0:00:02 > 0:00:05- 'Meet the sheriffs.' - Let's introduce ourselves.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07We're here to execute a High Court writ.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11'They're the men whose job it is to get YOU your money back.'
0:00:11 > 0:00:13It's an arrestable offence to stop me doing my job.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16'If you've been ripped off and don't know where to turn...'
0:00:16 > 0:00:20- I'm not waiting any more. - I'm ordered to seize goods to clear this debt.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22'..if you've been to court,
0:00:22 > 0:00:24'but still not been paid what you're owed...'
0:00:24 > 0:00:28Why don't you tell me who you are? You need to pay this.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31'..the High Court Enforcement Officers are charged by law
0:00:31 > 0:00:34'to recover what a court says is rightfully yours.'
0:00:34 > 0:00:36I've seized your car, sir.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39You can let us through the door or we'll go through the window.
0:00:39 > 0:00:44- 'It's time to call the sheriffs.' - I collected 42 grand.
0:00:47 > 0:00:52'Coming up, Gary and Janice Lomas paid £3,600 for their dream kitchen,
0:00:52 > 0:00:54'but got anything but.'
0:00:54 > 0:00:58We knew then it was a fight between us and him.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01'The sheriffs go in search of their money.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04'Mike Campbell paid £9,000 for a car,
0:01:04 > 0:01:08'but ended up taking the garage he bought it from to court.'
0:01:08 > 0:01:12I said, "I want my money back." He said, "That's not going to happen."
0:01:12 > 0:01:15'Can the sheriffs get him what he's owed?'
0:01:15 > 0:01:21The total due today is £11,757.96p. How would you like to pay?
0:01:21 > 0:01:25'And is it lift-off for the sheriffs' seizure of their biggest ever asset?'
0:01:25 > 0:01:30I'm at your hangar at the moment. I have actually seized one of your aircraft.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39'Blackpool - the ultimate British seaside resort.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44'It's famous for its tower, rides and miles of sandy beach.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48'It's also home to Gary Smith and Janice Lomas.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51'When they decided to upgrade their kitchen,
0:01:51 > 0:01:53'they thought it would be a simple matter.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56'Instead, it's left them at their wits' end -
0:01:56 > 0:01:59'short-changed and battling in the courts.'
0:02:06 > 0:02:10GARY: We saved up a long time to have a new kitchen.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12You think if they've had the money,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15you've agreed a job, you've got plans,
0:02:15 > 0:02:17that's what it's going to look like when it's finished,
0:02:17 > 0:02:19that's what you expect to see.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25'Janice has multiple sclerosis, while Gary, a stonemason by trade,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28'suffered a serious accident on the job,
0:02:28 > 0:02:32'meaning both are now unable to work and money is always tight.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36'So paying for a new kitchen was a major investment for them -
0:02:36 > 0:02:40'one which they entrusted to Chris Smith's Kitchen Supermarket.'
0:02:40 > 0:02:43We thought, with it being a small family business,
0:02:43 > 0:02:44it would be a pretty safe bet.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47The impressions we got in the beginning were good.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49- They were helpful.- Friendly.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Yeah, we thought everything was hunky-dory.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56'Gary and Janice agreed to pay Chris Smith a total of £3,600,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59'to be paid in instalments,
0:02:59 > 0:03:04'with the final £1,600 due when the kitchen was completed.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06'But Gary and Janice soon realised
0:03:06 > 0:03:09'they weren't getting the kitchen they dreamt of.'
0:03:09 > 0:03:13The crux of the problem was the measuring up.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16That's the only way I can see that the problem started.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Mr Smith worked to HIS measurements,
0:03:18 > 0:03:22which is obviously what he took, but were not right.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26'Gary and Janice had wanted a high-quality-finish kitchen
0:03:26 > 0:03:28'with all the appliances covered.'
0:03:28 > 0:03:34We've got the tumble dryer and the washing machine exposed.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36You see the screw holes on each side.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42'But the washing machine and dryer weren't covered, as agreed.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45'One of the cupboards in the plans wouldn't fit
0:03:45 > 0:03:47'and had to be replaced with a wine rack.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51'There are also gaps between units, missing splashboards
0:03:51 > 0:03:53'and poor finishing.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57'But that didn't stop Mr Smith demanding payment of the full price
0:03:57 > 0:03:59'before the job was even finished.'
0:03:59 > 0:04:02He was constantly pestering Janice and she handed over a cheque.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06From that point on, he told us he couldn't put the unit doors
0:04:06 > 0:04:09on the washing machine and the dryer.
0:04:09 > 0:04:15'Mr Smith bagged the full £3,600, without addressing their concerns.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20'At this point, he became extremely difficult to pin down.'
0:04:20 > 0:04:24We were constantly on the phone, asking was somebody coming today?
0:04:24 > 0:04:27"Yes," we were told. "Yes, they were." No-one arrived.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32'Gary and Janice's dream kitchen was turning into anything but.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36'They wrote to Mr Smith demanding he finish the job to a proper standard,
0:04:36 > 0:04:40'but he told them there was nothing wrong with his work.'
0:04:40 > 0:04:43If you make a mistake and you're in business,
0:04:43 > 0:04:45there's only you who can put that right,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48it should become your responsibility, not the clients'.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53'Despite three independent surveys confirming the work was substandard
0:04:53 > 0:04:56'and the intervention of Trading Standards
0:04:56 > 0:04:58'to make him agree to the necessary repairs,
0:04:58 > 0:05:03'Mr Smith failed to ever finish the job as he'd promised.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07'Finally, the couple decided that legal action was their only option.'
0:05:07 > 0:05:11We took it to court. We knew then it was a fight between us and him.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14And that was it.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16'When the case was contested,
0:05:16 > 0:05:19'a judge ruled in Gary and Janice's favour,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21'awarding them £750
0:05:21 > 0:05:26'for Kitchen Supermarket's failure to complete the job as agreed.
0:05:26 > 0:05:32'Mr Smith then claimed he could only afford to pay this debt in instalments of £5 a week.'
0:05:32 > 0:05:34Very, very insulted.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37I didn't pay him £5 a week for my kitchen.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41'Gary and Janice rejected his offer
0:05:41 > 0:05:44'and went back to court, demanding payment in full.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49'The judge agreed and ordered the debt be settled within a week.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52'However, Mr Smith still refused to pay up.
0:05:54 > 0:06:00'So today, sheriffs Pete Spencer and Dave Crabtree are in Blackpool,
0:06:00 > 0:06:03'to make sure he pays up what he owes.'
0:06:03 > 0:06:07We've been asked to attend the address where the showroom is,
0:06:07 > 0:06:10I believe, between 9 o'clock and 5, Monday to Friday.
0:06:10 > 0:06:15We're bang in the middle of the day. Hopefully, the shop will be open.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20"Kitchens Made For You", that's going to be it. Highfields Kitchens.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24'The name on the showroom sign may be different,
0:06:24 > 0:06:28'but the sheriff's writ explains this is simply the trading name
0:06:28 > 0:06:30'of Kitchen Supermarket UK Ltd.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34'Pete and Dave waste little time announcing their arrival.'
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Good afternoon. Is Mr Smith about? I'm an Enforcement Officer.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39We've got a High Court writ to attend here today.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42'Boss Mr Smith isn't around,
0:06:42 > 0:06:45'so Pete asks the receptionist to get him on the phone.'
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Good afternoon. I'm an Enforcement Officer.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51We've got a High Court writ to attend here today.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Can you attend the property?
0:06:53 > 0:06:55OK. Cheers, thank you.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57On the way down.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02'At this point, our cameraman is asked to leave.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05'A few minutes later, Chris Smith arrives
0:07:05 > 0:07:07'for a showroom showdown with Pete.'
0:07:08 > 0:07:13PETE: Regarding a Gary Smith and a Miss Janice Lomas.
0:07:13 > 0:07:18We're here to collect £1,637.40p or seize goods.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21'Mr Smith produces a copy of the County Court paperwork
0:07:21 > 0:07:27'and tells Pete, as there's a spelling mistake with his company name, he doesn't have to pay.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30'Pete's not having any of it.'
0:07:30 > 0:07:33I'm not from the County Court, so that's irrelevant.
0:07:33 > 0:07:34I'm from the High Court.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38I've got the High Court writ. The address of the person is fine.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42We'll be seizing goods with view to removing them.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45There's interest per day going on cos it's High Court.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49We're up to £1,637.40. How would you like to pay?
0:07:49 > 0:07:52'Having failed to get off on a technicality,
0:07:52 > 0:07:57'Mr Smith concedes defeat and agrees to pay up.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00'Three years after leaving Gary and Janice's kitchen in a mess,
0:08:00 > 0:08:05'it's taken Pete a little over three minutes to get them the money they're owed.'
0:08:05 > 0:08:08All the bank details there - the name of the account,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10the account number and sort code.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13You must reference it with that number there.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20'With payment complete, Chris Smith decides he wants to give his side of the story.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23'He says the judge only upheld the part of Gary and Janice's claim
0:08:23 > 0:08:25'relating to their washing machine.'
0:08:25 > 0:08:28This was his existing washing machine.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32We couldn't put a guard on because of the shape of the washing machine.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37So the judge awarded £750 to Mr Smith for one washing machine.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41That's why we're here today. I wouldn't pay Mr Smith on principle.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45These are a typical example of our customers
0:08:45 > 0:08:49whose jobs we've done - photographs of jobs what we've actually done.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52100% satisfied, and that's what we work on.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55'But Gary and Janice were left far from satisfied.
0:08:55 > 0:09:00'At least, for them, their long battle has finally come to an end.'
0:09:00 > 0:09:03When I got the news they'd recovered the money,
0:09:03 > 0:09:05I was quite gob-smacked, actually.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09I certainly didn't expect them to recover it so quickly.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12I thought he'd have played the game a lot longer than what he did.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16That was the end of that. I was quite pleased. Thanks very much.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27'Although sheriffs can go anywhere in the country, and frequently do,
0:09:27 > 0:09:31'the bulk of their enforcements take them to either offices or houses.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35'This morning, however, sheriffs Marc Newton and Tony Smith
0:09:35 > 0:09:38'are off to a different type of commercial premises.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42'They're off to an airport,
0:09:42 > 0:09:46'and they're eyeing up the biggest asset they've ever seized.'
0:09:46 > 0:09:50We're off to a place by Southend Airport.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54We've had a report that this company has got a plane that they own.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58So, hopefully, it'll be there and the company's still trading.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02If we don't get any joy, we'll be seizing an aeroplane this afternoon.
0:10:02 > 0:10:10'Marc and Tony are after £3,858 from a company, 247 Jet,
0:10:10 > 0:10:12'that hires out private planes.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16'They owe money to people who carried out services for the company,
0:10:16 > 0:10:18'but whose fees weren't paid.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20'They don't wish to be identified.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22'If 247 Jet won't pay up,
0:10:22 > 0:10:27'the sheriffs can legally seize any assets they can prove belong to the company,
0:10:27 > 0:10:30'with a view to selling them at auction to pay off the debt.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33'They're hoping not to have to take a plane.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37'But if needs be, they will.'
0:10:38 > 0:10:41I believe with a plane there's a log book
0:10:41 > 0:10:44that has to be on it to fly.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48So we'll try and make sure the plane can't go anywhere, if it is there.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51Hopefully, with a plane sitting on the ground that they can't use,
0:10:51 > 0:10:55we'll entice them into paying us.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01'But first of all, the sheriffs have to establish whether the plane is there at all.'
0:11:01 > 0:11:06- It could be anywhere.- It could be in the sky, at Biggin Hill.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Farnborough.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12Got to chase a plane round the country, trying to find it.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16There it goes! Down the runway! Follow that plane quick!
0:11:16 > 0:11:19'And airports aren't the easiest places to get access to,
0:11:19 > 0:11:23'even for sheriffs who've come bearing High Court writs.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28'First up, Marc has to negotiate the airport's own security.'
0:11:28 > 0:11:32This must be the gate here.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41I'm not sure if I've got the right place.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44I'm after 247 Jet Ltd.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47'They wait while the security moves a plane.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51'And then, as officers of the High Court on the trail of a debt,
0:11:51 > 0:11:53'they have the all-clear to head in.'
0:11:53 > 0:11:57Am I going to fit under that wing? Take the wing out!
0:11:57 > 0:12:01'While the sheriffs are allowed in, we're asked to wait outside.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06'Marc heads to 247 Jet's offices - but he's soon back.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08'The company's offices are shut,
0:12:08 > 0:12:11'but he's managed to contact the boss, who's on his way.'
0:12:11 > 0:12:14The guy said he's 45 minutes to an hour away.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18So I've told him I'll hang on for him. I've told him what it's about.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22He seems to think that he's paid it, but I don't think he had.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26He wasn't 100% sure. He said, "I thought I'd paid that."
0:12:26 > 0:12:28We're just going to hang on till he gets here.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33'Three-quarters of an hour later, the boss duly arrives.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36'Marc explains what he's doing there.'
0:12:36 > 0:12:39They took you to court 5th April, to the County Court.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42We need to collect the payment.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45'The man says he can't pay, as his accounts office is closed.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49'He's also unhappy that the amount owed has gone from just over £2,000
0:12:49 > 0:12:56'to almost 4,000, due to legal fees, sheriff costs, interest and VAT.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59'He says he will not pay the sheriffs' fees.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04'Marc reminds him that if he doesn't pay, his plane is in jeopardy.'
0:13:04 > 0:13:07You need to do something today or we're going to have to seize goods.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Unfortunately, sir, you don't get a choice.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14I'm just saying to you we need to get some money. You can do £1,000.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17You can do the rest on Wednesday.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21'The man heads to his office, but isn't keen on the sheriffs following.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23'That isn't going to stop Marc.'
0:13:23 > 0:13:27He's not telling me where we're going and where we ain't going!
0:13:29 > 0:13:32'Marc and Tony follow the man to his office.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34'Soon after, they return.'
0:13:34 > 0:13:39What's happened is he's paid us £750 today and he's going to pay the balance in two days' time.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43We'll give him the benefit of the doubt. We'll give him 48 hours.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Hopefully, he'll pay up.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49I told him we'll be back and it's going to be costing him a lot more money.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53'With £750 in the bank for the people owed money, and the rest due to follow,
0:13:53 > 0:13:57'it's at least lift-off for the sheriffs.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01'But there's still several thousand pounds of the debt outstanding.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04'If it's not paid in the next few days,
0:14:04 > 0:14:06'the sheriffs will have to come back.'
0:14:06 > 0:14:10It doesn't matter where it is for the people who owe the money.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12We can pursue them wherever.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15If we need to get into an airport, we'll get into an airport.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20If we need to get into his office or his hangar to seize his plane, we will do so.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24At this stage, hopefully, he'll realise that it's got to be paid
0:14:24 > 0:14:26and he'll deal with it from there.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29'Unfortunately, despite 247 Jet's promises,
0:14:29 > 0:14:33'they didn't pay up the rest of the money they owed.
0:14:33 > 0:14:39'Later, we'll see how Lawrence gets on when he returns to get the money owed - or take the plane.'
0:14:49 > 0:14:53'Back on the road, on the trail of smaller vehicles than aircraft,
0:14:53 > 0:14:55'are sheriffs Pete and Dave.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59'They're in Preston, on their way to a second-hand car garage.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07'The man they're on their way to help is Mike Campbell.
0:15:07 > 0:15:12'He's a project manager for a major national construction company.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16'He's living in Manchester, but currently working in Glasgow.
0:15:16 > 0:15:22'It's no surprise, therefore, that his car is a massive part of his working life.'
0:15:22 > 0:15:27I spend a lot of time behind the wheel. This is a tool of the trade.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29It's sort of my live-in office.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34'Mike's decision to treat himself to a new car to ease his commute
0:15:34 > 0:15:38'turned out to be one that he's come to regret,
0:15:38 > 0:15:43'landing him in court and bringing him to the doors of the sheriffs for help.
0:15:46 > 0:15:51'Mike's problems began when he decided he was due a motoring upgrade.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54'He went looking for a new car and, searching online,
0:15:54 > 0:15:58'he thought he'd found the perfect model - a BMW X5,
0:15:58 > 0:16:01'being sold by Arena Cars of Preston.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05'Mike went to inspect the car in person.'
0:16:05 > 0:16:09Looked at the car and it looked superb in the photos.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13It actually didn't do it justice cos the car was superb.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17There wasn't a scratch on the bodywork. The inside was immaculate.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19That one. That's the same car.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23It looks good and it feels good to drive.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27'Besotted with the BMW, the same model as in these photos,
0:16:27 > 0:16:31'Mike paid £8,995 for it.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34'A few days later, it was delivered to him.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37'The car ran on liquid petroleum gas.
0:16:37 > 0:16:42'Almost immediately after filling it up, things started to go wrong.'
0:16:42 > 0:16:47Filled the car up. Got the car back. Jumped out the car.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Went to lock it. Locking didn't work.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53The deadlock doesn't work. The lock doesn't work.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56The alarm system doesn't work. Therefore, it's not insured.
0:16:56 > 0:17:01'Mike returned the car to Arena, who told him they'd fix it.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05'After waiting two weeks, the locking problem still hadn't been solved.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09'By now, Mike had serious concerns about what he'd bought.'
0:17:09 > 0:17:15I said to him on the phone, "I'm coming down. You can keep the car. I just want the money back.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17"You've had it longer than I've had it so far.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21"I've owned the car two weeks and you've had it a week and a half.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24"I want my money back." He said, "That's not going to happen.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29'Instead, Arena agreed to pay for another garage to fix the locking issue.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32'Which they did, for £438.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37'Mike paid up-front, and Arena promised to send him a cheque -
0:17:37 > 0:17:39'which he's never received.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43'But before he could get too upset about that, worse was to happen.'
0:17:43 > 0:17:47I was driving to a place just outside Glasgow,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50got on the M74, was only two junctions down.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53I was only doing 60 miles an hour.
0:17:53 > 0:17:58All of a sudden, there was a knocking and a bang and the engine just cut out.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03I came off the motorway, managed to park up near the National Park.
0:18:03 > 0:18:09Car wouldn't start at all. There was no smell, no oil dripping, anything like that.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12I phoned the RAC to get them to come and have a look.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15'The RAC told Mike that his engine had failed.
0:18:15 > 0:18:21'For the car to work again, he'd need it stripped down and rebuilt from scratch.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25'Once again, Arena told him to bring the car in for them to fix.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29'Mike paid another £460 to get the car towed
0:18:29 > 0:18:34'from Glasgow to Arena in Preston, leaving him without a vehicle for work.'
0:18:34 > 0:18:37I've got no other vehicle. I paid cash for the car.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41I don't have the luxury of three or four cars. I had to borrow a van.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43So I was gutted.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47Another week went by, or week and a half went by.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49I said, "Where's my car?"
0:18:49 > 0:18:52He said, "All you need to know is that we're repairing it."
0:18:52 > 0:18:53I said, "No, you've got my car.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55"I want to know where my vehicle is."
0:18:55 > 0:18:59"All you need to know is that we're going to repair it."
0:18:59 > 0:19:02"But you've had it now for nearly three and a half weeks
0:19:02 > 0:19:04and you've not done anything.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08"What am I supposed to do?" He said, "That's all you need to know."
0:19:08 > 0:19:12I said, "This is professional courtesy, is it? This is how you treat your customers?"
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Frustration, anger...
0:19:14 > 0:19:19Um... Just very, very, VERY frustrated.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Just wanted to go down and see him face-to-face.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24'Arena said they were trying to fix the car.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28'By now, Mike just wanted his money back.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32'Arena refused to pay up, so Mike thought he had no option
0:19:32 > 0:19:34'but to take Arena to court.'
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Didn't know where else to turn. I'd completely run out of ideas.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41Without physically going down there and grabbing the money off the desk
0:19:41 > 0:19:42I didn't know what to do.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45I was totally frustrated. Totally frustrated.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48'After starting court proceedings,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51'Arena eventually accepted liability in writing.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55'Despite this, Mike still hasn't received any money.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58'To get what he's owed, he's had to hire the sheriffs.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05'Which is why sheriffs Pete and Dave are in Preston in Lancashire,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08'on their way to Arena Car Centre.'
0:20:08 > 0:20:10This first one we're going to is a car garage,
0:20:10 > 0:20:14Broughton Motors, trading as Arena Car Centre.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17'Car dealerships are a common visit for the sheriffs.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20'The high-value assets on their forecourts
0:20:20 > 0:20:23'represent both an opportunity and a challenge.'
0:20:23 > 0:20:26In theory, we will be seizing vehicles
0:20:26 > 0:20:28on arrival this morning.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31The worst case scenario could be
0:20:31 > 0:20:35that they're selling vehicles on behalf of customers.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38We'll still seize the vehicles and it's up to them to prove
0:20:38 > 0:20:42that they don't own the vehicles, customers own those vehicles.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46'Pete and Dave arrive and pull up.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49'The only problem is, they're a bit too early.'
0:20:49 > 0:20:52- It isn't open yet. - It opens at 9.30.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56I'll give him a call. We'll seize the vehicles and list the vehicles.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00See if we can get in touch with him a bit earlier than when he's going to arrive.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04'Dave's given the task of listing the cars on the forecourt
0:21:04 > 0:21:07'for a possible Walking Possession order.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10'If Arena won't pay up, the sheriffs can execute the order
0:21:10 > 0:21:12'to seize the vehicles.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15'The threat of having the cars towed away and sold
0:21:15 > 0:21:17'is usually enough to get the payment.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23'Pete, meanwhile, is having trouble raising the manager.'
0:21:23 > 0:21:25The mobile number's switched off.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29I've just tried calling that up on the display.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33By the time we've filled the inventory sheet out for the vehicles,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36which is what Dave's doing, somebody should be on site.
0:21:36 > 0:21:41We'll just have to sit tight and wait until somebody arrives.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45'Dave gets on with listing more cars to cover the debt.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47'Pete, meanwhile, lays the groundwork
0:21:47 > 0:21:49'in case he needs to tow them.'
0:21:49 > 0:21:53Can we have an indemnity to remove?
0:21:53 > 0:21:57£12,000 is his debt so potentially, there'll be vehicles to remove.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01There's going to be more than that, probably about four or five cars.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Right, I'll come back to you, in case he comes.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11'A member of staff arrives on site, but it's not owner Stephen Thomas.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13'The garage assistant does tell Pete
0:22:13 > 0:22:16'what he fears most about the ownership of the cars on display.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19'That they're owned, not by the garage,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21'but by a third party funder.'
0:22:29 > 0:22:32What you need to be doing is getting that funder down here
0:22:32 > 0:22:34cos we've seized every vehicle on here.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37He needs to get proof that he owns them and you don't.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39- It's all in there. - Is it all inside?
0:22:39 > 0:22:41'Pete asks if he can produce evidence
0:22:41 > 0:22:43'to back up what he's saying,
0:22:43 > 0:22:45'while they wait for the boss to arrive.'
0:22:49 > 0:22:51What we've seized is property of the court.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54So they'll have to prove that they don't own them now.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57'Pete's worried, because if Arena can prove
0:22:57 > 0:22:59'the cars belong to a third party,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02'he can't seize them and they'll be no use to him
0:23:02 > 0:23:04'to use as leverage to get payment.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08'He's just musing on the issue when there's an arrival.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12'It's owner Stephen Thomas, on site and ready to talk.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16'Can Pete persuade him he needs to pay this debt?'
0:23:16 > 0:23:19- Mr Thomas, is it?- Yes.- It's in connection with Mike Campbell.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23- Right. The X5.- He's just been explaining what car it is.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28- So, the total due today is £11,757.96p.- Right, OK.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30That's the reason for our visit,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33to either collect that amount or remove goods to that value.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37- I did contact the court...- Right. County Court, yeah?- Don't know.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Yeah. It won't have been us. It'll have been County Court.
0:23:40 > 0:23:46- We did try to contact him to try to sort it out, which way we were going to pay it.- Right. OK.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50How would you like to pay it? We can do debit card, credit card, cash.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53- Do a bank transfer?- Yeah. - That's fine as well.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55- We're looking for the full amount today.- Right. OK.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58I'm not trying to get out of not paying it.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Um... Can you come back after, or...?
0:24:01 > 0:24:05We can't. Just to make you aware, we've been on site for an hour now.
0:24:05 > 0:24:06We arrived at half past eight.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09- We don't open till half past nine. - Which I gather.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13After the first hour, we charge £181.50 plus VAT per hour.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17Because you only open at half nine, I won't start charging you now.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20You've got another hour before we start charging the waiting time.
0:24:20 > 0:24:25From half past ten, we will be charging an hourly fee on top for waiting.
0:24:25 > 0:24:30'To Pete's surprise, owner Stephen Thomas says he's willing to pay the debt in full,
0:24:30 > 0:24:34'without Pete having to break sweat, let alone clamp any cars.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38'But it's not over until the money's in Pete's hands
0:24:38 > 0:24:41'or transferred into the sheriffs' bank account,
0:24:41 > 0:24:47'and the owner has got to find nearly £12,000 from somewhere.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51'The owner tried to make a bank transfer, but there's a problem.
0:24:51 > 0:24:56'He's chosen the wrong type of transfer and it could take a day or two for the money to go through.'
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Just been on to Barclays now and they have sent it.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04But what they've said is he hasn't ticked the immediate payment box
0:25:04 > 0:25:05and it could take up to a day.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09'The sheriffs can't leave until payment is in their account.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11'Not wanting Pete on site all day,
0:25:11 > 0:25:15'the owner decides to change his method of payment.'
0:25:15 > 0:25:18He's just rung somebody up.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21They're going to just pay it by card.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Going to get the card machine and take it down and, hopefully...
0:25:24 > 0:25:27'But no sooner is Dave off with the card machine,
0:25:27 > 0:25:30'than he's back - empty-handed.'
0:25:30 > 0:25:32Reverse on that.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35The guy hasn't got a card.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38'So, with the original bank transfer halted
0:25:38 > 0:25:41'and unable to find a card to pay off the debt,
0:25:41 > 0:25:46'if he wants the sheriffs out of his hair, the garage boss has got to find an alternative.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48'He gets back on to his bank
0:25:48 > 0:25:51'to see if he can arrange an immediate transfer of funds.
0:25:51 > 0:25:56'Moments later, it looks like it's third time lucky.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01'After checking the transaction with the office, Pete's had good news.'
0:26:01 > 0:26:03The defendant's paid in full.
0:26:03 > 0:26:10£11,767.96p. Paid it in full, which is what we've come for.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13'A "paid in full" of nearly £12,000
0:26:13 > 0:26:16'is a great start to the day for any sheriff.
0:26:16 > 0:26:21'More importantly, it means Mike Campbell finally getting the money he's owed.'
0:26:21 > 0:26:27"We're pleased to confirm, pending clearance, we have received monies payment in full in this matter.
0:26:27 > 0:26:33"We shall remit the monies in the statuary 14-day period." I've won. Fantastic!
0:26:33 > 0:26:35Never thought I'd get it. Cheers, guys.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Hello, there. I'm a High Court Enforcement Officer.
0:26:41 > 0:26:46'Anyone that manages to obtain a County Court Judgement of over £600
0:26:46 > 0:26:49'can upgrade it to the High Court and get a writ.'
0:26:49 > 0:26:54We are here today to collect £20,741 and a penny.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57'The sheriffs will demand payment or seize assets
0:26:57 > 0:27:01'from anyone named on a writ, no matter how big or small the amount.'
0:27:01 > 0:27:03The bottom line is, it needs paying.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06We're coming in, whether you let me in or not.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10'They've seized Formula 1 cars, trailers, aeroplanes,
0:27:10 > 0:27:13'ships, sheep and bullion.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17'The largest seizure they've ever made was for over £5 million.'
0:27:17 > 0:27:20I'll write you out a receipt.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22'These days, a High Court writ costs £60.
0:27:22 > 0:27:27'If the sheriffs are successful, there's nothing more for the client to pay.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30'If unsuccessful, the only cost is a £60 admin fee.'
0:27:30 > 0:27:33I think he thinks we're just going to leave.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36He's going to be in for a shock, cos we don't.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47'Earlier, we saw Marc and Tony at Southend Airport,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50'trying to get money back from 247 Jet
0:27:50 > 0:27:55'for people who carried out services for the company, but whose fees weren't paid.
0:27:55 > 0:28:00'Their stand-off ended with the boss of 247 Jet paying £750
0:28:00 > 0:28:04'and agreeing to settle the rest of the debt in five days.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06'This payment never arrived.
0:28:06 > 0:28:11'Now, Lawrence and Kev have got up early to beat the morning traffic
0:28:11 > 0:28:15'and are going back to the airport to settle the debt once and for all.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17'This time, they're under orders
0:28:17 > 0:28:20'not to leave without either payment in full
0:28:20 > 0:28:24'or a jet worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.'
0:28:24 > 0:28:28The guy's just playing hard to get, so we're playing even harder today.
0:28:28 > 0:28:34We've got a locksmith meeting us there. I've brought all the appropriate paperwork.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38Notices to stick on the aircraft so that we can seize it.
0:28:38 > 0:28:44We'll be removing any documents like insurance and service records,
0:28:44 > 0:28:47which makes the plane scrap value if you haven't got them.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50So, basically, we're looking
0:28:50 > 0:28:53to potentially ground one aircraft today.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57'With dawn breaking, they arrive and park up.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00'They're waiting for a locksmith because, if needs be,
0:29:00 > 0:29:04'they're legally allowed to force entry onto the plane.'
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Yeah, dive in here.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08Stealth approach!
0:29:08 > 0:29:13'The wait also gives Lawrence the chance to study his battle plan.'
0:29:13 > 0:29:15Aviation Way. There's the security hut.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17It's over there.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19Their door in is there.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23- I'm pretty sure it's that hangar over there.- That's handy.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27'Soon after, their locksmith arrives
0:29:27 > 0:29:30'and Lawrence and Kev are ready to go airside.'
0:29:30 > 0:29:33Hello, mate. Looking for 247 Jet.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37We're Enforcement Officers here to execute a High Court writ.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39'Lawrence produces the High Court writ
0:29:39 > 0:29:41'and airport security waves them through.'
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Thanks very much.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45I'm on the runway!
0:29:45 > 0:29:50- You're not on the runway, you're on the taxi way.- Left here?
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- I'm on the runway!- Get up there. KEV LAUGHS
0:29:57 > 0:30:00This is it, this hangar here.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04There might be somebody in there. The lights are on.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11'No-one's answering the 247 Jet door.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14'Lawrence has already located their prize asset
0:30:14 > 0:30:16'and isn't in the mood for waiting.
0:30:16 > 0:30:21'They head to the plane, locksmith in tow, but will they need him?'
0:30:21 > 0:30:27- Oh, it's open! - That's a good locksmith, that is!
0:30:27 > 0:30:29Cor! It's a bit cramped in here!
0:30:29 > 0:30:32- Not very big, are they?- It's tiny!
0:30:34 > 0:30:38'Lawrence isn't on board just to check out the executive facilities.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41'He's looking to take possession of the plane's log book.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45'Without it, it's illegal for this jet to leave the ground.'
0:30:45 > 0:30:46A-ha-ha!
0:30:46 > 0:30:51'And there it is! Lawrence has found exactly what he was looking for.'
0:30:51 > 0:30:53All the documentation in here.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57Certificate of registration, which we have to leave in here.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01The Air Worthiness review certificate, the noise certificate,
0:31:01 > 0:31:04Air Operation certificate.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07It's worthless, it's scrap value without these.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09'With these in the sheriffs' hands,
0:31:09 > 0:31:12'this plane just had its wings clipped.'
0:31:12 > 0:31:14Just need some tape.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17'Without further ado, this plane is seized.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21'It's now the property of the court on paper, and can't be moved,
0:31:21 > 0:31:23'let alone flown by its owner.'
0:31:23 > 0:31:29- Kev, do you want to have a drive over to security to see if he can get the guy on the phone?- Yeah.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31Encourage him to come down here.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34'Kev sets off to get the man's number from security.
0:31:34 > 0:31:40'It's time to let him know - unless he pays the £3,200 debt today,
0:31:40 > 0:31:45'his several hundred thousand pound plane could be leaving with the sheriffs.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49'When Kev returns with his number, Lawrence wastes no time
0:31:49 > 0:31:52'in getting him on the phone to let him know what's what.'
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Morning, sir. I'm an Enforcement Officer.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57I'm at your hangar at Southend Airport.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00I have actually seized one of your aircraft.
0:32:00 > 0:32:05I've removed the appropriate documentation from the cockpit
0:32:05 > 0:32:09and placed the appropriate notices within the cabin.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11I need somebody to come down and sort this out.
0:32:11 > 0:32:16So if you can come down, sir, before we end up removing the plane.
0:32:16 > 0:32:17Thank you. Bye.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21'The boss of 247 Jet calls Lawrence back.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25'Unsurprisingly, he's got a few questions of his own.'
0:32:25 > 0:32:29Who let us on the airport? We drove through security, sir.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32Nobody can stop us entering the airport.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34We're executing a High Court writ.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37We have the power to force entry onto commercial premises,
0:32:37 > 0:32:39but we didn't need to force entry.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42I showed my identification to the security guard and he let us in.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46We've got a locksmith with us to affect entry into the hangar.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50For the moment, we've seized one of your planes outside.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53We've removed the documentation from it.
0:32:53 > 0:32:57We need somebody to pay it in full, sir, and we can release our seizure.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00It will be going up by £225 plus VAT per hour that we're here,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03because we've got the locksmith.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07Bearing in mind you've got hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of planes,
0:33:07 > 0:33:10to say you can't get £3,000 together when you've had months of notice
0:33:10 > 0:33:12is just not acceptable.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16'Lawrence's tough stance seems to have had an effect.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19'The man agrees to pay by bank transfer.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23'Given his track record, this still isn't good enough for Lawrence.'
0:33:23 > 0:33:26I'm not able to check the bank account at this time in the morning.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30There's nobody in the office to check it. Are you far away, sir?
0:33:30 > 0:33:35We've got a debit card machine and you could pay by debit card.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37OK, then, sir.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42- I believe he's going to come with a debit card.- Where did he say he was?
0:33:42 > 0:33:44I asked if he was very far away and he said yes.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46- He's changed his mind now?- Yeah.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48'Soon after, the boss arrives.
0:33:48 > 0:33:53'He's not happy about his plane and even less pleased about our camera.'
0:33:53 > 0:33:56- Hi, there.- You can't film me.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01'Not wanting to get in the way of the sheriffs' work, we withdraw,
0:34:01 > 0:34:03'as the man speaks to them.
0:34:03 > 0:34:08'He offers to make a down payment, but only half the amount Lawrence is looking for,
0:34:08 > 0:34:14'and he won't give the plane back unless he gets all the money the ex-customer is owed.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17'In the face of Lawrence's pressure, 247 Jet's boss
0:34:17 > 0:34:20'realises the hopelessness of the situation.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24'Faced with losing a jet worth hundreds of thousands of pounds
0:34:24 > 0:34:29'for a £3,000 debt, he relents and agrees to pay on a debit card -
0:34:29 > 0:34:31'in full.'
0:34:31 > 0:34:36He did try and offer a part payment of £1,700,
0:34:36 > 0:34:40but not when you've got £100,000 worth of plane seized.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43You know, he realised that the game was up, basically.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47We were advised that it was due to fly to Marrakech tomorrow,
0:34:47 > 0:34:49so he'd have had disappointed customers
0:34:49 > 0:34:52if they weren't able to take off.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54So, yeah, good start to the day.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07'Being a High Court sheriff is far from a 9-5 job.
0:35:07 > 0:35:12'This morning, Lawrence and Kev have already been up three hours
0:35:12 > 0:35:15'and have driven 130 miles through the dark.'
0:35:15 > 0:35:19It's half past six and we're just coming up towards Loughborough.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21We're going to a residential address.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25We've also got a business address but given the time of day,
0:35:25 > 0:35:28we're going to the residential address.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31'The sheriffs are trying to help an 86-year-old lady,
0:35:31 > 0:35:33'who wishes to remain anonymous.
0:35:33 > 0:35:38'She loaned some of her savings to her dentist, John Hammond,
0:35:38 > 0:35:40'to invest in a business.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44'Despite repeated requests, this money was never returned
0:35:44 > 0:35:46'and she was forced to take him to court.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49'When Mr Hammond failed to contest the case,
0:35:49 > 0:35:55'a judge ordered him to pay her £8,695 and five pence.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58'But the dentist has still failed to pay.
0:35:58 > 0:36:03'It's now down to Lawrence and Kev to remind him - in person.'
0:36:03 > 0:36:06- I would imagine, being a dentist, he'll have money.- Yeah.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09He's in a named house, not a numbered house,
0:36:09 > 0:36:12so I would imagine he's got quite a nice house.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15Potentially, quite a nice car.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18And we'll be catching him before he goes to work.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22'The sheriffs are going to the dentist's village home first,
0:36:22 > 0:36:26'as their High Court writ is against him, personally, not his business.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28'But finding it could prove tricky.'
0:36:28 > 0:36:32- Got to find the named house first. - Yeah.- That's always fun.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35I've got batteries in me torch!
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Country lane, named house - brilliant(!)
0:36:38 > 0:36:40It HAS got a number on it.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44- Why did I think it didn't have a number?- Got it.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48'Mr Hammond's house proves pleasingly straightforward to spot.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52'And with vehicles on the drive, this is looking promising.'
0:36:52 > 0:36:56That's them blocked and it's not blocked the neighbours.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59'With the cars secured, it's time for a wake-up call.
0:37:01 > 0:37:06'Can they get the elderly lady who lost her savings what she's owed?'
0:37:10 > 0:37:15- Morning, sir. We're looking for a John Edward Hammond. Would that be yourself?- Yes.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17I'll show you some ID, sir.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21I'm an Enforcement Officer and we're ordered here by the court today
0:37:21 > 0:37:26to seize goods to the value of £10,706.66p.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30'It's the man they've come to see, John Hammond.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33'Straight away, he admits he's aware of the debt,
0:37:33 > 0:37:37'and with interest, VAT and fees, the bill has gone up.
