us in.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56We're seizing a Lamborghini.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04With the police now behind him, it's time for Pete to enter the premises.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07Sheriffs don't need to give prior notice of their visits,
0:33:07 > 0:33:09so they've got no idea Pete's coming,
0:33:09 > 0:33:13which he hopes means the car will still be on site.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16How they'll react to his demands is anyone's guess,
0:33:16 > 0:33:21but if he can hold his nerve, Pete could be on the verge of his most valuable ever seizure.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23Time for some introductions.
0:33:23 > 0:33:28Enforcement officer from the High Court. We've seized that vehicle.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30And that vehicle is none other than
0:33:30 > 0:33:35the £60,000 Italian supercar the Lamborghini Diablo,
0:33:35 > 0:33:38one of fewer than 3,000 ever made,
0:33:38 > 0:33:42and by far the most valuable asset Pete's ever got close to seizing.
0:33:44 > 0:33:48The owner isn't on site, so Pete chases him up on the phone.
0:33:48 > 0:33:49Good afternoon, Mr Patel.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54I'm an enforcement officer with a live High Court writ to attend today
0:33:54 > 0:33:57to remove your Lamborghini.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59It's for an outstanding debt.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03I'm commanded by the High Court judge to attend here today
0:34:03 > 0:34:08to collect £41,000 or remove a vehicle.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13We know it's your vehicle, and that's why we're taking it.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17We can. If I couldn't do that I wouldn't be here.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21OK. All right, no problem.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26OK, thank you, bye-bye. He's on his way.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30It's so far, so good for Pete.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33He's found the car and spoken to the debtor
0:34:33 > 0:34:36who's agreed to come down and speak face-to-face.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39In the meantime, the garage agrees to provide the car keys.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41There's a code as well to start it,
0:34:41 > 0:34:46so we've got the key and the code to start the vehicle, so we don't have to lift it,
0:34:46 > 0:34:50which will make life a lot easier and a lot quicker to do the removal.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53And right on cue, the Lamborghini is delivered
0:34:53 > 0:34:55into Pete's waiting embrace.
0:34:55 > 0:35:00Unless the debtor can produce over £40,000 in the next few minutes,
0:35:00 > 0:35:04every handmade Italian inch of it will be Pete's.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07But before he can take it for a spin, the debtor himself,
0:35:07 > 0:35:12Mr Patel, arrives to find Pete with his beloved motor car.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14- Hiya. Mr Patel?- It is, yeah.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21I've spoken to him, he's quite happy with the scenario.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23Not quite believing someone has the power
0:35:23 > 0:35:26to take his Lamborghini away from him,
0:35:26 > 0:35:29Mr Patel makes one last attempt to save the car,
0:35:29 > 0:35:31saying he's never received
0:35:31 > 0:35:33any paperwork relating to the court case.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36It was a complete shock to me,
0:35:36 > 0:35:40because I've just seen the paperwork from the sheriffs here myself.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42It's dated from 2011, yeah?
0:35:42 > 0:35:45When I actually moved out from my property in 2010.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50I'm completely, completely shocked about it. I never received any letters.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53Pete, however, is less than convinced.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56I've been there personally and left some paperwork.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00And I've also been to that address, as well. Preston County Court.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04Then you will have received something from County Court.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06With the car already in Pete's clutches
0:36:06 > 0:36:10and unable to find £40,000 at such short notice,
0:36:10 > 0:36:12Mr Patel has to accept
0:36:12 > 0:36:15he'll have to wave goodbye to his beloved Lamborghini -
0:36:15 > 0:36:16for today at least.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22He's now got five days to either pay in full for the car to be returned,
0:36:22 > 0:36:24or the car will be sold at auction.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27My solicitor will sort it out tomorrow hopefully.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31Fingers crossed. So we'll just leave it with the solicitors now.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35Pete's job now is to get the Lamborghini
0:36:35 > 0:36:37to a secure storage unit.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41He might not be smiling, but inside, you can be sure,
0:36:41 > 0:36:45he's thrilled to bits at finally catching up with his quarry
0:36:45 > 0:36:49and driving away with one of the world's most sought-after sports cars.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Good job done as far as we're concerned.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54We've come and done what we needed to do today.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58The moral of the story for debtors
0:36:58 > 0:37:01is that when it comes to the value of your potentially seizable assets,
0:37:01 > 0:37:05for the sheriffs at least, size doesn't matter.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09Doesn't matter if it's a Lamborghini or a Mini, really.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13At the end of the day we're commanded by the High Court judge
0:37:13 > 0:37:19to attend a property to collect the full amount or seize assets.
0:37:19 > 0:37:24We've seized the asset today of the defendant on the case.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26So it's job done to us.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29And since sheriff Pete towed the Lamborghini,
0:37:29 > 0:37:33the owner, Mr Patel, has paid up enough of the debt
0:37:33 > 0:37:35to have the car returned to him.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38However, a large chunk of the debt still remains,
0:37:38 > 0:37:41and the sheriffs are looking into further action.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52In Somerset, sheriffs Lawrence and Kev are in Cafe de la Mere,
0:37:52 > 0:37:55waiting for owner Eleanor Harris to arrive.
0:37:55 > 0:38:00They want her to pay back the money she owes former employee Francis Hayden,
0:38:00 > 0:38:02and they're in no mood to take no for an answer.
0:38:05 > 0:38:0925 minutes later, Mrs Harris duly arrives.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13She isn't pleased to see the sheriffs, or our camera.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Lawrence goes outside to talk to her.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19We, meanwhile, are asked to leave.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22In the meantime, she and Lawrence get down to brass tacks inside.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25She claims not only can she not afford the debt,
0:38:25 > 0:38:27but that she doesn't have to pay it
0:38:27 > 0:38:31as the company that owes it, Cafe de la Mere Nunney Ltd,
0:38:31 > 0:38:32has been wound up,
0:38:32 > 0:38:36and she's now running the business as a sole trader.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38But Lawrence isn't buying it.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42He thinks the business named in the writ is still very much alive,
0:38:42 > 0:38:46as the cafe's still displaying the old company name.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49That's the licensing application from Mendip District Council
0:38:49 > 0:38:51with the name of your company on.
0:38:51 > 0:38:56It gives us every reason to believe that the company is still trading.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58And all around, there's other evidence
0:38:58 > 0:39:00to back up Lawrence's theory.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03So you've got Barclaycard Merchant Services
0:39:03 > 0:39:06in the name of Cafe de la Mere Nunney Ltd.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10So if I put my card in that machine now and paid a penny,
0:39:10 > 0:39:13it would be to Cafe de La Mere Nunney Ltd.
0:39:13 > 0:39:14Unless Mrs Harris can prove
0:39:14 > 0:39:17the company isn't still trading at the premises,
0:39:17 > 0:39:22Lawrence will seize its assets if there's no payment.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25Worried by the commotion the sheriffs are causing,
0:39:25 > 0:39:28Mrs Harris finally decides to do something,
0:39:28 > 0:39:32but it's not the action Lawrence is after.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34She insists she has paperwork which will prove
0:39:34 > 0:39:39the cafe's assets are nothing to do with the company named in the writ,
0:39:39 > 0:39:43but she's not managed to produce anything to convince the sheriffs,
0:39:43 > 0:39:46and Lawrence's frustrations are growing.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49So far, absolutely nothing is telling me
0:39:49 > 0:39:54that Cafe de la Mere Nunney Ltd is no longer trading.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56But nothing's stacking up, is it?
0:39:56 > 0:39:57After an hour in the cafe
0:39:57 > 0:40:01and still with no sign of Francis Hayden getting his money,
0:40:01 > 0:40:02Lawrence has had enough.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04He decides to try and hurry things along
0:40:04 > 0:40:07with the threat of a removal truck.
0:40:07 > 0:40:08All right, Soph?
0:40:08 > 0:40:11Can you get Cathy to line me up...?
0:40:11 > 0:40:14What's it going to take? A seven-and-a-half tonner.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18The owner stands her ground,
0:40:18 > 0:40:22asking Lawrence what proof he needs that she's a sole trader.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25But a frustrated Lawrence just thinks she's stalling.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29Lease agreements for the furniture, lease agreement for the premises.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33Public liability insurance, employer's liability insurance.
0:40:33 > 0:40:38They're the four things that I've been asking for repeatedly. This is an absolute crock.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41You say you've been a sole trader since last year.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45If you had been, you would not be taking money in the name of a company.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48I'm going to get the truck down. Get the truck, Soph.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52The owner makes one more attempt to argue her case.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55But there's no arguing with Lawrence.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59You don't have any real evidence of anything. You need to pay this.
0:41:03 > 0:41:08Finally, after two hours, his firm action has the desired effect.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12Mrs Harris agrees to pay up the money the Haydens are owed.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16Would you like to give the money to my colleague, and he'll count it?
0:41:16 > 0:41:20105, 106, 107. There's a monkey there.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23And with that, it's job done for the sheriffs.
0:41:23 > 0:41:24Another paid in full.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30There was a total lack of paperwork backing up anything they were saying
0:41:30 > 0:41:34with regards to who was running the business, who the assets belonged to.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37There was some of the kitchen stuff was rented,
0:41:37 > 0:41:40we saw a tenancy agreement for it, lease agreement,
0:41:40 > 0:41:42but no tenancy agreement for the premises,
0:41:42 > 0:41:45public liability insurance, employer's liability insurance.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48There was nothing to back up anything they were saying,
0:41:48 > 0:41:53so the goods were in jeopardy because you could clear the place out in about an hour.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Everything would be gone.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58So we were pushing for payment or removal, and they paid in full.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03A good morning's work for the sheriffs.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07Lawrence's successful line of attack means that Francis Hayden
0:42:07 > 0:42:10finally gets the letter in the post he'd hoped for.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15"We have made a payment to you of £996.93
0:42:15 > 0:42:17"in full payment of the above matter."
0:42:17 > 0:42:19Very nice feeling. It's just an encouragement
0:42:19 > 0:42:23to anybody who feels an injustice has been done to them
0:42:23 > 0:42:25that actually, you can go to law,
0:42:25 > 0:42:28you don't have to employ expensive solicitors,
0:42:28 > 0:42:31you don't have to spend a lot of money, and you can win. Cheers!
0:43:00 > 0:43:02Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd