Episode 1 The Sheriffs Are Coming


Episode 1

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Transcript


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-Meet the sheriffs.

-Let's introduce ourselves.

-Got an High Court writ.

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If it's not paid, we'll be removing the stock.

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-Their job is to get you your money back.

-It's about to get physical.

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It's an arrestable offence to stop me doing my job.

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

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-We need to deal with it now.

-We're going to remove vehicles.

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If you're acting on his authority, pay it.

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..if you've been to court, but still not been paid what you're owed...

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Are you going to open this building, or am I going to force entry into it?

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-You need to pay this.

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

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Don't put your hands on me.

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I'm going to call a locksmith, effect entry and remove all the items.

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Whoa, whoa, whoa.

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They're enforcement agents of the High Court,

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and the law says they're on your side.

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Just collected 42 grand.

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Coming up...

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..when Charandeep Sandhu arranged to have his spectacular wedding filmed,

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he never dreamt it would take 18 months

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to see the disappointing results.

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My wife broke down in tears.

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Sheriffs Lawrence and Kev have to get tough

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when they attempt to get Charandeep his money back.

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Are you going to pay in full, sir?

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Right, I'll get the crowbar out of my van.

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In London, the sheriffs are evicting squatters

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from a barricaded building.

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I've got a writ of possession for the property

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and you're getting evicted this morning.

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But as tensions rise, can the eviction be completed peacefully?

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Got a legal document to evict you.

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And electrician John Marsh wasn't paid for work he carried out

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for a loft conversions company.

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You know, you may as well just open your wallet

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and throw your money on the floor.

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But when sheriff Pete Spencer goes in to collect the debt...

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things turn nasty.

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-Let go of the camera, mate.

-Let go of the camera one second.

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Just let go.

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While much of Britain sleeps,

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enforcement agents Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally

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are already out on a case that centres around a wedding video.

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Just coming up to 6.20am.

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Just coming into Harrow, on our way to a residential address.

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We are actually looking for a company,

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Adreamwedding.Co.Uk Limited.

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They're wedding photographers.

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We're looking today for goods to the value of £3,705.57.

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They're on their way to bring a happy day to a very unhappy couple.

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This is Charandeep Sandhu.

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Three years ago, he was getting married to Amarjeet.

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As with anyone's wedding,

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it was to be one of the most important days of his life.

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And as a Sikh, it was to be a week-long extravaganza.

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Our wedding ceremonies, they go on for almost a week or so.

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It's just full of fun.

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It is one of the most special days of our lives, really,

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and especially for Amarjeet, I know,

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she had been looking forward to this day for such a long time.

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And wanting to remember their perfect day for ever,

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they arranged to have it filmed

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by specialist wedding videographers Adreamwedding.Co.Uk Limited,

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not to be confused with any other company of a similar name.

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It was run by Mr Pankaj Jethwa.

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We chose Adreamwedding simply because they had recorded a video

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of one of our family members, my sister-in-law,

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and the video was actually good.

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You don't mind paying a little bit extra

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if you get a good quality at the end of it.

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Having paid Adreamwedding.Co.Uk Limited £3,000 up front,

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with a further £1,000 to come on receipt of the edited video,

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Charandeep and Amarjeet got married.

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The day was all they'd hoped for, but problems started soon after.

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They asked for their video, but received nothing.

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Eventually, after a full year and a half of waiting,

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Adreamwedding.Co.Uk Limited sent them a DVD of their special day.

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My wife's reaction was, basically, she broke down in tears.

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When I was looking at the video,

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I realised that there's some problems there.

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Most importantly,

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some key moments of the wedding never made it onto the video.

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See, at this point now,

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there was all my family dancing in front of the car,

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there was the drummers there,

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and this is the first part

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where the groom's family meets the bride's family officially.

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But, disappointingly,

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this was one of the scenes that wasn't on the DVD.

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They also spotted some technical problems.

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When you watch it on the TV,

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you cannot have it on a constant volume,

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because, suddenly, the sound will drop

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and then, suddenly, the sound will go up.

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Of course, the missing scenes could never be recaptured,

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but the family listed changes that needed to be made to the video

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and informed Adreamwedding.Co.Uk Limited.

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Mr Jethwa agreed to make the adjustments.

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Seven months later,

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they contacted Charandeep to say the work was finished.

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He could have the DVD on payment of the outstanding £1,000.

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Charandeep insisted on a second viewing.

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But the bulk of the changes hadn't been made.

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We tried to work out a way that we can actually get the job done

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and, obviously, you wouldn't want to pay the full amount

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for something that you're not happy with.

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Adreamwedding.Co.Uk Limited e-mailed Charandeep,

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saying he would be charged £100 per week

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for every week he hadn't paid the outstanding £1,000.

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Charandeep and his solicitors

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attempted to contact the company a number of times,

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trying to negotiate a workable deal, but Mr Jethwa wouldn't respond.

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Charandeep felt he had no option but to take the company to court.

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Mr Jethwa contested the case,

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but a judge agreed with Charandeep and awarded in his favour.

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The company was ordered to refund £2,500

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and send them the finished project within 21 days.

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But since that date, Charandeep's not had the money or the video.

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Their company is called Adreamwedding.

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I'll be honest with you, they need to rename that

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to A Nightmare Wedding, because that's what they've left us with.

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It's been a three-year nightmare.

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Charandeep and Amarjeet's only hope of seeing their money

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or their wedding DVD now rests with the sheriffs.

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As they approach Adreamwedding.Co.Uk Limited,

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Lawrence shows his soft side.

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You've got to have a certain amount of sympathy for the claimant.

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It's likely to be the most expensive day of anybody's life, really,

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unless you get divorced.

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You can't relive the day.

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It's there and then, and it's got to be captured.

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Lawrence and Kev have been told that, although this is a house,

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it's where the video company is based

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and there's a studio in the garage.

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So, while Lawrence tries the door, Kev goes round the back.

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But the owner of Adreamwedding.Co.Uk Limited

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is still in the land of dreams.

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Morning, sir. I'm looking for Adreamwedding.Co.Uk Limited.

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Mr Jethwa, is it?

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No, it's Mr...

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-Sorry?

-You can't come in.

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-I'm trying to show you some ID.

-Give me a minute.

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Give me a minute. Give me a minute.

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Mr Pankaj Jethwa is the boss of Adreamwedding.Co.Uk Limited,

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and with our camera present, he wants to talk from behind the door.

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No, sir, I'm quite within my rights to stand in the porch.

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Are you going to open the door and speak to me and deal with this?

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Right, my name's Mr Grix, I'm here to execute a High Court writ

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against Adreamwedding.Co.Uk Limited,

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and I'm here today to take goods to the value of £3,705.57.

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The only way to prevent further action is to pay in full.

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Are you going to pay in full, sir? Are you going to pay in full?

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Right, well, I'm going to be forcing entry

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into your photographic studio at the back of the house, then, sir.

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OK? I'll get the crowbar out of my van.

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The sheriffs aren't interested in getting into Mr Jethwa's house,

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but they are interested in his studio at the back.

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As it's a commercial premises,

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they have the right to force entry into it if necessary.

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They assess the options.

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We will effect entry into your photographic studio

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and remove everything if you don't pay.

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Who does it belong to, then?

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-It belongs to your wife?

-Yeah.

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This needs paying, otherwise we're going in the studio.

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Have you got the key to it?

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Are you going to open it, or am I going to force entry into it?

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I'll give you a few minutes, but all I'm going to be entertaining

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is you paying or you opening this building,

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or I will be effecting entry into it, OK?

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Lawrence tries to deliver the paperwork.

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No, I just want to give you that, because it's got the amount on it.

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-Just give me...

-It's got the amount you need to pay and how to pay it.

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I know, but I need a few minutes.

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It doesn't make any difference to you to take it.

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-Why don't you take it?

-It's not serving you with anything.

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It's for your information.

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-We're not going to wait outside.

-We're not waiting outside.

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You need to concentrate on how you're going to get this money together.

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Mr Jethwa suggests Lawrence posts him the notice.

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KNOCK ON DOOR

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There's no letter box, sir.

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How do you expect me to post it through the door?

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Yeah.

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Well, I'm standing in the letter box, then, aren't I?

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You need to just take the paper from me, sir.

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All right, I've left it on the windowsill.

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Mr Jethwa asks for time to get dressed.

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OK, you get dressed, then, sir.

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OK.

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He's saying he can't pay.

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I said, "Is there anybody to help... who can help you with it?"

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That's what we're trying to do now. He's just...

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He's very reluctant to let me into that building, for some reason,

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but we will be going in there.

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Our camera is asked to leave the property.

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With time passing, if Mr Jethwa won't pay,

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the only way Lawrence and Kev will get Charandeep the money he's owed

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is by forcing entry and removing goods from the photographic studio.

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Kev looks for the crowbar.

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A-ha!

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-I'm dressed up, I can talk to you.

-Last chance, sir.

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Are you going to open it,

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or am I going to get it open with the crowbar?

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It's commercial premises. It's a limited company.

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It has no protection.

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It's a detached building, it's not attached to your residence.

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It can be forced entry.

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Are you going to open it?

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-I'm not going to open it until...

-Right.

-Wait.

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-Don't be...

-Are you going to open that building?

-Yes.

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-Right, go and do it, then.

-Not now.

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Right... I'll rephrase my question. Are you going to open it now?

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-No.

-Right, then we're going to force entry into it.

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Mr Jethwa continues to argue about opening the studio.

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-Lawrence has had enough.

-Go on, Kev, just do it, mate.

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With the studio crowbarred open, Mr Jethwa lets the camera back in.

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Told you what I was going to do.

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Inside, there are plenty of goods to list

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with a view to remove and auction if necessary.

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It includes several computers and some video equipment.

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Make yourselves comfortable, I guess that's all I can say,

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is show you a bit of hospitality.

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But, despite appearances, the forced entry seems to have had an effect.

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Inside the house, the owner's son has paid the debt by bank transfer.

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So, if you can just sign there and print there.

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Mr Jethwa has a parting shot.

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I'm going to let every videographer

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know not to do business with these guys, you know.

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Charandeep and Amarjeet's family

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is unlikely to do business with Adreamwedding.Co.Uk Limited again.

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But now, thanks to the sheriffs,

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they have the money they were owed by the company,

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who took over three years

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and still failed to deliver a satisfactory video.

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Obviously, us forcing entry and getting our hands on it

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actually forced them to make the payment.

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After we filmed, Mr Jethwa asked to put his side of the story.

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He explained the scene Charandeep said was missing

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was because the cameraman stayed filming the groom

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rather than filming the procession.

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There was also a complaint about sound quality.

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The piece of distortion in the sound could be removed.

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If you remove it and just leave the rest of the dancing,

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it would be fine.

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I'm really angry, really upset about this,

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because they never communicated with me.

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They never wrote to me.

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There is absolutely no document that I have received from them saying,

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"Pankaj, we are unhappy.

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"Adreamwedding, can you sort this out?"

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If they had complained at that stage,

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we would have addressed to it immediately.

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Not all the writs enforced by the sheriffs

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involve getting money out of people.

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Sometimes, they turn their skills to enforcing judgments

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which concern getting people out of buildings.

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Like in Greenwich, South London, today,

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where a commercial building has been occupied by squatters.

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It's part of a growing problem.

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Since squatting in residential properties was criminalised,

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a wider range of commercial buildings is being occupied,

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like this one.

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This morning, the sheriffs face a real challenge.

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The building has been barricaded.

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Leading the eviction is enforcement agent Conrad Van Zyl.

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We don't know how many occupants are inside. We've got a locksmith.

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With a High Court writ, we've got the power to force entry

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and obtain possession back to the client.

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The landlord wants to redevelop this one-time photographic studio,

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but this is the second time

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squatters have occupied the building.

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It has several entrances, all with high security doors.

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We're just assessing around the building

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and as soon as we find a suitable place, we'll attempt to go inside.

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The landlord supplied a locksmith,

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but the sheriffs are going to try and charm their way in first.

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Hello? Hello?

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KNOCKING ON DOOR

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Anybody inside?

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There's no response from inside the building.

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The landlord's locksmith will now try to force entry.

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The new approach gets some attention.

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Got a High Court writ of possession for the property.

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-You're being evicted.

-Excuse me, what are you doing?

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We've got a writ of possession. You're getting evicted this morning.

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Yeah, but nobody gave us papers or anything.

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I've got a legal document that gives me the power

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to obtain possession of this property.

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Better start packing your belongings.

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Defeated by the jammed lock,

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the locksmith is going to try the second door.

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Meanwhile, some of the squatters have come down into the alleyway.

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-I've got a writ of possession for the property.

-Let me see.

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-You can have a look at it.

-Can you not film me, please?

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While Conrad talks to the squatters,

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the locksmith attempts the second door.

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I'm showing it to you. Once inside, I'll show you.

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-Put the camera away.

-This time, the outer door opens.

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At the minute, they've barricaded the property from the inside.

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There's a couple of them on the side of the building,

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and we now attempt a negotiation process

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to see whether they want to open or not.

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At the alleyway fence,

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the squatters are claiming they should have seen paperwork.

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But the sheriffs know that a live High Court writ is all they need.

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Say again.

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No, that's not how it works, mate. That's not how it works.

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It's not how it works.

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It's not how it works.

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There's no point shouting from up there.

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Come on down, I'll show you it.

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I haven't got massive arms to give it up to you.

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Come on down and I'll show you it.

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The roller shutter has been jammed from the inside and won't open.

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It can't be saved.

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We'll just cut it with a grinder, just go through it.

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Meanwhile, the police have arrived, called by the squatters.

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I'll tell you what it is.

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-There's my badge.

-Yep, lovely.

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That's the writ from the High Court

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-that gives us the power to enter the property this morning.

-Right.

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The locksmith is still unable to get into the building,

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but the squatters have got out.

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We're here to take them out.

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Let's talk, yeah? No, no, no, listen.

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I am going to explain it to you, yeah?

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Stop talking over the top of me.

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I've already explained to your colleague. Listen.

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This is a High Court writ of possession for this property.

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You're in a commercial building, you're squatting, OK?

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Right, writ number 66. Claimant, the person that owns the property.

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Defendant, persons unknown - ie, you and your colleagues, right?

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Bit about the Queen, bit about the authorised officer.

0:18:090:18:12

Tells you a bit more what I'm commanded to do,

0:18:120:18:14

which means I've got to cause the claimant

0:18:140:18:16

to have possession of this property which you're in.

0:18:160:18:18

What else would you like to know?

0:18:180:18:20

They are still arguing about the legality of the eviction.

0:18:200:18:23

There's no talking to be had with a lawyer. You've been evicted.

0:18:230:18:27

No, listen, listen... No, listen.

0:18:270:18:31

OK... Excuse me, you keep telling me you're still in a democracy, yeah?

0:18:310:18:35

This gives me the power to remove you.

0:18:350:18:37

You're unlawfully in this property. Simple. OK?

0:18:370:18:40

I've showed you it two or three times, I've told you who I am,

0:18:400:18:43

I've explained this to you.

0:18:430:18:45

We keep going round in circles.

0:18:450:18:46

What you need to do is start packing your belongings.

0:18:460:18:49

And explain to me in great detail, what's old about it?

0:18:490:18:52

That's the date last year. You've put a new stamp on it.

0:18:520:18:55

-You've probably been evicted by the County Court bailiff.

-Yeah.

0:18:550:18:58

-Which is a different process than High Court.

-Mm-hm.

0:18:580:19:01

County Court bailiff will tell you when he's coming

0:19:010:19:03

and they'll turn up at a date and time.

0:19:030:19:05

-I don't.

-Yeah.

-That's how it is.

-The paperwork...

0:19:050:19:10

The locksmith has gone back to the first door.

0:19:100:19:12

One of the landlords has arrived.

0:19:200:19:21

We can't waste longer to attempt to go in.

0:19:230:19:25

Is there anyway we can smash this and get inside?

0:19:250:19:29

Although the police were called by the squatters,

0:19:290:19:31

the law is on the side of the sheriffs,

0:19:310:19:33

so now they're going to assist with the eviction.

0:19:330:19:36

The locksmith ramps up his efforts.

0:19:400:19:43

But as the door continues to give the locksmith trouble...

0:19:520:19:55

..one of the landlord's colleagues arrives

0:20:000:20:02

with something that should help.

0:20:020:20:04

He has the keys.

0:20:040:20:05

This one? I think this is for the front one.

0:20:050:20:08

Do you want to see if you can open that front one, please? Thanks.

0:20:080:20:12

-So, we're in.

-We've managed to open the first door,

0:20:140:20:16

and now we're going through the shutter door.

0:20:160:20:18

It's a joke, isn't it?!

0:20:180:20:21

The shutter doors are still jammed from the inside

0:20:210:20:24

and the police are talking to the occupants.

0:20:240:20:27

When we return, we'll see what happens

0:20:270:20:30

when the sheriffs get inside.

0:20:300:20:32

Got a legal document to evict you.

0:20:330:20:35

Being a sheriff often involves a little detective work.

0:20:450:20:48

Debtors can be hard to track down. Sometimes they try to evade payment.

0:20:480:20:52

Sometimes they just move.

0:20:520:20:54

Sheriff Pete Spencer has been trying to track down

0:20:560:20:59

Innerspace Loft Conversions Limited for a while,

0:20:590:21:03

not to be confused with any other company of a similar name.

0:21:030:21:07

They owe money to an electrician who did work for them, but wasn't paid.

0:21:070:21:11

But they've proved hard to find.

0:21:110:21:14

I've been to three or four other addresses for this company already,

0:21:140:21:18

so this will be the fourth address that we're attending for them.

0:21:180:21:22

The man Pete is on his way to help is John Marsh from Preston.

0:21:220:21:26

John's been an electrician for 13 years

0:21:260:21:29

and has been running his own electrical business since 2004.

0:21:290:21:33

I set this business up from scratch on my own and made my own contacts.

0:21:330:21:37

All my work comes from word of mouth.

0:21:370:21:40

Recommendations from other people

0:21:400:21:43

is how I've managed to build a strong business.

0:21:430:21:46

It was John's desire to grow his company

0:21:470:21:50

that led him to start working for Andrew Bond,

0:21:500:21:53

the director of Innerspace Loft Conversions Limited.

0:21:530:21:56

They met through a mutual friend, when Mr Bond needed an electrician

0:21:570:22:02

to wire the loft conversions he was doing.

0:22:020:22:05

What I found was, with Andy, he had a lot of business,

0:22:050:22:08

we were in and out of a lot of different people's houses.

0:22:080:22:11

You know, for me it was like a win-win situation.

0:22:110:22:14

It was more work, leading to more work.

0:22:140:22:16

It all started as John hoped, but it wasn't long

0:22:180:22:21

before cracks started to appear in the business relationship,

0:22:210:22:25

and always for the same reason, according to John.

0:22:250:22:29

So, we started having problems with Andy when he...

0:22:290:22:32

when he stopped paying on a regular basis.

0:22:320:22:35

John would invoice Innerspace for each completed job,

0:22:370:22:41

but John says he started to receive just part payments.

0:22:410:22:44

I'm asking for payment,

0:22:460:22:47

he's promising me that he's going to come up with money

0:22:470:22:50

when money gets released from other jobs.

0:22:500:22:52

He makes promises and then... and then doesn't follow through.

0:22:520:22:56

There's already a lot of money outstanding.

0:22:560:22:58

You're thinking, "Well, if I stop doing work for this guy,

0:22:580:23:02

"he's then...you know, there's a good chance

0:23:020:23:04

"that I may not get paid for what's outstanding."

0:23:040:23:06

John says he continued working for Innerspace,

0:23:060:23:09

hoping he would get paid as promised.

0:23:090:23:12

But as the months rolled on, nothing changed

0:23:120:23:15

before, finally, the situation became untenable.

0:23:150:23:19

And when we're talking about periods of, you know,

0:23:190:23:21

up to nine months without payment,

0:23:210:23:23

you don't want to start doing any more work for him,

0:23:230:23:25

because that means you've got to put your hand in your pocket

0:23:250:23:28

and you've got to pay out for more...

0:23:280:23:30

either materials, petrol, you know, diesel.

0:23:300:23:32

Whatever it is, you're having to pay out.

0:23:320:23:35

You may as well open your wallet and throw your money on the floor.

0:23:350:23:37

So, I had to turn round to Andy and say, "Enough is enough."

0:23:370:23:40

We got to around £5,600 and I was well out of my comfort zone.

0:23:400:23:45

Still having to pay business costs and suppliers,

0:23:450:23:49

and fearing the money would never materialise,

0:23:490:23:51

John refused to do any more work for Innerspace Loft Conversions Limited.

0:23:510:23:56

He decided to take legal action to get the money he was owed.

0:23:560:24:01

He wrote Mr Bond a letter, stating that Innerspace Loft Conversions

0:24:010:24:05

had a 14-day mediation period in which to pay the money owed

0:24:050:24:10

or face him in court.

0:24:100:24:12

I just wanted to make him listen, start taking me seriously,

0:24:120:24:15

because before that,

0:24:150:24:16

I didn't feel like he was paying any attention to what I was saying.

0:24:160:24:20

Although John says he did his best

0:24:200:24:22

to try to resolve the situation amicably,

0:24:220:24:26

Mr Bond refused to settle his debt, so the case went to court.

0:24:260:24:30

Mr Bond didn't contest the case

0:24:300:24:32

and a judgment was issued in John's favour.

0:24:320:24:35

Innerspace Loft Conversions Limited was ordered to pay him £5,600.

0:24:350:24:41

Despite this, John still hasn't been paid.

0:24:410:24:45

Will Pete Spencer be able to find Innerspace Loft Conversions Limited

0:24:460:24:51

and get John the money that he is lawfully owed?

0:24:510:24:54

This time, Pete's done a trace on the company,

0:24:540:24:57

and they've turned up in Leyland, Lancashire,

0:24:570:24:59

sharing premises with another unrelated company.

0:24:590:25:02

As Pete rolls up to the address, it looks promising.

0:25:070:25:10

We've got a vehicle parked outside

0:25:100:25:13

belonging to the company we're looking for.

0:25:130:25:15

Just go and have a look.

0:25:150:25:17

If Innerspace are here, they must be in an inner space.

0:25:190:25:22

-I'm looking for Innerspace.

-You're looking for me, mate.

0:25:220:25:25

How are you doing? You all right?

0:25:250:25:28

-I'm looking in the right place.

-Take it off, mate.

0:25:280:25:31

But before Pete gets any further, the man grabs the camera.

0:25:320:25:35

-Get it

-BLEEP

-off.

0:25:350:25:37

This is Mr Bond.

0:25:370:25:38

He tells our cameraman to leave and turns his attention to the sheriff.

0:25:380:25:43

He tells Pete to leave.

0:25:430:25:45

Despite the Innerspace-branded van outside

0:25:450:25:48

and his own Innerspace shirt,

0:25:480:25:50

Mr Bond tells Pete Innerspace Lofts is not here.

0:25:500:25:54

He says Innerspace has shut down, but Pete knows otherwise

0:25:550:25:59

and wants to hear about assets he could remove if necessary

0:25:590:26:02

to pay off the debt.

0:26:020:26:04

-You need to get that

-BLEEP

-off, mate.

0:26:040:26:06

Mr Bond discovers our cameraman is outside

0:26:060:26:09

and comes down to tell him to stop filming.

0:26:090:26:11

-Give me the

-BLEEP.

-One second.

0:26:110:26:13

He grabs the camera, breaking the viewfinder.

0:26:130:26:16

..of the camera. If not, I'm phoning the police.

0:26:160:26:18

-Phone the police, mate.

-You've just broken the camera.

0:26:180:26:21

Still holding the camera,

0:26:210:26:23

he asks for the memory card containing the pictures.

0:26:230:26:26

-Give me the memory card.

-Just let go of the camera.

0:26:260:26:28

-You're not making me look like a

-BLEEP.

-Just let go.

0:26:280:26:30

Then he drags the camera and cameraman back into the building.

0:26:300:26:34

Just give us one second. Let go. One second.

0:26:340:26:37

Once he has the cameraman inside,

0:26:370:26:39

he says he's not letting him or Pete Spencer out.

0:26:390:26:41

You're not going out of here with that.

0:26:410:26:43

Give me that memory card, mate.

0:26:430:26:45

-BLEEP,

-you're getting pulled out of here, mate.

0:26:450:26:47

-I

-BLEEP

-promise you, mate.

0:26:470:26:49

-You want to come in here with your

-BLEEP

-on.

0:26:490:26:52

Effectively held prisoner, Pete calls the police.

0:26:520:26:56

I'm at a premises in Leyland. RAISED VOICES IN BACKGROUND

0:26:560:27:00

I need police assistance.

0:27:000:27:01

I've got a BBC cameraman with me

0:27:010:27:03

who's having problems with the people on the premises

0:27:030:27:07

and they're refusing to let us leave.

0:27:070:27:09

You can hear in the background now,

0:27:090:27:11

they're refusing to let us leave the property.

0:27:110:27:13

Problem is, what you're doing is assault on the cameraman,

0:27:130:27:16

so that's why the police are going to have to come.

0:27:160:27:18

-You've touched him.

-I have touched him.

0:27:180:27:20

-I've not assaulted him.

-No, that is assault. Touching him is assault.

0:27:200:27:23

The police arrive in force.

0:27:260:27:28

Our cameraman is released,

0:27:290:27:31

but the police ask us to stop filming inside

0:27:310:27:33

while they sort out the situation.

0:27:330:27:35

The police were a very good response,

0:27:350:27:37

I mean, to be fair, when we did explain to him you can't kidnap us

0:27:370:27:40

and keep us imprisoned and I had no other choice but to call police.

0:27:400:27:44

Finally able to get on with his job,

0:27:460:27:48

Pete checks the status of the Innerspace van with the DVLA.

0:27:480:27:53

It's on finance.

0:27:530:27:54

This means it can't be removed,

0:27:540:27:56

as it doesn't belong to Innerspace Loft Conversions.

0:27:560:27:59

It's a disappointing end to what's been an eventful visit.

0:28:000:28:04

Unfortunately, there's no assets here,

0:28:040:28:06

there's no property inside belonging to that defendant.

0:28:060:28:09

He's just sharing a desk. So, that's where we're at today.

0:28:090:28:12

We've left paperwork,

0:28:120:28:13

and we're just en route to the police station now to do statements.

0:28:130:28:16

Since we filmed, Mr Bond appeared before Leyland Magistrates' Court,

0:28:180:28:22

where he admitted assaulting our cameraman and grabbing the camera.

0:28:220:28:26

He was given a 12-month conditional discharge.

0:28:260:28:29

For the moment, John Marsh still does not have the money

0:28:310:28:34

the law says is rightfully his.

0:28:340:28:37

On this occasion, unfortunately,

0:28:370:28:38

the sheriffs haven't been able to recover any money for me.

0:28:380:28:41

But I feel like it has given me a bit of closure

0:28:410:28:43

and I do hope the cameraman's all right.

0:28:430:28:46

Andrew Bond of Innerspace Loft Conversions told us his firm was...

0:28:460:28:50

He said he...

0:28:530:28:55

..by sending relevant documentation to the court.

0:28:570:28:59

..pointing out this was not proven in court.

0:29:020:29:05

..and blamed our cameraman

0:29:090:29:10

for antagonising it

0:29:100:29:12

by continuing to film from outside.

0:29:120:29:14

Back at the squat in Greenwich, it's crunch time.

0:29:200:29:24

The sheriffs and plainclothes police

0:29:240:29:25

have been explaining to the squatters

0:29:250:29:28

that they WILL be evicted today.

0:29:280:29:29

The squatters aren't cooperating

0:29:290:29:31

and, even though the landlord's locksmith

0:29:310:29:33

has failed to get through the barricaded doors,

0:29:330:29:35

the sheriffs WILL get in.

0:29:350:29:37

To be honest with you, Conrad,

0:29:370:29:38

I'm just going to smash it completely to smithereens.

0:29:380:29:41

Just smash it to bits.

0:29:410:29:43

Smash it on the lock side.

0:29:430:29:45

Just bash it.

0:29:450:29:46

That's it, that's it, that's it.

0:29:570:29:58

Right, let's move.

0:30:000:30:01

Nice work. Got a legal document to evict you.

0:30:060:30:09

-We're just packing our stuff.

-Now you're packing. Now you're packing.

0:30:090:30:12

Start packing up, please.

0:30:140:30:16

Is there anyone else asleep?

0:30:160:30:17

The majority of the squatters realise the game is up

0:30:170:30:20

and start packing their things.

0:30:200:30:22

You've got ten minutes to pack and leave.

0:30:220:30:24

The sheriff's job now is to get the occupants packed

0:30:240:30:28

and out as quickly as possible.

0:30:280:30:30

-When you pack up, just make sure you've got all your stuff.

-Yep.

0:30:300:30:33

Once you're outside, you won't be able to get back inside.

0:30:330:30:36

-Fair enough.

-No problem, thank you.

0:30:360:30:38

At this stage, they've been quite helpful

0:30:380:30:40

and they pack up their stuff

0:30:400:30:42

and they are most willing to leave the premises.

0:30:420:30:44

The squatters are cooperating, but they still believe in their case.

0:30:440:30:49

Rich people have lots of property and poor people have nothing.

0:30:490:30:51

-The very same...

-I believe the law is wrong.

0:30:510:30:53

I understand that you're saying, "This is the law

0:30:530:30:55

"and we have to leave and it belongs to this person," I understand.

0:30:550:30:58

-I'm not in a position to question...

-I know, because you follow the law.

0:30:580:31:01

I'm in a position to question it, because I've got a free mind.

0:31:010:31:05

-Come on, young man.

-Young lady.

-Young lady. Come on, young lady.

0:31:070:31:10

HE CHUCKLES

0:31:120:31:14

Although the mood is lifted, the landlord isn't as positive,

0:31:160:31:20

because he's been through it all before

0:31:200:31:22

with a previous group of squatters, evicted just a few months ago.

0:31:220:31:26

It's just a circle of...

0:31:260:31:29

debt, cost, time.

0:31:290:31:33

You know, once they take it over,

0:31:330:31:34

they apparently have the right to be here, use all your electric,

0:31:340:31:38

water, waste, whatever you need.

0:31:380:31:39

There's no relief from the councils on it, no cost put on them.

0:31:390:31:42

All on the owner again.

0:31:420:31:44

We don't want to be funny about the occupants inside,

0:31:440:31:46

but it's the state and the condition

0:31:460:31:48

that they're able to get these properties into

0:31:480:31:50

causes a lot of financial damage to the owners of these properties.

0:31:500:31:54

It's been quite a siege, but now the sheriffs are where they want to be.

0:31:550:32:00

We're inside. Now we're occupying the premises.

0:32:010:32:04

They're out and we're inside.

0:32:040:32:06

All evicted.

0:32:080:32:09

They're in front of the premises now, obviously waiting to go,

0:32:090:32:13

but we're happy, we're satisfied, and so is the landlord and the owner.

0:32:130:32:17

Enforcement agents, commonly known as sheriffs,

0:32:260:32:29

can go anywhere in England and Wales to enforce a High Court writ.

0:32:290:32:32

Got an High Court writ to attend here today.

0:32:340:32:36

I've been sent today with a High Court writ to clear the debt.

0:32:360:32:39

At commercial premises, sheriffs are permitted to force entry

0:32:400:32:43

to remove goods or return a building to its rightful owners.

0:32:430:32:48

I'm going to call the locksmith, then, sir,

0:32:480:32:50

effect entry into the premises and remove all the items.

0:32:500:32:53

Sheriffs have collected almost £200 million

0:32:530:32:56

of unpaid court judgments in the last three years.

0:32:560:33:00

That's what we want to see - that coming out of the van.

0:33:000:33:02

-All cleared up, paid in full.

-A High Court writ costs £60.

0:33:040:33:09

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

0:33:090:33:12

If they're unsuccessful,

0:33:120:33:14

the only cost is a compliance fee of £75 plus VAT for each enforcement.

0:33:140:33:20

He's done one! He ran upstairs and hid.

0:33:200:33:23

West Midlands-based enforcement agents Craig Wilde and Tom Coyle

0:33:320:33:36

are up bright and early today, heading to Wales.

0:33:360:33:40

I can do the weather for Wales wherever I am in the country,

0:33:410:33:43

I can let you know what it's going to be - wet.

0:33:430:33:47

Right, we're on our way to a job today. It's for an individual.

0:33:470:33:51

It's in Gwynedd for an amount of £4,498.48.

0:33:510:33:58

The case involves two farmers.

0:33:580:34:01

Farmer David Hughes rented land from another farmer

0:34:010:34:04

to graze his sheep on for about £2,000.

0:34:040:34:07

He also bought bales of hay and silage to feed his animals.

0:34:070:34:11

The total bill for rent and silage was just under £3,000,

0:34:110:34:15

but Mr Hughes has paid only 500.

0:34:150:34:18

Now the sheriffs are heading up Mr Hughes's farm track

0:34:230:34:26

to get all of the money owed.

0:34:260:34:28

A bit of Welsh lamb.

0:34:290:34:30

Craig and Tom's tactic of arriving early seems to have paid off.

0:34:320:34:37

Hello, Mr Hughes? We're from the sheriff's.

0:34:370:34:40

Can we have a word with you, please?

0:34:400:34:42

Hello, sir. All right.

0:34:430:34:46

Here today to execute a High Court writ.

0:34:470:34:50

Unfortunately for you.

0:34:500:34:51

The balance on the account is £4,498.48.

0:34:510:34:55

-What's that for?

-Do you know claimant at all?

-I know of him, yes.

0:34:550:35:00

Yeah. Unfortunately, he's taken you to court for the monies owed.

0:35:000:35:04

I don't know anything about this.

0:35:040:35:06

Despite Mr Hughes's excuses,

0:35:060:35:09

Craig is here to collect the money owed and he needs to be paid today.

0:35:090:35:13

-It has to be cleared funds.

-So, that's cash.

0:35:130:35:15

It's cash or it's a card payment.

0:35:150:35:18

Right, well, I don't... I've got...

0:35:180:35:21

At the end of the day...

0:35:210:35:23

This... This is nothing to do with sort of...

0:35:230:35:26

I don't know what it's about.

0:35:260:35:28

How am I going to pay something when I don't know something about it?

0:35:280:35:31

I would assume that the claimant had been in contact with you

0:35:310:35:33

with regards to payment.

0:35:330:35:35

I used to buy silage off him a couple of years ago.

0:35:350:35:38

Right. So it could be something to do with that.

0:35:380:35:40

-No, I paid him as I was getting it.

-Then I don't know.

0:35:400:35:43

All we do is get involved in the High Court writ, sir.

0:35:430:35:46

David Hughes didn't contest the case

0:35:460:35:48

and a judgment was issued against him.

0:35:480:35:51

Mr Hughes says he's received no paperwork about the case.

0:35:510:35:55

Because he wasn't paid,

0:35:550:35:56

the other farmer has now taken his claim to the High Court

0:35:560:35:59

and hope the sheriffs will be able to get him what he's owed.

0:35:590:36:03

So what do I do now, then?

0:36:030:36:04

Well, either we see the payment or the goods.

0:36:040:36:07

-What goods?

-Cars, household items.

-Well, the cars aren't mine.

0:36:070:36:12

Craig explains to Mr Hughes

0:36:130:36:15

that he will have to prove the vehicles belong to someone else

0:36:150:36:18

or they could be removed and sold.

0:36:180:36:21

-I'm acting under a court order.

-Right.

0:36:210:36:23

That court order compels me today to require the money from you in full.

0:36:230:36:27

Now, if you haven't got the money in full,

0:36:270:36:29

-I would take that on board.

-Yeah, yeah.

0:36:290:36:31

-But how much can you raise today?

-So how much do you want?

0:36:310:36:35

-4,498.

-Bloody hell! What's that for?

0:36:350:36:38

As again, Mr Hughes, I don't get party to that.

0:36:380:36:41

All I get is a defendant and a claimant.

0:36:410:36:44

Mr Hughes says he'll have to drive to the bank

0:36:440:36:47

to find out how much money he has.

0:36:470:36:49

-So how much do you want?

-Well, as much as you have, to be fair.

0:36:490:36:54

They normally talk about at least 50% of the liability.

0:36:540:36:56

I haven't got that much, I'll be honest with you.

0:36:560:36:58

-Well, how much have you got?

-Um...

0:36:580:37:01

I don't know. I'd have to speak to her.

0:37:010:37:04

-Well, if you want to have a quick chat with her first.

-Janice...

0:37:040:37:07

How much money can we pay these people?

0:37:090:37:12

It's something to do with silage.

0:37:120:37:15

Where are you going?

0:37:150:37:17

That's the end of the camera.

0:37:170:37:19

At this point, our camera is asked to wait outside

0:37:190:37:22

while Mr Hughes looks for funds.

0:37:220:37:24

Mr Hughes is trying a couple of debit cards

0:37:240:37:27

to see what he's got on them debit cards

0:37:270:37:29

to try and alleviate the situation with some payment today.

0:37:290:37:32

Craig and the farmer agree on a partial payment of £500 for today.

0:37:330:37:38

The sheriffs will list goods they could remove at a later date

0:37:380:37:41

to cover the rest if need be.

0:37:410:37:43

Thanks very much, sorry to disturb you. Thank you.

0:37:450:37:48

With the paperwork signed, Mr Hughes wants to put his side of the story.

0:37:480:37:53

I'm speechless.

0:37:530:37:54

When these chaps turned up, that was the first I knew of it.

0:37:540:37:57

There's been no postal deliveries of any kind here.

0:37:570:38:01

Mr Hughes tells us the dispute was about some silage he bought,

0:38:010:38:04

which he claims was rotten, so he refused to pay.

0:38:040:38:07

He shows us what he says is an example of the bad silage.

0:38:070:38:11

How are you supposed to feed that to your animals?

0:38:110:38:13

You cannot feed that to sheep.

0:38:130:38:15

You just cannot feed it, cos that would kill them.

0:38:150:38:18

So I've refused to pay for them.

0:38:180:38:20

Mr Hughes claims he received many bales of bad silage.

0:38:200:38:23

The other farmer says they left his yard in good condition.

0:38:230:38:26

But the silage made up less than a third of the debt,

0:38:280:38:31

which was mainly unpaid rent for fields Mr Hughes had used.

0:38:310:38:35

And since we filmed, the two farmers went back to court,

0:38:370:38:40

where they agreed a payment of the remaining £2,000 from Mr Hughes.

0:38:400:38:44

The matter is now closed.

0:38:440:38:46

It's early morning

0:39:030:39:04

and sheriffs Lawrence and Kev are in the van again, coming into Watford.

0:39:040:39:09

They're here to settle a debt with a local gym, Fitness4Less,

0:39:090:39:13

whose relationship with a personal trainer hasn't...worked out.

0:39:130:39:17

With a gym, you know, I would think you'd find sufficient assets there

0:39:170:39:20

to clear the debt, so we'll be looking for full payment.

0:39:200:39:23

The man they're on their way to help is Qamar Ahmed from Watford.

0:39:240:39:28

His personal fitness is everything to him

0:39:280:39:31

and working out is his passion.

0:39:310:39:33

But it's not just a hobby.

0:39:350:39:36

It's also his livelihood as a professional personal trainer.

0:39:360:39:40

Extend your arm for that jab.

0:39:410:39:43

After deciding to make personal training his career seven years ago,

0:39:430:39:47

Qamar took a job with a local gym, Sportz Academy.

0:39:470:39:51

It's the best job I've had. It was fantastic.

0:39:510:39:53

Keep your arm up.

0:39:540:39:56

But Sportz Academy ran into financial problems,

0:39:560:39:58

with wages paid only sporadically.

0:39:580:40:01

Let's go. Jab.

0:40:010:40:02

The company was taken over by a new firm, Fitness4Less.

0:40:020:40:06

They inherited the Sportz Academy wage bill

0:40:060:40:08

and Qamar and the other staff

0:40:080:40:10

hoped they'd finally get paid what they were owed.

0:40:100:40:12

Good. Let me hear two breaths. OK, let's go.

0:40:120:40:15

But at a meeting with staff,

0:40:150:40:16

the new owner had some hugely disappointing news.

0:40:160:40:19

Categorically said that they're not going to pay our wages

0:40:190:40:22

in front of the previous owner, who had, five minutes before,

0:40:220:40:25

just said that the new owners will pay us our backdated wages.

0:40:250:40:29

Qamar was owed just over £4,000 in unpaid wages,

0:40:300:40:34

so, together with the other disgruntled staff,

0:40:340:40:37

he agreed to help bring legal action to fight their case.

0:40:370:40:40

We had to take it through the courts, so we had to stick together.

0:40:410:40:44

We had to take this to the tribunal.

0:40:440:40:47

When the judge heard the case,

0:40:470:40:49

he ruled that when the business was sold,

0:40:490:40:51

the new owner should take on the responsibility

0:40:510:40:54

for the previous company's unpaid debts, included backdated wages.

0:40:540:40:59

It was vindication for Qamar.

0:40:590:41:01

Justice. Justice has been done. Absolutely. It was a great feeling.

0:41:010:41:06

But getting the money he was owed wasn't quite as simple as that.

0:41:060:41:10

Fitness4Less began to settle with Sportz Academy's former employees,

0:41:100:41:14

but a signed agreement for Qamar wasn't forthcoming.

0:41:140:41:18

So I was waiting and waiting and waiting,

0:41:180:41:20

and the money just did not come through.

0:41:200:41:22

The stress of the legal fight

0:41:240:41:25

and failure to pay him the money he was owed

0:41:250:41:28

took its toll on Qamar.

0:41:280:41:30

He was diagnosed with acute depression and signed off work.

0:41:300:41:33

That was the beginning of my dark path that I had to go down.

0:41:350:41:38

Without his unpaid wages,

0:41:400:41:42

Qamar's financial situation went from bad to worse.

0:41:420:41:45

Eventually, it cost him his home.

0:41:460:41:49

That's where I used to live.

0:41:490:41:50

As soon as I stop getting paid from Fitness4Less,

0:41:500:41:53

I was behind on mortgage payments.

0:41:530:41:55

It just became impossible to hold on to my property

0:41:550:41:58

and it was repossessed.

0:41:580:42:00

Finally, a few months after the tribunal hearings,

0:42:000:42:03

Qamar received a part payment from Fitness4Less.

0:42:030:42:07

He was promised the rest would follow, but it didn't,

0:42:070:42:11

so he went back to the employment tribunal.

0:42:110:42:13

Fitness4Less didn't attend the latest tribunal hearing

0:42:160:42:19

and a judgment was issued in Qamar's favour,

0:42:190:42:21

but despite this, Qamar still hasn't been paid.

0:42:210:42:25

So now it's up to Lawrence and Kev to get Qamar the money

0:42:260:42:30

and the closure he so desperately wants.

0:42:300:42:32

Back in Watford, Lawrence and Kev

0:42:370:42:39

have finally found a place to park up.

0:42:390:42:41

So we can't stop here, though.

0:42:410:42:43

With a deep-seated fear of traffic wardens,

0:42:440:42:47

Lawrence leaves Kev with the van.

0:42:470:42:49

This is going to be one writ he'll have to enforce alone.

0:42:490:42:53

Hello there. My name's Mr Grix.

0:42:540:42:57

I'm here to execute a High Court writ against Fitness4Less Watford Ltd.

0:42:570:43:01

It's £5,399.58.

0:43:010:43:04

Yeah. Qamar Ahmed.

0:43:070:43:10

-Give me two seconds, mate.

-OK.

0:43:100:43:11

While the manager gets on the phone to his superiors,

0:43:120:43:15

Lawrence gets to work making notes on equipment.

0:43:150:43:19

If need be, he could remove and auction the machinery

0:43:190:43:22

to pay off the debt.

0:43:220:43:23

Yeah. It can be prevented by full payment.

0:43:280:43:31

So, your manager, your director, whoever...

0:43:310:43:34

The manager runs off to call his boss again,

0:43:360:43:38

while Lawrence tries to work out which exercise machine is which.

0:43:380:43:42

Handily, it's all labelled up with what it is!

0:43:440:43:46

Moments later, having made some calls,

0:43:500:43:53

the manager's got a message for Lawrence.

0:43:530:43:55

Yeah. If he normally starts at ten and he's sorting out his private life

0:44:040:44:07

then that's, you know, that's entirely down to him.

0:44:070:44:11

Yeah, I think we're going to get paid in full.

0:44:120:44:15

It's looking promising, but Lawrence knows better

0:44:160:44:19

than to count his pennies until they're firmly in his hand.

0:44:190:44:22

Having agreed to wait, it seems he might not even need to.

0:44:240:44:28

The gym manager is back with good news.

0:44:280:44:31

Oh, right, and he's doing the transfer, is he?

0:44:320:44:35

All Lawrence needs to do

0:44:370:44:39

is wait to see that the funds have come through

0:44:390:44:42

and it's job done.

0:44:420:44:43

Can you just keep your eye on the bank account for me?

0:44:430:44:46

At this stage, we're asked to stop filming.

0:44:500:44:53

But no sooner are we outside than the promised money goes through.

0:44:540:44:58

It went all right in the end.

0:45:020:45:04

We were sort of hanging around for a while, but in the end,

0:45:040:45:07

I got the majority of it by bank transfer

0:45:070:45:09

and then the odd little bit by cash.

0:45:090:45:12

Let's get out of here.

0:45:130:45:15

And, most importantly, they can report back

0:45:150:45:17

that Qamar will finally receive the money that's due to him.

0:45:170:45:21

I'm very happy.

0:45:220:45:23

With that money, I'm going to set up my own personal training business,

0:45:230:45:26

and I'm going to make a difference in my life

0:45:260:45:29

and I'm going to make a difference in the lives of my clients as well.

0:45:290:45:32

Fitness4Less told us

0:45:350:45:37

that when they took over the Sportz Academy gym, they...

0:45:370:45:40

..and that legal advice they were given at the time

0:45:420:45:44

indicated they should not be responsible.

0:45:440:45:47

They believe they...

0:45:470:45:49

..including writing him a cheque for him to collect from them.

0:45:510:45:54

They said, however...

0:45:540:45:55

..and that he left them no forwarding contact details.

0:45:590:46:02

In the rural north-west of England, there's the prospect

0:46:120:46:15

of a day enforcing writs in the countryside

0:46:150:46:17

for Chris Pearson and Steve Hockborn

0:46:170:46:20

We're in Cumbria, on the way to Egremont.

0:46:200:46:23

This morning we are looking for a company,

0:46:230:46:25

Cumbria Roofing North West Ltd.

0:46:250:46:28

We're looking for £2,913.69.

0:46:280:46:31

Kathleen Horton paid Cumbria Roofing North West Ltd,

0:46:330:46:37

not to be confused with any other company of a similar name,

0:46:370:46:40

£3,000 to apply a special liquid plastic waterproof coating

0:46:400:46:45

to the stairs and balconies of her property

0:46:450:46:47

but she wasn't happy with the quality of the work.

0:46:470:46:49

The company eventually agreed to refund £1,800

0:46:510:46:55

but Kathleen never received the money.

0:46:550:46:58

She took the company to court, where they contested the case.

0:46:590:47:02

Mrs Horton won but the company didn't pay up.

0:47:020:47:05

Now she's taken her claim to the High Court

0:47:050:47:08

and Chris and Steve are on their way to enforce the writ

0:47:080:47:11

and get her money.

0:47:110:47:12

The company is located a few miles south of Whitehaven in Cumbria.

0:47:190:47:23

It's a bit grey but Chris wouldn't be anywhere else.

0:47:230:47:26

It's one of the most beautiful places in the UK, as far as I'm concerned.

0:47:260:47:30

The weather's not the best.

0:47:300:47:32

The summer is very similar to the winter.

0:47:320:47:34

Chris and Steve soon find Cumbria Roofing North West Ltd

0:47:360:47:39

on an industrial estate.

0:47:390:47:40

It looks like there's somebody in.

0:47:460:47:47

-Is there another entrance?

-I'll look.

0:47:470:47:49

What do you think?

0:47:540:47:56

Hello?

0:47:560:47:57

There's something on in there.

0:48:000:48:02

-There's a phone number.

-Yeah.

0:48:020:48:04

We'll give them a ring and see if we can get somebody here, basically,

0:48:040:48:07

to deal with the situation.

0:48:070:48:09

Could you give me a ring back urgently, please.

0:48:090:48:12

The sheriffs have the right to enter commercial premises

0:48:120:48:15

and, if necessary, remove property to auction to pay off the debt.

0:48:150:48:20

If need be, they'll call a locksmith and force entry

0:48:200:48:23

but Steve is hoping to get someone to open up.

0:48:230:48:26

-There's no vans.

-PHONE RINGS

0:48:280:48:30

Hello, sir, is it possible for you to get back to the unit for us, please?

0:48:300:48:34

It's Mr Pearson. We've a High Court writ.

0:48:340:48:37

You're not going to pay it?

0:48:370:48:39

Oh, right. Is there anybody who can come and deal with it for you?

0:48:410:48:44

No, we can't come back tomorrow, sir.

0:48:440:48:46

We do have power of locksmith, if needs be.

0:48:460:48:49

I'd much rather deal with one of your employees, or yourself.

0:48:490:48:52

I can wait for you.

0:48:520:48:54

Thanks a lot. Ta-ra.

0:48:540:48:55

Hopefully that will get him here

0:48:550:48:57

but all we can do now is have a coffee and wait for him to turn up.

0:48:570:49:00

Just two minutes later, someone does turn up

0:49:000:49:02

but it's not the boss.

0:49:020:49:04

-Hi, are you from this unit here, love?

-Yeah.

0:49:040:49:06

-Have you just come to work, have you?

-Yeah.

-Right, OK.

0:49:060:49:09

We'll let you get on with what you need to do

0:49:090:49:11

and we can hang about and wait for...

0:49:110:49:12

-I think it was a gentleman called Kevin on the phone.

-Right.

0:49:120:49:15

-We can wait for him.

-Right, no problem.

-OK, thank you very much.

0:49:150:49:19

As soon as she goes in, we can follow her in.

0:49:190:49:22

But there's something Chris and Steve have failed to spot...

0:49:220:49:25

-Do you have a contact number for Mr Musson, love?

-I haven't, sorry.

0:49:260:49:31

-They were the keys for the unit.

-No way!

0:49:310:49:34

She's been told to come and get them.

0:49:340:49:36

How many female roofers do you know?

0:49:360:49:38

Yeah, how did we not see them?

0:49:380:49:40

The seasoned sheriffs failed to spot that the keys to the unit

0:49:400:49:44

were on the window sill

0:49:440:49:46

and the woman was able to take them from under their noses.

0:49:460:49:50

Kevin, it's Mr Pearson, I've just spoken to you.

0:49:500:49:53

Er, the lady, who I believe you've just spoken to

0:49:530:49:56

to attend and remove the keys, has done that.

0:49:560:49:59

Now that's saying to me that you don't want to deal with this.

0:49:590:50:02

Now... How long are you going to be, Kevin, you said an hour-and-a-half

0:50:020:50:05

but why have you asked the lady to come and take the keys away?

0:50:050:50:08

30 minutes... Right, no problem.

0:50:080:50:10

I'll see you when you get back, then. Thank you. Ta-ra.

0:50:100:50:13

30 minutes. We'll give him 30 minutes, see if he turns up.

0:50:130:50:16

I can't believe we didn't spot them keys.

0:50:160:50:19

That shows me that he's not interested in paying today.

0:50:190:50:21

The man calls back.

0:50:220:50:24

He asks our camera to leave his property.

0:50:240:50:26

He says he will meet Chris but not in front of the cameras

0:50:260:50:30

and will call again with details of the meeting place.

0:50:300:50:33

PHONE RINGS

0:50:330:50:34

Hello, can I help?

0:50:360:50:37

The man has arrived but, not wanting to be filmed,

0:50:370:50:40

has concealed himself away from the company's unit.

0:50:400:50:42

Bridge? Oh, yeah.

0:50:420:50:45

No problem, mate, OK.

0:50:450:50:46

Alone, Chris makes his way to the clandestine meeting place.

0:50:480:50:52

Steve waits for a few minutes.

0:51:040:51:06

Now he's going to help apply some pressure

0:51:060:51:09

and hopefully get this case resolved.

0:51:090:51:11

He's had enough time. Chris should've been able to establish

0:51:110:51:13

whether he'll to pay or not,

0:51:130:51:15

so I will walk down and join him and leave the van here.

0:51:150:51:18

But as Steve makes to join the other two under the bridge,

0:51:180:51:21

he's stopped in his tracks.

0:51:210:51:23

PHONE RINGS

0:51:230:51:25

Hello?

0:51:270:51:28

Yeah? Bring it round, yeah.

0:51:300:51:32

He wants the card machine. It appears he's going to pay in full.

0:51:320:51:37

Payment in full.

0:51:370:51:38

It's a result for the sheriffs.

0:51:380:51:40

Steve takes the machine to the man's van on the other side of the bridge

0:51:400:51:44

but is quickly back.

0:51:440:51:46

The fella's not happy but, then again, who would be?

0:51:460:51:48

He's just about to pay three grand out

0:51:480:51:51

that he should have paid out months ago.

0:51:510:51:54

Finally, the writ is settled in full.

0:51:540:51:57

Steve can't help reflecting on the keys he reckons

0:51:570:52:00

Chris failed to spot.

0:52:000:52:02

I would have thought that Chris would have found them straight away,

0:52:040:52:07

so I didn't go looking for them.

0:52:070:52:08

The key issue was very funny.

0:52:080:52:11

He needs to be back in the classroom for a couple of days

0:52:110:52:14

just to make sure he's up to scratch.

0:52:140:52:17

He's cleared his debt off.

0:52:170:52:19

There was no great concern about that, no grievance about doing that.

0:52:190:52:22

A little concern about the costs but such is life.

0:52:220:52:26

A good result for Kathleen Horton,

0:52:280:52:30

who will finally get the money she's due for the poor work done

0:52:300:52:33

by Cumbria Roofing North West Ltd.

0:52:330:52:35

For Chris and Steve it's been a straightforward job,

0:52:350:52:39

apart from the secret meetings under the bridge,

0:52:390:52:42

and, of course, those keys.

0:52:420:52:43

I'm going to blame Steve, wholly and fully.

0:52:450:52:47

That's the end of the matter.

0:52:470:52:48

I don't want to hear anything else about it.

0:52:480:52:50

The sheriffs' work isn't all about collecting debts

0:53:010:53:03

from small businesses.

0:53:030:53:05

Are you going to pay in full, sir?

0:53:050:53:06

Sometimes they're tasked

0:53:080:53:10

with taking on some of the biggest corporate names in the UK.

0:53:100:53:13

This afternoon, Lawrence and Kev are on just such a case.

0:53:140:53:19

We're on our way to Luton, at the moment, to Thomson Airways.

0:53:200:53:23

It's to do with a delayed flight.

0:53:230:53:25

The total due is £1,727.82.

0:53:260:53:30

This passenger's case, and soon to be thousands more like it,

0:53:350:53:39

have come about due to a recent European Court of Justice ruling.

0:53:390:53:43

If your flight is delayed for more than three hours,

0:53:430:53:46

without an adequate reason why,

0:53:460:53:48

you can demand compensation from the airline at fault.

0:53:480:53:52

It's opening the floodgates for passengers

0:53:520:53:54

to get back what they deserve.

0:53:540:53:56

-That's their logo, isn't it?

-Yeah.

0:53:560:53:59

-That top one?

-I believe so, yeah.

0:53:590:54:02

Thomson is part of the TUI Travel group,

0:54:020:54:04

which, in 2012, made £490 million in operating profit.

0:54:040:54:09

Will they be able to rustle up the £1,700 they need

0:54:090:54:13

to pay off this debt?

0:54:130:54:14

Hello there, I'm looking for somebody from Thomson's Airways

0:54:140:54:17

who can deal with a High Court writ.

0:54:170:54:20

The receptionist goes off to find someone more senior

0:54:200:54:23

to deal with the issue.

0:54:230:54:25

How will Thomson's big brass react to having two sheriffs on site

0:54:250:54:29

with a writ in hand?

0:54:290:54:30

Hello there, right you're from legal, aren't you?

0:54:300:54:33

-I'll just show you some ID.

-Right.

0:54:330:54:35

At this point, our cameraman is asked to leave the building.

0:54:370:54:41

The firm's legal team start looking into the case.

0:54:410:54:45

While they do that, Kev gets on with listing goods he can remove,

0:54:450:54:48

if necessary, to pay off the debt.

0:54:480:54:51

Soon after, Kev comes out to fill us in on what's going on inside.

0:54:550:54:59

There's obviously lots and lots of office space in there,

0:54:590:55:02

hundreds of computers, desks and sofas and tables and such forth.

0:55:020:55:05

Televisions all round the place...

0:55:050:55:07

We'll take the full inventory of the place

0:55:070:55:09

and they're just sorting out payment at the moment.

0:55:090:55:11

Faced with Lawrence and Kev and a High Court writ,

0:55:130:55:15

Thomson agree to pay there and then in full.

0:55:150:55:19

Lawrence and Kev emerge with the money in the bank

0:55:200:55:23

and a smile on their faces.

0:55:230:55:25

It was a good outcome in the end.

0:55:250:55:26

We got paid in full on the credit card.

0:55:260:55:29

As we expected to, really, it wasn't a vast amount of money, £1,700.

0:55:290:55:34

A company like Thomson's can easily afford that.

0:55:340:55:37

It's good news for the sheriffs but, much more importantly,

0:55:370:55:41

for the passenger who brought the claim

0:55:410:55:44

and who will finally get the money they're owed, paid in full

0:55:440:55:46

and in good time.

0:55:460:55:48

Thomson Airways told us they would like to apologise

0:55:490:55:52

to the customer for the delay in paying the compensation awarded.

0:55:520:55:56

They said they operate a fair and thorough process

0:55:560:55:58

to deal with EU delay claims in line with the regulation.

0:55:580:56:02

They said, on this occasion, an administration error

0:56:020:56:05

meant that the payment was not processed

0:56:050:56:07

but that it had now been made.

0:56:070:56:09

They said they'd like to reassure customers

0:56:090:56:11

that they are committed to maintaining on-time performance

0:56:110:56:14

across their flying programme.

0:56:140:56:16

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