0:37:37 > 0:37:42'Lawrence wastes no time outlining the payment methods he'll accept.'
0:37:42 > 0:37:47- We don't take cheques, sir. We've got a chip and PIN machine for a card payment.- Er...
0:37:47 > 0:37:49If you've got a cheque, you can do a card, can't you?
0:37:49 > 0:37:52'The dentist still seems to be half asleep.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56'He wants to know why the sheriffs have come so early.'
0:37:56 > 0:38:00We've come at this time of day to catch you in before you go to work.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04That's the purpose. We don't come at seven to inconvenience you.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06We come to catch you in before you go out.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10If you've got internet banking, you can do a transfer into our bank account.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14We can't leave here until it's sorted out.
0:38:14 > 0:38:19'At this point, our cameraman is asked to leave the property.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21'We continue filming from the pavement,
0:38:21 > 0:38:25'as Lawrence gets on with seizing the cars on Mr Hammond's driveway.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28'If necessary, these can now be towed away and sold
0:38:28 > 0:38:32'to help pay his debt to the elderly patient he borrowed money from.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37'Lawrence makes sure he understands the situation.'
0:38:37 > 0:38:40The problem is, we're not ordered out to collect money.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44We're ordered out to seize goods to clear the debt, instead.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48'Lawrence's tough stance has an immediate effect.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52'John Hammond says his son can pay the debt by bank transfer.'
0:38:52 > 0:38:57If you can do us a screen grab, like a print-off of the screen.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01'But there's a snag. His son lives in Switzerland.'
0:39:02 > 0:39:07From abroad, I don't think there's any way we can verify.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11'Mr Hammond then says his son can pay with his Swiss credit card.'
0:39:11 > 0:39:16We don't take credit cards over the phone. It's got to be chip and PIN into a machine.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20'Mr Hammond needs to come up with another way of paying the woman's money,
0:39:20 > 0:39:24'or Lawrence may have no choice but to call the tow trucks.
0:39:24 > 0:39:30'Then, with dawn breaking, another of the dentist's sons arrives at the house.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34'He's got a more straightforward solution for how to get rid of Lawrence and Kev.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38'He offers to pay £6,000 on a credit card there and then,
0:39:38 > 0:39:42'with his brother in Switzerland paying the rest by bank transfer
0:39:42 > 0:39:45'to settle the elderly lady's debt.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48'This sounds like a good deal for Lawrence,
0:39:48 > 0:39:51'who wastes no time putting this transaction through.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53'But there's now a new problem.'
0:39:53 > 0:39:58- So, 6,000 on this one. - Finding signal, yeah. Right.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Still struggling.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02BEEP It's done it again.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05'Their trusty chip and PIN machine isn't working.'
0:40:05 > 0:40:08Is there somewhere we can drive to to get a signal?
0:40:08 > 0:40:11'Needing a mobile phone signal for the card machine,
0:40:11 > 0:40:15'they try a change of location, but that doesn't do the trick, either.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18'After an unsuccessful drive round the block,
0:40:18 > 0:40:22'Lawrence realises the problem isn't the machine, but something else.'
0:40:22 > 0:40:26I don't think it's a phone problem, you know, a SIM problem.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28It seems to have full signal,
0:40:28 > 0:40:32so it must be something to do with the card processing centre.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36'Lawrence and Kev have to admit that technology has let them down
0:40:36 > 0:40:40'and the son's credit card payment isn't going to work this morning.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43'But with the dentist's vehicles seized,
0:40:43 > 0:40:47'they're still in a strong position to get the elderly lady the money she's owed.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50'Time to strike a deal.'
0:40:50 > 0:40:52If your son does the 6,000,
0:40:52 > 0:40:56because it's an international transfer
0:40:56 > 0:41:01we'll allow a week, OK?
0:41:02 > 0:41:05I need you to sign and print on that form.
0:41:05 > 0:41:10Providing that money comes in, you won't ever see us.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12Thank you. Bye bye.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17'It's a mixed outcome for Lawrence and Kev.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20'They've seized goods on paper as leverage
0:41:20 > 0:41:23'and secured a concrete promise to pay from the dentist.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26'But no sheriff likes to leave without the money they came for.'
0:41:26 > 0:41:28That was a complete pain.
0:41:28 > 0:41:33They were willing to pay on that one and we didn't have much choice.
0:41:33 > 0:41:38You know, if you can't get a signal, if technology just isn't working...
0:41:40 > 0:41:43Technology's a great thing, but when it mucks up,
0:41:43 > 0:41:44you're probably worse off
0:41:44 > 0:41:48than you'd be if you didn't have it in the first place,
0:41:48 > 0:41:50cos everybody's so geared-up to it.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54I've no reason to believe that the money won't be transferred as agreed.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57'And Lawrence's prediction was proved right.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00'It seemed their visit had the desired effect.
0:42:00 > 0:42:07'Days later, Mr Hammond finally paid back the full amount he owed to the elderly patient.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09'For the sheriffs, it's what they like best -
0:42:09 > 0:42:12'another "payment in full".
0:42:12 > 0:42:17'Mr Hammond told us that the money was loaned to him as part of a business investment and...
0:42:29 > 0:42:33'..and suddenly being asked for the full return of the loan,
0:42:33 > 0:42:35'which was difficult to do at short notice.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37'Mr Hammond said...
0:42:43 > 0:42:48'He reiterated that the debt has now been paid in full.'
0:42:53 > 0:42:56Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd