0:00:02 > 0:00:03- Meet the sheriffs. - Let's go and introduce ourselves.
0:00:03 > 0:00:07- We're High Court enforcement officers.- We're here to execute a High Court writ.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10They're the men whose job it is to get you your money back.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13It's an arrestable offence to stop me doing my job.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15If you've been ripped off and don't know where to turn...
0:00:15 > 0:00:16I'm not waiting any more.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20I'm ordered to seize goods to clear this debt, which would mean clearing this place out.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24If you've been to court but still not been paid what you're owed...
0:00:24 > 0:00:28- Why don't you just tell me who you are?- This is an absolute crock. You need to pay this.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31The High Court Enforcement Officers are charged by law to
0:00:31 > 0:00:35recover 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 either let us through the door, or we'll go through the window.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41It's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43I've collected 42 grand.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49Coming up - Myrna Torres paid £2,450
0:00:49 > 0:00:53for a healthcare qualification from a London college,
0:00:53 > 0:00:58but got nothing for her money AND was kicked out of the country.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03She was really in tears every day, asking, begging them for help, and they wouldn't help her.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Can the sheriffs get her life back on track?
0:01:08 > 0:01:12You need to pay, otherwise we're going to be removing goods.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15This Yorkshire jeweller mis-sold an engagement ring.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Sheriff Pete goes to show them that diamonds aren't forever.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21Your attitude towards me isn't acceptable.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23I'm going to take the items with me.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27And the careless removals company...
0:01:27 > 0:01:31It just got increasingly difficult to get any communication
0:01:31 > 0:01:33going with them at all.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36The sheriffs go in search of redress.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40We need some kind of proof of ownership or we'll be taking it. It's as simple as that.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49As another day dawns in West Yorkshire,
0:01:49 > 0:01:53in his van and on his way to work is Sheriff Pete Spencer.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Today, he's off to see
0:01:55 > 0:01:59if he can bring a happy ending to a love story - gone wrong.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04This morning we're going to a jeweller's in Brighouse, West Yorkshire.
0:02:06 > 0:02:12Total amount we're looking for is £6,813.87.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15The client Pete's on his way to help
0:02:15 > 0:02:21bought an engagement ring for £4,100 from Fine Design Products Ltd,
0:02:21 > 0:02:24trading as Kingston Diamond Merchants.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26But the ring they came away with was a different weight,
0:02:26 > 0:02:30colour and clarity to the one they were originally sold.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33They went to court and the judge agreed the jeweller
0:02:33 > 0:02:37misrepresented the ring he sold them, and awarded in their favour.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43It's now Pete's job to make love's young dream come true
0:02:43 > 0:02:46and get the unhappy couple their money back.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49And if Kingston Diamond Merchants won't pay up, Pete's happy to
0:02:49 > 0:02:54show them why diamonds are a sheriff's best friend.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59Hopefully he'll have goods in the shop, which we will seize on entry
0:02:59 > 0:03:04and remove if need be, to secure the outstanding debt -
0:03:04 > 0:03:06or collect the payment in full
0:03:06 > 0:03:09which hopefully we will be able to do today.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Sheriffs like early starts,
0:03:13 > 0:03:17but arriving at 9am, Pete might be a bit TOO early.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19The shop's yet to open.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23Pete manages to grab a quick word with the shop staff.
0:03:23 > 0:03:24What time do you open?
0:03:27 > 0:03:29Half past?
0:03:29 > 0:03:31I'll wait half an hour, it's OK.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36What she said through the window is the owner's not here till Friday
0:03:36 > 0:03:40and they're not willing to deal with it, seemingly,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43but I'm sure they'll be on the phone now to the owner
0:03:43 > 0:03:45to let them know somebody's outside.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50He needs to be getting himself down here, really, because we are looking
0:03:50 > 0:03:55for full payment today, or to remove items from within the jeweller's.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Pete takes it on trust that the jewellers will
0:03:57 > 0:03:59open their doors to him.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02But if they don't, it won't keep him out.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06We can force entry if need be with it being commercial premises,
0:04:06 > 0:04:08but it is a last resort to force entry.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Hopefully they'll see sense and open the door.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16And the moment the doors do open, Pete's first through them.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18Good morning.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21While Pete explains his visit to the staff,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24we're asked to stay outside the premises.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27I'm an enforcement officer. I've got a High Court writ.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30It's £6,813.87 today as we speak,
0:04:30 > 0:04:35so I've come to collect the total amount due today, or seize goods.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42Moments later, the shop staff get owner Mr Kingston on the phone.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44He wants to know why he's had no warning
0:04:44 > 0:04:47he was about to be visited by a sheriff.
0:04:47 > 0:04:48It's a High Court writ.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52I definitely don't have to serve any warrant on you prior to my arrival.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54I'll just explain, I've got a live High Court writ,
0:04:54 > 0:04:57which means I can attend here today without prior notice
0:04:57 > 0:05:01to collect the outstanding amount or seize goods.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05Pete warns Mr Kingston that if he doesn't pay up, he can remove goods.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07Mr Kingston continues to argue with him,
0:05:07 > 0:05:11and the more he does so, the more Pete's bill rises.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13I think you're just delaying tactics, to be fair.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Yes, but I'm here now - that's the only problem.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24Well, at the moment, I'm into the next hour so I've got to charge you.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27Mr Kingston says he's waiting for the infamous ring
0:05:27 > 0:05:29to be returned before he'll consider paying up.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32But as the judgment states that the newlyweds don't need to
0:05:32 > 0:05:36return the ring until they get their money back, this won't stop
0:05:36 > 0:05:41Pete enforcing the writ and doing his bit to stop trouble in paradise.
0:05:41 > 0:05:42The case of him returning the ring
0:05:42 > 0:05:45isn't anything to do with me collecting this money.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48It's not relevant whatsoever. That's something...
0:05:51 > 0:05:54That's up to you. At the end of the day,
0:05:54 > 0:05:56best thing is pay it, you've got 14 days
0:05:56 > 0:05:59to put a claim in against it and then you sort it from there.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04If the shop owner won't pay, Pete will have no choice
0:06:04 > 0:06:06but to remove some products from the store.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09He lets Mr Kingston know this, but the shop owner doesn't seem
0:06:09 > 0:06:13bothered by his threat, and it's not long before Pete's had enough.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Because of your attitude, I'm not going to leave items on site now.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20I was going to ring our office and see if they'd allow me
0:06:20 > 0:06:23to seize items on paperwork and leave them on site but I'm not going
0:06:23 > 0:06:26to do that now, due to your attitude. I'm going to take the items with me.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Your attitude towards me isn't acceptable.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33With no payment forthcoming or likely today, Pete decides to
0:06:33 > 0:06:37take decisive action and asks staff to round up some rocks.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40I'm going to take approximately £28,000 worth of goods today.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43I've got to take quadruple the amount on the levy.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Under the orders of an officer of the High Court,
0:06:48 > 0:06:52they have little choice but to say "I do".
0:06:52 > 0:06:55With the stones now in his hands, Pete's in a hurry to get away.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57He might have all the collateral he needs,
0:06:57 > 0:07:01but he's also now got himself a security situation
0:07:01 > 0:07:04in case any potential robbers have been keeping an eye on him.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08So we've moved away from the premises now.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11I'm just making sure nobody's following us or anything like that.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Obviously, once we're in the vehicle, it's a safe vehicle -
0:07:14 > 0:07:16it locks us in the vehicle.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20I'm just going to pull into a safe place, and then we can discuss
0:07:20 > 0:07:25what's happened in there and the way we're moving forward with that case.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29In a secret location, Pete talks us through what the shop have
0:07:29 > 0:07:33told him the diamonds are worth, and what happens next.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Those particular diamonds there have got a retail value,
0:07:36 > 0:07:38from what they're telling me, of £10,000,
0:07:38 > 0:07:41and the trade value on those is £3,000.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45That's a picture of the four diamonds which are one-carat
0:07:45 > 0:07:51stones each, and they're retailing at £15,000, trade value of £5,000.
0:07:51 > 0:07:52In this bag, you see, the diamonds -
0:07:52 > 0:07:56I've asked them, each individual one I've photographed has
0:07:56 > 0:07:59actually gone in there. I've asked the shop and I've witnessed them
0:07:59 > 0:08:01to seal that bag there and actually sign over the seal.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04I've no reason to go into that bag until it's returned to them
0:08:04 > 0:08:07or until it goes into auction to sell.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10£28,000 of precious stones might mean different things to
0:08:10 > 0:08:12different people.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14To Pete, however, they're just part of the job.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Doesn't make any difference to me. It's just a bag, isn't it?
0:08:21 > 0:08:25What happens to the diamonds is now up to Mr Kingston.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29He's got 14 days to pay the sheriffs the £6,000 he owes.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32If he does, they'll give the stones back.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34If he doesn't, they'll auction the diamonds
0:08:34 > 0:08:36and give the proceeds to their client,
0:08:36 > 0:08:40who might finally be able to buy the engagement ring they dreamt of.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Someone else looking to the sheriffs for help is solicitor
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Sherali Lakhani.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58Today, he's using the internet to talk to one of his clients,
0:08:58 > 0:08:59Myrna Torres.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01Hello, Myrna.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03She should be in the UK,
0:09:03 > 0:09:06but she's currently 7,000 miles away in the Philippines,
0:09:06 > 0:09:10and all because a British college took thousands of pounds
0:09:10 > 0:09:14of her savings, only to breach the contract they agreed with her.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27Myrna came to the UK four years ago to study
0:09:27 > 0:09:30so she could become a professional health carer.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Her first two-year course went well.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35She made friends here who were all
0:09:35 > 0:09:38warm to her and she loved the atmosphere.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40She was very happy here.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44But when she enrolled in a further course at William Shakespeare College in South London,
0:09:44 > 0:09:46things didn't go to plan.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50The college was contractually obliged to supply Myrna with
0:09:50 > 0:09:55the form she needed to get a study visa, known as a CAS form.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58They gave her one, but when she sent it to the Home Office,
0:09:58 > 0:09:59it was rejected.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02It turned out William Shakespeare College
0:10:02 > 0:10:04wasn't a government-registered sponsor.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07The college had been taken over by another school,
0:10:07 > 0:10:11A&S Training College, who WERE a registered sponsor.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15Surely they could give her the CAS form she needed?
0:10:15 > 0:10:18The college refused to give her a new letter and she kept going back
0:10:18 > 0:10:20and they kept telling her, "We'll do it next week,
0:10:20 > 0:10:24"the week after, or do it tomorrow." They refused to give her the money
0:10:24 > 0:10:28back and they really wouldn't do anything about it.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31She was really in tears every day, asking, begging them for help,
0:10:31 > 0:10:33and they wouldn't help her.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36It was a desperate situation for Myrna.
0:10:36 > 0:10:41She'd paid 75% of her first year's fees - £2,450.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43She hoped the qualification would mean
0:10:43 > 0:10:45she could eventually earn the money back.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49But whatever she tried, A&S still wouldn't supply a CAS form.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53She was at risk of having to leave the UK.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56She lost all her confidence.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59All she could do is cry every time you talked to her.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01She was thinking that she's not only lost the money
0:11:01 > 0:11:08but having also lost any future she may have had in this country.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10Sherali did everything he could to try
0:11:10 > 0:11:14and get A&S to provide Myrna with the accreditation she needed.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18They just ignored all our letters.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22I sent them by e-mails, faxes, post, recorded delivery.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26All means - they just did not even acknowledge any of the letters.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Over three months we wrote to them
0:11:28 > 0:11:32and we didn't get any response from them.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35No CAS form meant no visa for Myrna.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39She was forced to leave the UK without the qualifications
0:11:39 > 0:11:40she had set her heart on.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01She was telling me that her family was probably in debt
0:12:01 > 0:12:03because they had to borrow in order to give her
0:12:03 > 0:12:08the monies for her to study and she felt that she's let
0:12:08 > 0:12:11everyone down and she was feeling that she was the one at fault -
0:12:11 > 0:12:15she's done something wrong. In fact she hadn't done anything wrong,
0:12:15 > 0:12:19it was just that she fell victim to circumstances here.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Desperate to get Myrna some redress for the money she'd
0:12:21 > 0:12:25spent for nothing, Sherali took A&S Training College to court.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27It was a clear-cut case.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30All we were asking for was a confirmation on a piece
0:12:30 > 0:12:34of paper, required under the law, and they were not just providing it.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36A&S Training College didn't contest the case,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39and the judge awarded in Myrna's favour.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43Despite this, the college has still yet to pay back a penny.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46If Myrna can get her money back, she still has a chance
0:12:46 > 0:12:50of returning to the UK to complete her studies at a different college.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Determined they are going to get Myrna what she's owed,
0:12:55 > 0:12:58sheriffs Marc Newton and Tony Smith
0:12:58 > 0:13:01arrive at A&S Training College in North London.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04It may be a school day, but that's not enough to put off the sheriffs.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07They head straight to reception, High Court writ in hand.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10You all right? How you doing?
0:13:10 > 0:13:14It's about a High Court writ that's been issued against you,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17from Miriam Moncala Torres.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19It's against who?
0:13:19 > 0:13:20A&S Training College.
0:13:22 > 0:13:23Right, OK.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30It originally went to the county court in May of this year.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32OK, let me just call head office.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34Yeah, yeah, yeah. No problem.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38The man's hoping head office knows more about the case than he does.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40And when he speaks to them, they tell him
0:13:40 > 0:13:44they think they've got a reason why they don't have to pay.
0:13:44 > 0:13:45They've had a name change.
0:13:45 > 0:13:50A&S Training College is the old trading name of the college.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53So we're now Park Royal College.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56All your stuff out in the foyer's still got A&S Training on it.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Well, that's an old trading name.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02We've now switched to Park Royal College Ltd.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04Right, you're going to need to
0:14:04 > 0:14:06provide us with some proof of all this.
0:14:06 > 0:14:12Umm, yeah... They need proof of the change to Park Royal College.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15I'm just going down to look at stuff on the front wall.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19The head office continues to insist they're a new company,
0:14:19 > 0:14:21but Tony's not won over that easily.
0:14:21 > 0:14:22Yeah, OK.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27Well, A&S Training College doesn't exist any more as a trading company.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Well, what's all the stuff you've got in the hall
0:14:30 > 0:14:31as you come into reception?
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Everything on that wall is A&S Training College.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37Well, we switched to Park Royal College.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41You need to show proof of that like liability insurance or
0:14:41 > 0:14:43a Companies House certificate.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46I mean I can go into anywhere and they can tell me the name's changed.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Unless you show me proof, it means nothing.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52If Park Royal College Ltd is a different company,
0:14:52 > 0:14:55they will no longer be responsible for A&S's debt,
0:14:55 > 0:14:58and Marc and Tony will have to leave empty-handed.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01While Marc calls the office to ask them to make further checks
0:15:01 > 0:15:05on A&S, Tony tries to convince them that they do owe the money.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08But you are A&S Training College?
0:15:10 > 0:15:12You're Park Royal College?
0:15:12 > 0:15:15But all the stuff in reception is for A&S Training College.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20Well, I'm looking at your timetables on the walls here
0:15:20 > 0:15:23and they're saying the 2012 to 2013, A&S Training College.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26It's all over the walls in this office as well.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Well, you need to prove to me that it's changed.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33You need to get a Companies House certificate or a liability insurance.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35I'm not being funny but a liability insurance certificate
0:15:35 > 0:15:40should be on the wall, especially with what you do for a living.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Having called his own office, Marc's got good news.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45It's just a change of name so it doesn't matter.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47It's on the wall, isn't it?
0:15:47 > 0:15:50It's a Companies House certificate to say it's not a new company,
0:15:50 > 0:15:54it's changed its name to this company, so they're still liable.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57Park Royal College is still the same registered company
0:15:57 > 0:15:59as A&S Training College.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01They may have changed their name,
0:16:01 > 0:16:03but they're still liable for the debts.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Marc rams home the point.
0:16:05 > 0:16:06It's just been a change of name.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10It's just a change of name. It's just a change of name.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14No, it's just a change of names. It's a change of names.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Well, you need to pay, otherwise we're going to be removing goods.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22Tony gets listing company assets that the Sheriffs will seize
0:16:22 > 0:16:25and sell if the college won't pay up -
0:16:25 > 0:16:28something the employees don't like one bit.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31I really don't think you have to...
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Well, we do, cos unfortunately we have to do that
0:16:34 > 0:16:37whether it's paid or not. We still do it.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39It's a process, is it?
0:16:39 > 0:16:42It's a process. They have to price it up.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44I'm not pricing it up, I'm listing it.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46We're listing it, we're not pricing it up.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49While the employees try to sort out what to do,
0:16:49 > 0:16:52the Sheriffs look at assets elsewhere in the building.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54The computers aren't high-value items,
0:16:54 > 0:16:59but there are more than enough of them to seize to pay off the debt.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Marc and Tony have been at the college for 40 minutes
0:17:02 > 0:17:05and they're no nearer to being paid,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08as the college officials are still disputing payment.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10Marc's rapidly losing patience.
0:17:12 > 0:17:17We'll give them 30 minutes or so, and then if we don't get anywhere
0:17:17 > 0:17:20after that, we'll start geeing them up
0:17:20 > 0:17:23to start removing goods basically.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Moments later, the employee comes back.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29He insists the college knows nothing about the case,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32and that they want to get the judgment annulled.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35We had no knowledge of this.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Genuinely, we have no knowledge of this case.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42But obviously we're going to be defending that.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45But Marc knows only too well, at this late stage
0:17:45 > 0:17:48an appeal isn't going to stop them enforcing the writ.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51The thing is, at this stage, it's a live writ.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55So it would need to be paid today or we will remove goods.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59Whether he said he'll defend it, it's entirely up to him.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03He can do that, but today it will need to be dealt with.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Faced with having Marc publicly removing office furniture,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09the college finally gives up and agrees to pay.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Do you guys want us to transfer to your account?
0:18:12 > 0:18:14Yeah. You do. It's on the bottom of that paperwork.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- Can we do that?- As long as you're on the faster system,
0:18:17 > 0:18:19cos we have to sit here until it's gone through.
0:18:19 > 0:18:20You need to do this now...
0:18:20 > 0:18:22Now.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Cos it'll start going up.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30If payment goes through, it'll be a big score for Marc.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34He checks with the office to see if the bank transfer has been made.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37I just need to check the bank to see if some money's gone in, please?
0:18:37 > 0:18:39Thank you.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43OK, lovely. Thank you.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48It's a bull's-eye for Marc and Tony, whose persistence has paid
0:18:48 > 0:18:52dividends for themselves, and more importantly, for Myrna.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56The college meanwhile are keen to give their side of the story.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00We didn't know there was a judgment against, you know.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03If we knew about it, we would have contested it.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06We've got to look at what the judgment says.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08She wasn't provided with a letter.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12But if her visa was refused by UKBA we can't keep her in the college,
0:19:12 > 0:19:15which is against the law of the land.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19We'll look into the detail and see what happens.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23Marc is understandably delighted at getting the result
0:19:23 > 0:19:24he wanted for Myrna.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27We got there eventually.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31It took a while, but we got paid in full which was a good result.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35We've got the money which is a lot better than us having to remove
0:19:35 > 0:19:37all the computers, cos they weren't easy to get to,
0:19:37 > 0:19:38and it would've taken a while,
0:19:38 > 0:19:41it would send the bill through the roof, to be honest.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43It would've doubled the price of the bill by the time
0:19:43 > 0:19:45we'd started taking that out of there.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48Most importantly, the result means
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Myrna finally getting the £2,736 she's owed.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55I'd like to share the good news
0:19:55 > 0:19:59that we have recovered your money from the college.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05GIGGLES
0:20:13 > 0:20:17A&S Training College reiterated to us they knew nothing of Myrna's
0:20:17 > 0:20:21legal claim or the court judgment until visited by the sheriffs.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Had they known about it, they say they would have contested
0:20:24 > 0:20:27the case, as they insist there was no breach of contract.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Marc and Tony work for this High Court enforcement company
0:20:34 > 0:20:36in South London.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40They enforce over 1,000 High Court writs every month and recover
0:20:40 > 0:20:45over £24 million of money rightfully owed to their clients every year.
0:20:47 > 0:20:48Hiya.
0:20:48 > 0:20:49Good morning, sir.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52My name's Mr Grix. I'm an enforcement officer.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56Only Sheriffs can execute High Court writs and it gives them more powers
0:20:56 > 0:21:01than County Court bailiffs to enter properties and seize assets.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05We have a High Court writ. We're here today to remove that vehicle.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07If no payment is forthcoming,
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Sheriffs can seize goods to auction to pay off debts,
0:21:10 > 0:21:14although removing goods is rare, happening in less than 1% of cases.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21This is New York...
0:21:23 > 0:21:27..near Boston...in Lincolnshire.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32It may not have Manhattan's skyline, but for Keith and Chris Peberdy
0:21:32 > 0:21:35it was the dream life in the country they wanted after deciding
0:21:35 > 0:21:39to move from their home of 20 years in Dorset.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46We put in an offer the following day and luckily for us it was accepted.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51Unfortunately, this move was also the start of their troubles.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00Once the Peberdys decided to move house,
0:22:00 > 0:22:03they knew it was going to be no small task.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06We'd been in our old house for 20 years,
0:22:06 > 0:22:11so we had a lot of furniture, stuff in the garage.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Looking round for a removals company,
0:22:16 > 0:22:20they wanted a firm that would take the stress out of the ordeal.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24And after searching online,
0:22:24 > 0:22:28they found local Dorset firm Christchurch Removals.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Chris spoke to the company boss, John Green.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35He was very convincing that he would do a very good job
0:22:35 > 0:22:39and take care of our possessions,
0:22:39 > 0:22:42so we went with him.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44It's the biggest mistake we made.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48At first, the 170-mile move went well.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50The Peberdys were quite happy with the way the company
0:22:50 > 0:22:53packed their stuff and moved it out of their Dorset home.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56But when they got to their new New York house,
0:22:56 > 0:23:00the removers started to look anything but professional.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05There was a reproduction Victorian bedroom chair,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07which was badly scratched.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10The top was snapped off of a garden parasol.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Mr Green told me that I could glue it together.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16There was some shelving that was broken.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18A concrete planter, that was smashed.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22Our dining room table was scratched very badly.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27Upset about the damage, the Peberdys paid £900
0:23:27 > 0:23:29to have their table restored,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32which, with the other estimated repair costs,
0:23:32 > 0:23:37left them wanting just over £1,000 from Christchurch Removals.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Keith then got in touch with company boss John Green.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43First of all, we put our complaint in writing
0:23:43 > 0:23:48to Christchurch Removals along with an estimate for the damage to
0:23:48 > 0:23:50the table, which was the major item.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53And I don't think there was any response at all from them.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57And it just got increasingly difficult to get any communication
0:23:57 > 0:24:00going with them at all.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02After a month of trying to get in contact,
0:24:02 > 0:24:06Mr Green agreed to come to New York and inspect the damage.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08But Mr Green didn't want to resolve the problem,
0:24:08 > 0:24:11and no refund of any sort was forthcoming.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19Nine months on from their move, insulted at how they'd been treated
0:24:19 > 0:24:22and still without any sign of compensation,
0:24:22 > 0:24:24the Peberdys felt they had no choice
0:24:24 > 0:24:27but to take Christchurch Removals to court.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30The company told the court their insurers were dealing with
0:24:30 > 0:24:32the issue, but unimpressed by this defence,
0:24:32 > 0:24:37the judge awarded £1,085 in the Peberdys' favour.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41Since then, there's been no sign of any payment,
0:24:41 > 0:24:45so Chris and Keith have had to call on the help of the sheriffs.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54And on their way to Christchurch in Dorset to try and get
0:24:54 > 0:24:59their money back are sheriffs Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03We'll see if there's any vehicles on the driveway when we get there.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Potentially block the driveway or clamp any vehicles.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09And then we'll give it a knock. and just take it from there,
0:25:09 > 0:25:11see if we can get somebody to answer the door.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16It's just gone six in the morning when they arrive at the company
0:25:16 > 0:25:20address, which also happens to be owner Mr Green's home.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23It's that one with the Transit on the drive.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25No sooner have they arrived than Lawrence spots a potentially
0:25:25 > 0:25:29seizable van on the driveway of the house they've come to visit.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35Kev parks across the driveway to make sure it's going nowhere fast.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40Looks like they've got a dog.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Brilliant (!) I'm not getting bitten again.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Gate's locked.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53Sheriffs are legally allowed to climb gates or perimeter walls
0:25:53 > 0:25:57and fences to gain entry - even at residential addresses.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Luckily, today, Lawrence manages to find the handle.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04You got the front door there?
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Give it the bailiff knock.
0:26:09 > 0:26:10There we go.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Lawrence's knock has the desired effect,
0:26:13 > 0:26:16as a bleary-eyed member of the Green family comes to the door.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18I'm an enforcement officer.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20I'm here today to execute a High Court writ
0:26:20 > 0:26:22against Christchurch Removals.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25The man says there's no-one else in but him.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Nobody lives here, just you?
0:26:28 > 0:26:32So who's Christchurch Removals? Is that your mum and dad, is it?
0:26:32 > 0:26:35Right. And the van out the front, is that Christchurch Removals' van?
0:26:35 > 0:26:37You've no idea?
0:26:37 > 0:26:40You don't work for them. It's not your van?
0:26:40 > 0:26:44The son says his parents run the business and that they're away.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46Are you able to get one of them on the phone?
0:26:46 > 0:26:48You must be able to contact them.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51If something happens you need to be able to contact them, don't you?
0:26:51 > 0:26:53Well, something's happened.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56Well, I've woke you up, you can wake them up.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Because at the moment we're here to seize goods to clear this
0:26:59 > 0:27:02particular debt that we've got, which as it's looking at the moment
0:27:02 > 0:27:04is going to be the van out the front.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06You've just said it's not yours.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09It relates potentially to a removals business,
0:27:09 > 0:27:11so we're going to be looking to seize that vehicle,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14so you need to get your parents on the phone.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17I've woken you up. It's only fair you wake them up.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19The man says he knows his rights
0:27:19 > 0:27:22and that Lawrence has to get off the property.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25No, I don't. So you clearly don't know your rights.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30Getting the door slammed in their faces
0:27:30 > 0:27:32brings the discussion to an end.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34If he's to get any money back for the Peberdys,
0:27:34 > 0:27:36Lawrence will need to get in touch with the owners,
0:27:36 > 0:27:40and to do that, he needs their son to help him make contact.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45Lawrence turns his attention to the van on the drive.
0:27:45 > 0:27:50It could become a useful bargaining chip to lure the son back out.
0:27:50 > 0:27:51It's definitely used for work.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Yeah?
0:27:53 > 0:27:55What is there, stuff in the front?
0:27:55 > 0:27:57TomTom, street atlas, there's webbing strap.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Time to clamp the van.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02Stick a clamp on it, sit in the van.
0:28:02 > 0:28:03Yeah? OK.
0:28:04 > 0:28:09Usually, seeing the clamp go on is enough to get debtors to pay up.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11But today, there's a problem.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14Lawrence, where's it supposed to be?
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Oh, you're joking me? Oh, you're having a laugh.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24It should be there, shouldn't it?
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Yeah.
0:28:26 > 0:28:27That's not right.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33With no clamp and no debtor to talk to,
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Lawrence and Kev are limited in what they can do.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39They decide to wait it out until either the office opens
0:28:39 > 0:28:41so they can check on the ownership of the van,
0:28:41 > 0:28:45and potentially get it towed, or the debtor agrees to talk to them.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49But this is potentially worst-case scenario with a residential address.
0:28:49 > 0:28:50Yeah.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54Really, we need to be in dialogue...
0:28:56 > 0:29:00..and then we can establish who is the owner of the vehicle
0:29:00 > 0:29:04and whether we can actually take it or not.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07It's a 200-mile round trip for the Sheriffs,
0:29:07 > 0:29:10and the chances of getting any money seem to be fading.
0:29:10 > 0:29:11Until suddenly...
0:29:11 > 0:29:13There he is.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15..the son re-emerges.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19Worried that the van's going to be seized,
0:29:19 > 0:29:23he wants to show Lawrence paperwork which he thinks proves
0:29:23 > 0:29:28the van's owned personally by his father, not Christchurch Removals.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32As this quite clearly states, this document is not proof of ownership.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35We need some kind of proof of ownership or we'll be taking it.
0:29:35 > 0:29:36It's as simple as that.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40If we have to take a vehicle, you'll be liable for more money,
0:29:40 > 0:29:42so the best way to deal with it is get it paid.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44You need to get him on the phone.
0:29:44 > 0:29:45That's what phones are for,
0:29:45 > 0:29:48for contacting people when they're not around.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53Getting somewhere, slowly. Maybe.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56Well, he's dealing with it now. That's the thing.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59He's actively dealing with it, which is what you need.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05Finally, after another wait, the son emerges prepared to pay up.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07Did you get in touch with them?
0:30:07 > 0:30:10I phoned them up and they said just pay it, so...
0:30:10 > 0:30:11Yeah.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13As it's not a huge amount of money as well, you know.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16It's best to get these things sorted.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21Locked out of a residential property and with no clamp,
0:30:21 > 0:30:24at one point all wasn't looking good for Lawrence and Kev,
0:30:24 > 0:30:27so they're understandably delighted to have got a paid-in-full.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31Bosh!
0:30:31 > 0:30:33You've just met the A-Team!
0:30:35 > 0:30:38Absolutely blinding start to the day.
0:30:38 > 0:30:43A residential for what was potentially a non-entity -
0:30:43 > 0:30:46that's as good as it gets on that one.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48It's another triumph for the sheriffs.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51A paid-in-full for them
0:30:51 > 0:30:54and, for the Peberdys, finally a letter in the post.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57- Oh, we've got the cheque! - Brilliant.
0:30:57 > 0:31:03It says we have made a payment to you of £1,222.59
0:31:03 > 0:31:05in full payment of the above matter.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07- Oh, that's good.- Yeah.
0:31:07 > 0:31:12We weren't sure at any stage whether we were going to get paid or not.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16We're just happy that it's all over and we can get on with our lives now.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20Boss John Green told us the Peberdys refused an offer
0:31:20 > 0:31:22from the company's insurers.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25He said he had now retired
0:31:25 > 0:31:28and that Christchurch Removals was no longer trading.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40Today, Lawrence and Kev are staying close to their South London roots.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43They've got an appointment with a Sidcup mortgage advisor
0:31:43 > 0:31:46who owes money to a former client.
0:31:46 > 0:31:51We're at a residential address but apparently it is a commercial
0:31:51 > 0:31:54property with various companies working from it.
0:31:54 > 0:31:59We're looking for an S Williams, we're looking for £2,241.32.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03The lady they're on their way to help is Janet Folds.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05When she tried to take out a mortgage to buy a new home
0:32:05 > 0:32:07for her elderly father George,
0:32:07 > 0:32:11she thought it would make both of their lives easier.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15Instead, it's seen her out of pocket, forced to go to court
0:32:15 > 0:32:17and left relying on the sheriffs for help.
0:32:22 > 0:32:27Janet's father George is 87 and not in the best of health.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30He's worked all his life, but he's always been disabled.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34From the Second World War, he's got three bullet wounds, I believe.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36He's always been in pain.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38He can't manoeuvre his leg or his shoulder,
0:32:38 > 0:32:40and arthritis has set in,
0:32:40 > 0:32:46and he's also got a heart condition, he's got anaemia,
0:32:46 > 0:32:49and he's in quite a bad way, really.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53And the stairs in his house are too difficult to get up and down.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55To make live easier for George,
0:32:55 > 0:32:59Janet decided to move him out of his old house and find a new flat,
0:32:59 > 0:33:03which had the facilities he would need in his old age.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06She found just the place in Lewisham, South London.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08She took George to see it.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11He was over the moon with it, and it would've been ideal for him.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15The new flat was going to cost more than selling George's existing
0:33:15 > 0:33:18one would raise. They'd need a mortgage to cover the difference,
0:33:18 > 0:33:21and looking around for someone who could arrange one,
0:33:21 > 0:33:24Janet was recommended Stewart Williams.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27She went to meet with him and was impressed.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31I've got to say, it looked very professional - and so did he.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35Erm, everything in the office pointed at the fact that
0:33:35 > 0:33:37he was what he said he was.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39And a successful one at that.
0:33:39 > 0:33:44He said "This should be no problem at all but I'll need some money
0:33:44 > 0:33:45"from you straightaway."
0:33:45 > 0:33:49My father supplied the money, put it into my account,
0:33:49 > 0:33:51and I gave him a cheque there and then.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54He said, "Not to worry, you've got the mortgage."
0:33:54 > 0:33:58With Mr Williams' fee paid and the mortgage in the pipeline,
0:33:58 > 0:34:01Janet and George thought they could relax.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04But a few weeks after paying the £1,500,
0:34:04 > 0:34:06Janet received some bad news.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09The buyer for her father's house pulled out,
0:34:09 > 0:34:12which put her whole flat purchase in jeopardy.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15She got back in touch with Mr Williams.
0:34:15 > 0:34:24And he suggested that my brother could buy my dad's house...
0:34:24 > 0:34:26which sounded a bit odd.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29He said, well, if he buys that, you can keep that,
0:34:29 > 0:34:31keep the house,
0:34:31 > 0:34:35your father goes into the flat and the house can be let.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39So he said, right, I want another £2,000. First words out of his mouth.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43Thinking it their best option, Janet agreed to Mr Williams' plan
0:34:43 > 0:34:45of making two property purchases.
0:34:45 > 0:34:50Using George's money, she paid the additional £2,000 fees
0:34:50 > 0:34:52Mr Williams asked for.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54Days then weeks went by,
0:34:54 > 0:34:57and there was no sign of any mortgage.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00Janet got back in touch with Mr Williams,
0:35:00 > 0:35:01who gave her some bad news.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04Because there were now two mortgages needed,
0:35:04 > 0:35:08one would have to be buy-to-let, but no mortgage company would allow
0:35:08 > 0:35:12Janet's family to take out the riskier buy-to-let mortgage.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14He said, "I'm afraid we have got a problem, yeah."
0:35:14 > 0:35:16He said, "You can't have the mortgages."
0:35:16 > 0:35:18Just like that.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21But I thought he would've told me that in the beginning,
0:35:21 > 0:35:24but it was purely money. That's what he could see.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27And me, like a fool, I let him have it.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Janet then had to tell George that she'd had to pull out
0:35:30 > 0:35:33of the purchase of the flat he'd fallen in love with.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36My dad was so... He even packed.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40And he was virtually living as if he was going to move tomorrow.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43So I couldn't stand it no more. That night I've had to get him home,
0:35:43 > 0:35:45me and my sister told him.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47And he was gutted.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51Worse still, Mr Williams was refusing to give back any part
0:35:51 > 0:35:56of the £3,500 fees Janet and George had given him.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00Despite the fact they'd followed his advice and he had been unable
0:36:00 > 0:36:01to get them a mortgage,
0:36:01 > 0:36:04he said these fees were non-refundable.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07Well, I said to him, "What happens now then?"
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Thinking that he was going to say,
0:36:09 > 0:36:14"We'll give you some of it back," or just indicate something,
0:36:14 > 0:36:15so he said - nothing.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19And he looked at me as if I was asking something really strange.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21And by now, I was getting up.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23"No," he said. "That's the end of it.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26"You've got no mortgages. There is no mortgage."
0:36:26 > 0:36:29And I just sort of walked out a bit dumbstruck, really,
0:36:29 > 0:36:30and it wasn't until I got outside
0:36:30 > 0:36:33and thought what I really felt about him
0:36:33 > 0:36:36that I've made my mind up, one way or the other I was going to
0:36:36 > 0:36:39get the money back, whatever way it took!
0:36:39 > 0:36:43Determined not to let Mr Williams get away with her father's money,
0:36:43 > 0:36:46Janet investigated legal action.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48She took out a county court action against him.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52To Janet's surprise, Mr Williams admitted liability
0:36:52 > 0:36:54and agreed to pay her what she was owed.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58He admitted the whole amount and said,
0:36:58 > 0:37:03"but my defence is he's in financial difficulty,"
0:37:03 > 0:37:07and I thought, right.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10They said, "He's asked you for time to pay."
0:37:11 > 0:37:15So, I wrote back and said, "How long will this be?"
0:37:15 > 0:37:21So they said, "He'll send you £2,000 within 14 days,
0:37:21 > 0:37:24"and the rest he'll pay in February of this year."
0:37:24 > 0:37:28Mr Williams paid Janet the first £2,000.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30But after that - nothing.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34And now, nine months on, she's still waiting for her money.
0:37:34 > 0:37:39With nowhere left to turn, her last hope now rests with the sheriffs.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44Guided by their trusty sat nav, they arrive at the address
0:37:44 > 0:37:47named on the writ, park up and prepare for action.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49There's just one problem.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52We're looking for S Williams, no?
0:37:52 > 0:37:54This isn't the right house.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Stupid sat nav.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58The couple at the door tell them the address they need
0:37:58 > 0:38:00is actually around the corner.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Thanks very much.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Why do I get the blame for the sat nav being wrong?
0:38:04 > 0:38:06No, I said stupid sat nav.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09It seems they mistook the sheriffs for something quite different.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12They guessed we were bailiffs straightaway. What was that about?
0:38:12 > 0:38:14No, they said, "What have we won?"
0:38:14 > 0:38:16- What have we done? - No, "What have we won?"!
0:38:16 > 0:38:19They thought we were Lottery?
0:38:19 > 0:38:23Two minutes in the van and they find the address they're after nearby.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26Time to try again.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29But will this house be the office they're after?
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Hello, I'm looking for an S Williams?
0:38:35 > 0:38:39- I'm a bit worried about the...- Yeah. - Cos she's loitering.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42Yeah, go and have a word with her. Show her your ID.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44Worried about getting a parking ticket,
0:38:44 > 0:38:46Kev goes looking for a parking space
0:38:46 > 0:38:49while Lawrence goes into the office upstairs
0:38:49 > 0:38:51to introduce himself to the man who buzzed him in.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54Hello. It was you that buzzed me in, yeah?
0:38:54 > 0:38:56I'm looking for Mr S Williams.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01No, I appreciate that. So you don't know of a Mr Williams here?
0:39:07 > 0:39:09Mr Grix, an enforcement officer. If you can get him on the phone
0:39:09 > 0:39:12and just tell him there's an enforcement officer here for him.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17As the somewhat surprised office administrator goes to call
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Mr Williams with the news he has a visitor,
0:39:20 > 0:39:23Kev returns, having had no luck finding somewhere to park.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25If you want to keep an eye on the van.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28- Are you all right?- Yeah, I'll shout if I need you.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31Lawrence will now have to try and get Janet her money back
0:39:31 > 0:39:32without his partner's help.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38He tries to find out a bit more about where Mr Williams might be.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40Is he out at a client's, is he?
0:39:42 > 0:39:44Is that far away?
0:39:45 > 0:39:47Perhaps he needs to come here and sort it out then.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50He decides it's time to bypass the man in the office
0:39:50 > 0:39:52and talk to the broker directly.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56Can Lawrence persuade him to come down and pay up?
0:39:56 > 0:39:59Hello, Sir. My name's Mr Grix. I'm an enforcement officer.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02I'm here to execute a High Court writ on behalf of our claimant,
0:40:02 > 0:40:04J Folds?
0:40:04 > 0:40:09We're here today to seize goods to the value of £2,241.32.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11If you wish to prevent further action,
0:40:11 > 0:40:14you need to pay that amount in full.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16OK. Cheers. Bye-bye.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20That was a lot easier than expected.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23He knows who she is. He's not happy about her!
0:40:23 > 0:40:27But he's going to the bank to get the money out, I believe.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29He said he'd go and get the cash out now.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32But a sheriff as experienced as Lawrence knows until
0:40:32 > 0:40:36the money's in his hand, nothing's guaranteed.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39What I have to do, I have to seize goods within here,
0:40:39 > 0:40:42that's what I'm sent out for today, is to seize goods.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44We're not here for the money.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48We're here to seize goods he should've paid at the CCJ stage.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50He didn't, for whatever reason.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52What do you want to do then? >
0:40:52 > 0:40:55I just have to list everything down. It won't take me long.
0:40:55 > 0:40:56To keep the pressure up,
0:40:56 > 0:40:59he gets on with listing all the goods in the office.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01Is that a shredder, is it?
0:41:01 > 0:41:04If any of these belong to Stewart Williams,
0:41:04 > 0:41:06and he gets cold feet about paying up,
0:41:06 > 0:41:10they can then be removed and sold to pay his debt.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12No, no, it's all right.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14As Lawrence finishes listing assets,
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Stewart Williams calls to say he's minutes away.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23But he's also heard about our camera and wants us out of the office. Now.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30A few minutes later, Mr Williams arrives and goes in to speak
0:41:30 > 0:41:33to Lawrence, who's ready with the figure he's there to collect.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37But will Mr Williams agree to pay?
0:41:37 > 0:41:39£2,241.32.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43Yeah. £1.32.
0:41:45 > 0:41:49Stewart Williams hands over the full amount owed - in cash.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53Cash. Nil balance. And just sign and print for me.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56There you go. There's your receipt.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59I'll leave you in peace. Cheers. Bye-bye.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03It's the perfect result for Lawrence and great news for Janet,
0:42:03 > 0:42:05and her father, George.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07He paid in full? Bosh!
0:42:07 > 0:42:10Bish, bash.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14Finally, they'll now get back their money - in full.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17It's all in there. The guy knew about the debt.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21He didn't want the aggravation so he went and got the money and paid it.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23We're done and dusted and that's the end of it.
0:42:23 > 0:42:28This is a letter from the sheriffs to say that they successfully got
0:42:28 > 0:42:32my money back. I feel good now to know that we've got it back for
0:42:32 > 0:42:35my dad. I'd like to have been there when they went in there.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38It's just satisfying knowing that I've got this back.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40I hope other people do what I've done.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46A few days after Pete removed £28,000 of diamonds from
0:42:46 > 0:42:51Kingston Diamond Merchants, owner Mr Kingston paid the £6,000 debt.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55The diamonds have now been returned to him and the couple
0:42:55 > 0:42:58he mis-sold an engagement ring to have been paid in full.