0:00:02 > 0:00:04- Meet the sheriffs. - Let's go and introduce ourselves.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06Got a High Court writ to attend here today.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08If it's not payable, we'll be removing the stock.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11- Their job is to get you your money back.- It's about to get physical.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13It's an arrestable offence to stop me doing my job.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16If you've been ripped off and don't know where to turn...
0:00:16 > 0:00:17We need to deal with it now.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19We're going to remove vehicles to that value.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21If you're acting on his authority, pay it.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24..if you've been to court but still not been paid what you're owed...
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Are you going to open this building,
0:00:26 > 0:00:27or am I going to force entry into it?
0:00:27 > 0:00:29You need to pay this.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31..it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33Don't put your hands on me. I'm going to call a locksmith,
0:00:33 > 0:00:36effect entry into the premises and remove all the items.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37Whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40They're enforcement agents of the High Court
0:00:40 > 0:00:43and the law says they're on your side.
0:00:43 > 0:00:44..collected 42 grand.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Coming up...
0:00:51 > 0:00:55pregnant beauty therapist Victoria Lille was unfairly dismissed
0:00:55 > 0:00:57from the salon where she worked.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59He fired me because I was pregnant.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Sheriffs Darryl and Craig confront her former boss.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09- Don't touch the camera.- It'll be assault if you touch me again.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13Can they get Victoria the £27,000 she's owed?
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Sue Bodkin's car broke down after just a few days.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24When sheriffs Lawrence and Kev visit the garage she bought it from...
0:01:24 > 0:01:28I'm going to call in the trucks and start emptying the place now.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31..they're forced to take things to the next level.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33- Bring that back. - Lawrence, is this one going?
0:01:33 > 0:01:35- Yes.- This one's going. Sorry, mate.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41And the sheriffs' attempts to clear a big debt from a Coventry store...
0:01:41 > 0:01:43It'd be everything out the shop.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45..do not go to plan.
0:01:45 > 0:01:46Sorry?
0:01:47 > 0:01:49No, it's being removed.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Will the sheriffs be able to do their job?
0:01:53 > 0:01:57I need police assistance. I'm executing a High Court writ.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59It's about to get physical, basically.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14It's the start of a new working day in the West Midlands.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20Enforcement agents Darryl Oreton and Craig Wild are on the road,
0:02:20 > 0:02:24on their way to their latest head-to-head with a debtor.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Just coming in to Sutton Coldfield now,
0:02:28 > 0:02:32going to a company called Urban Glow.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36But they're not on their way to their usual sort of destination.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38They're about to visit... a beauty salon.
0:02:40 > 0:02:41It's an employment tribunal.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46Owing just over £31,000, so it's a huge amount we're going to collect.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50High Court enforcement agents, commonly known as sheriffs,
0:02:50 > 0:02:51know one thing -
0:02:51 > 0:02:54debtors rarely like being asked to pay up.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Darryl and Craig have no idea how the salon owner will react
0:02:58 > 0:03:01to being asked to pay such a massive amount.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07This is the woman the sheriffs are trying to help, Victoria Lille,
0:03:07 > 0:03:11a trained beautician and new mum from Rushall, Walsall.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17Victoria's ordeal started a year before son Kai was born.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20She saw a beauty therapist job advertised
0:03:20 > 0:03:25at Urban Glow in Boldmere, run by Robin Hampton-Cornforth.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Being passionate about beauty and make-up,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30she seized the opportunity and got the job.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33I was working from nine o'clock in the morning
0:03:33 > 0:03:37sometimes till nine o'clock at night and within two weeks he'd promoted me
0:03:37 > 0:03:39to salon manager, cos he said he was that impressed with my work
0:03:39 > 0:03:44and how I interacted with the clients, and I was over the moon.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46Four months later, Victoria and her fiance Chris
0:03:46 > 0:03:49discovered she was ten weeks pregnant.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52She told Mr Hampton-Cornforth.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Initially, he was pleased and congratulated her on the good news,
0:03:56 > 0:03:59but only four days later, he dismissed her.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03It completely tore me apart.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06I just didn't know what we were going to do.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10What made it worse was the manner in which she was dismissed.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Instead of telling Victoria face to face,
0:04:12 > 0:04:15Mr Hampton-Cornforth told Victoria's mum instead,
0:04:15 > 0:04:19who was working part-time as the salon's receptionist.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21In a text message,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24he said, "Can't keep her, she's pregnant, LOL.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26- "BLEEP- off."
0:04:26 > 0:04:30It's quite obvious why he fired me - because I was pregnant.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35The stress of the situation led Victoria into depression.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40I found it hard to get out of bed, I was that low and that down.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44My partner would come home from work and I'd be in tears every day.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Victoria started having problems with her pregnancy.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52I was admitted to hospital on two occasions
0:04:52 > 0:04:55because I was in early labour, which they managed to stop,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58but they said it was due to all the stress.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Luckily, Victoria had the support of her family
0:05:02 > 0:05:04and, with her father's help,
0:05:04 > 0:05:08she found strength to take her former boss to court.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12Mr Hampton-Cornforth didn't appear in court to contest the case.
0:05:12 > 0:05:13Here we go.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16The judge found that Mr Hampton-Cornforth's behaviour
0:05:16 > 0:05:19had led to Victoria's stress and that he dismissed her
0:05:19 > 0:05:21because she was pregnant.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Her former boss was ordered to pay her
0:05:23 > 0:05:28over £27,000 for loss of wages, stress and discrimination.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Despite the court order,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Mr Hampton-Cornforth still hasn't paid her the money.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37She's left with only one option.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43I don't know what to do, so the sheriffs are our only option, really,
0:05:43 > 0:05:44our last resort.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53It's now up to the sheriffs to get Victoria and baby Kai
0:05:53 > 0:05:55the money they're owed.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Darryl and Craig have arrived at Urban Glow in Sutton Coldfield
0:05:59 > 0:06:04with the massive task of recovering a debt that with interest and costs
0:06:04 > 0:06:06is now £31,000.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08Hello. Oh, sorry.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Is the manager about at all?
0:06:11 > 0:06:14Yeah, if your boss is here. Thank you.
0:06:14 > 0:06:15- Is that him?- Yeah.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Victoria's former boss, Robin Hampton-Cornforth,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20is soon on the line.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23They've actually sent us out to execute a High Court writ today.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25It's an employment tribunal case.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27He asks Craig to go into the back of the shop
0:06:27 > 0:06:29so he doesn't disturb the customers.
0:06:29 > 0:06:30What, sorry?
0:06:30 > 0:06:34Then he asks the sheriffs to leave altogether.
0:06:34 > 0:06:35We can't go outside the shop, sir.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39We're authorised to execute the High Court writ whilst we're here.
0:06:39 > 0:06:40Well, I can, sir.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Quite simply, I've got a court order to execute whilst I'm here.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46No problem, I'll wait for your call.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48While they wait for Mr Hampton-Cornforth,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51Darryl realises they've got a problem.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53The debt is £31,000,
0:06:53 > 0:06:57but even though there are some fairly valuable sunbeds,
0:06:57 > 0:07:01the assets in the shop are worth nothing like that amount.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Just then, the owner arrives.
0:07:03 > 0:07:04Hello, do you want to leave?
0:07:04 > 0:07:06- Hello, sir.- You going to leave?- No.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- We can discuss it... - There's no discussing it.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12This has gone to a tribunal case. It's been referred by the judge.
0:07:12 > 0:07:13Right. At the moment, we've got a live writ.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Well, as far as I'm aware...
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- As far as you might be aware, that may be...- What are you filming for?
0:07:21 > 0:07:22I don't want you to film me.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Mr Hampton-Cornforth strongly objects to our presence.
0:07:27 > 0:07:28Don't touch the camera, sir.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- CAMERAMAN:- It'll be assault if you touch me again.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- You can ask me to leave and I'll leave...- I don't want...
0:07:33 > 0:07:34We can dis...
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- He's just told you he will leave. - It's still running...
0:07:37 > 0:07:38So let him leave.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43With us gone, he then tells Darryl and Craig
0:07:43 > 0:07:45that he's appealing the judgment,
0:07:45 > 0:07:48so doesn't think that the sheriffs should be there either.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Craig points out that an appeal does not prevent his right
0:07:53 > 0:07:55to enforce the writ today.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Despite this, Mr Hampton-Cornforth still refuses to pay up.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02Bit of a brick wall at the moment.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04They've not tried to raise any money,
0:08:04 > 0:08:07made no attempt to raise any money, just keeps saying they ain't got it,
0:08:07 > 0:08:09they've got 300 quid,
0:08:09 > 0:08:12and they're still on the phone to the solicitor's.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Craig's just looking at removing the sunbeds
0:08:14 > 0:08:17when Mr Hampton-Cornforth's wife arrives.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20She says the sunbeds don't belong to the company
0:08:20 > 0:08:22and therefore can't be removed.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Without them to pay off the debt,
0:08:25 > 0:08:29the sheriffs would have to clear everything else out of the salon.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Rather than see the business effectively closed,
0:08:32 > 0:08:35the couple finally start to look for funds
0:08:35 > 0:08:37and come up with a payment proposal.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43We've got a part-payment today of £3,000
0:08:43 > 0:08:45with a further £2,000 being paid tomorrow.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47That's not bad, start chipping away at it.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51A good result to get that amount of money off a liability of this size.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53It may not be the full amount,
0:08:53 > 0:08:55but £5,000 in the sheriffs' bank
0:08:55 > 0:08:59is worth more than all of the salon's assets sold at auction.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02After all of Mr Hampton-Cornforth's protesting,
0:09:02 > 0:09:06he never went back to court to appeal against the judgment.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10Instead, he has agreed to pay Victoria £250 a month
0:09:10 > 0:09:13until the outstanding balance is cleared.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15We've got this little one and we've got the great news
0:09:15 > 0:09:19that what the sheriffs have done, so we're so happy now.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25Mr Hampton-Cornforth disputes Victoria Lille's version of events,
0:09:25 > 0:09:26saying...
0:09:36 > 0:09:40..saying he believed another ex-employee had used his phone
0:09:40 > 0:09:42to make the text.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45He says she only worked for him for two and a half months,
0:09:45 > 0:09:46and therefore...
0:09:56 > 0:09:59There have been sheriffs since Saxon times.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Today their job is to enforce High Court writs.
0:10:02 > 0:10:08I'm here with a court order to collect the sum of £34,311.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12If you've been awarded money by a court but haven't been paid,
0:10:12 > 0:10:16the sheriffs can enforce a writ and get you what you're owed.
0:10:16 > 0:10:17It hasn't been paid,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20so he's transferred it up to the High Court for enforcement purposes.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24And if the debtor won't pay, sheriffs have the power
0:10:24 > 0:10:28to remove goods and have them sold at auction to pay off the debt.
0:10:28 > 0:10:29Are you going to pay in full, sir?
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Right, I'll get the crowbar out of my van.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36A High Court writ costs £60.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38If the sheriffs are successful,
0:10:38 > 0:10:40there's nothing more for the clients to pay.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43There's 6,900 there.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45Paid it straightaway, so it's all good.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47If they're unsuccessful,
0:10:47 > 0:10:53the only cost is a compliance fee of £75 plus VAT for each enforcement.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55HE CHUCKLES
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Sheriffs Lawrence Grix and Kevin McNally
0:11:09 > 0:11:11are heading down to the seaside.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14We're heading down to Hastings, down the A21.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Is that where Harold got one through the eye?
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Allegedly.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20It's quarter past eight in the morning,
0:11:20 > 0:11:23we're going to Hughenden Road Garage Ltd.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27It's £1,857.90.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33They're on their way to help professional puppeteer Sue Bodkin.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36And he's called Pirate Pete.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38SINGING: My name is Pirate Pete...
0:11:40 > 0:11:42She's been entertaining children and adults
0:11:42 > 0:11:45with her puppet performances for more than 15 years.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48IN WARBLY VOICE: Oh, that's nice!
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Thank you, you've got very kind children.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Sometimes she uses an innovative portable booth.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56The way my booth's made, I disappear,
0:11:56 > 0:12:00so they really can create a world of wonder for them
0:12:00 > 0:12:04and they think it's much more real than it actually is.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Sue planned to offer more ambitious puppet shows,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10but for that, she would need transport.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Before, I'd just been using my small, little booth
0:12:13 > 0:12:16which I could take on a bus or walk about in
0:12:16 > 0:12:19and I thought, "It's about time I make a bigger show
0:12:19 > 0:12:21"and have someone help me."
0:12:21 > 0:12:23I thought, "Well, I've only got a small car,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26"so I need to get a larger vehicle,"
0:12:26 > 0:12:29but I actually live on very little money
0:12:29 > 0:12:34and I'm on working tax credit, so it can be a bit of a struggle.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37Looking round for a vehicle that would fit the bill,
0:12:37 > 0:12:41she happened to pass local dealers Hughenden Road Garage
0:12:41 > 0:12:43when she spotted a bright yellow van.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46He took me out, the garage owner, Philip,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48and it seemed OK
0:12:48 > 0:12:51and it wasn't too expensive.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Loving the van, she paid £400 in cash for it
0:12:54 > 0:12:56and traded in her old car,
0:12:56 > 0:13:00making a total of £750 for the van,
0:13:00 > 0:13:02a big investment on a small budget.
0:13:04 > 0:13:05She took it home,
0:13:05 > 0:13:09but just days later, she ran into problems.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12I tried to start the van and it wouldn't start
0:13:12 > 0:13:15and I noticed the warning light was on
0:13:15 > 0:13:17and I thought, "Oh, no!"
0:13:17 > 0:13:18Sue got the van restarted,
0:13:18 > 0:13:22but she continued to have problems with the engine cutting out.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24I began to get more and more concerned,
0:13:24 > 0:13:26because as I was driving about,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28the van would suddenly cut out
0:13:28 > 0:13:32and then I'd be stuck on a roundabout or up a hill
0:13:32 > 0:13:35and I felt quite scared in that position.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38Sue asked Hughenden to fix the van
0:13:38 > 0:13:41and was told the problem was an air filter.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44She paid £40 to fix this and drove it away,
0:13:44 > 0:13:46but the problems continued.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50She decided to get another garage to check it out
0:13:50 > 0:13:54and they said the issue was the engine control unit, or ECU.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Armed with this knowledge, she went back to Hughenden
0:13:59 > 0:14:01to demand they fix the problem once and for all.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07Basically, he said that he could fix it for me,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10but it would be another £450,
0:14:10 > 0:14:14and I said, "But if this was a problem,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17"surely you should be fixing it,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20"because I bought it from you and it was only a little while ago."
0:14:20 > 0:14:22DOG BARKS
0:14:22 > 0:14:24If the car wasn't fit for purpose,
0:14:24 > 0:14:29consumer law means Sue had the right to have it fixed or get a refund.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32She wrote to Hughenden, insisting they fix the faulty van,
0:14:32 > 0:14:34but she was ignored.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41Sue's plans to expand her business had to be put on hold.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44And then I was left without a van and I was devastated,
0:14:44 > 0:14:49because I had no way of doing my work
0:14:49 > 0:14:51and I had no vehicle to get about.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56Sue was left with no alternative but to take the garage to court.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59Hughenden didn't attend the hearing
0:14:59 > 0:15:01and a judgment was issued in Sue's favour.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04The garage then applied to have this set aside,
0:15:04 > 0:15:06but their appeal was thrown out.
0:15:06 > 0:15:12But despite the court awarding Sue £890, she's still not been paid.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16Her only hope of seeing her money now rests with the sheriffs.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Lawrence and Kev have arrived at Hughenden Road Garage
0:15:25 > 0:15:27in pursuit of Sue's money.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31The garage is full of equipment the sheriffs could remove
0:15:31 > 0:15:33if need be, to clear the debt,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36but the one thing missing is the boss.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41A few minutes later, one of the mechanics gets him on the phone.
0:15:41 > 0:15:42Hello there, sir.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45The garage owner tells Lawrence that he's aware of the debt
0:15:45 > 0:15:48but claims he doesn't have to pay it,
0:15:48 > 0:15:50but Lawrence knows otherwise.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53The court ordered you to pay, didn't it, sir?
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Well, yes, it did.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00The owner says he'd agreed Sue would return the faulty vehicle to him,
0:16:00 > 0:16:02but as she hasn't, she won't pay.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06This is something Sue Bodkin strongly disputes.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08That's not what we're here to sort out today.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11We have writ here ordering us to clear this debt.
0:16:11 > 0:16:12You need to sort this out today...
0:16:13 > 0:16:16..or we will strip this garage bare.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Faced with the alternative, the owner agrees to come down.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23OK? Cheers, bye-bye.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28If the owner doesn't pay, gear will be removed,
0:16:28 > 0:16:31and in a workshop full of tools and equipment,
0:16:31 > 0:16:33there's plenty of choice.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36There's well enough equipment to warrant removing it if need be.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38Hopefully it won't come to that.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43Then Kev spots something that chills even a seasoned sheriff.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45Freddy Krueger in the corner.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Not sure we'll be taking him.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50SPOOKY MUSIC
0:16:50 > 0:16:53Probably quite collectable, cos he's quite realistic.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56At a collectors' auction, he'd probably go down quite well.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58I'll list Freddy Krueger down, just in case.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Lawrence and Kev have already been at the garage over 40 minutes
0:17:03 > 0:17:05when the owner, Mr Choronik,
0:17:05 > 0:17:09the man who sold Sue her yellow van, arrives.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13Lawrence loses no time in setting out the situation.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16The bottom line is Ms Bodkin got judgment against you
0:17:16 > 0:17:22and with all the additional court costs and our fees, it's £1,857.90,
0:17:22 > 0:17:23which needs to be paid today.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26If you want to pay us in full, that will prevent further action today.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29I can't pay, because I need time to sort this out.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31If you're telling me that you can't pay it,
0:17:31 > 0:17:35then I'm going to call in the trucks and start emptying the place now.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39But the garage owner believes none of the goods can be removed.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41I can assure you that everything here is personal tools
0:17:41 > 0:17:43and the rest of it's all on finance anyway,
0:17:43 > 0:17:44and I've got proof of all financing
0:17:44 > 0:17:46and you know you can't remove financed stuff.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Do you want to get your finance paperwork?
0:17:48 > 0:17:50- I've got all my finance paperwork. - Show us that.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52I can do, yes.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54You can't tell us things, you need to prove things.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57The owner phones for advice.
0:17:57 > 0:17:58- CAMERAMAN:- You want me to go?
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- No problem.- On your way.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03At this point, our camera is asked to stay outside.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11The owner says he can't afford to pay.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16The guy's just been on the phone to the bank
0:18:16 > 0:18:18to see if he can get his credit card limit up.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Two and a half hours after the sheriffs walked into the garage,
0:18:23 > 0:18:28a business advisor arrives at the request of the garage owner.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30He gets the owner to produce paperwork
0:18:30 > 0:18:34showing much of the kit in the garage is on finance
0:18:34 > 0:18:35and can't be removed.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37But having counted up the agreements,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Lawrence believes one of the diagnostic machines
0:18:40 > 0:18:44is not on finance and is therefore available for them to take.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50Kev's keen to get the machine into the van as quickly as possible.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52- It's left the premises.- Oi!
0:18:55 > 0:18:57That is on finance. Bring that back.
0:18:57 > 0:18:58You haven't shown me the agreement.
0:18:58 > 0:18:59We're just sorting it now.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02My colleague's just said... Hold up, wait there.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04My colleague's just said bring this out. Lawrence?
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- On my way.- This one going?- Yes.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08This one's going. Sorry, mate.
0:19:11 > 0:19:12We've looked at all...
0:19:12 > 0:19:14We're trying to sort it out.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16We've looked at all the agreements and it isn't on there.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19So we've just got a bit of diagnostics kit here.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Generally quite expensive.
0:19:21 > 0:19:22We'll continue to go through the list,
0:19:22 > 0:19:24see what other stuff they've got.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27Hopefully, they'll be some other stuff we can remove as well,
0:19:27 > 0:19:29- get in the van.- With only one diagnostic machine,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Kev and Lawrence are keen to take some smaller items,
0:19:32 > 0:19:36so that their value at auction covers the debt owed to Sue.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38These are skates.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Put them under the wheels of a car.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44It's a multifunction fuel pressure tester.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48Timing tool kit for a Renault.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51It appears Freddy's coming with us for today.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53I might put him in the front instead of Lawrence.
0:19:53 > 0:19:54He'd be more use, wouldn't he?
0:19:54 > 0:19:56He'd be a lot more interesting to talk to.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00As the sheriffs set about removing goods,
0:20:00 > 0:20:03the owner wants to give us his side of the story.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05Bearing in mind this was a year ago
0:20:05 > 0:20:08and she's had this van for all this time,
0:20:08 > 0:20:10she only tells me out of court afterwards
0:20:10 > 0:20:13that she's got rid of the van, so I just walked off and said,
0:20:13 > 0:20:15"Well, get me the van and I'll give you the £750 back,"
0:20:15 > 0:20:19not knowing that I probably had to go back into the court at the time
0:20:19 > 0:20:22to actually understand, to say to the judge that,
0:20:22 > 0:20:27but I didn't. I just thought it was game over, finished, you know?
0:20:27 > 0:20:31I haven't got the van back and I've just been given a load of grief.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35But the court didn't order Sue to return the van,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38and on legal advice, she disposed of it.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42With his equipment disappearing out of the door,
0:20:42 > 0:20:45and after more than four hours of the sheriffs at his garage,
0:20:45 > 0:20:49the owner, Philip Choronik, realises Lawrence and Kev won't be put off.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53He accepts he must make some attempt to pay
0:20:53 > 0:20:57and agrees to find £2,000 of the money owed now,
0:20:57 > 0:21:00with an agreement for the rest to be paid later.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06The money will be paid on a card by the owner's wife.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08To make it as quick as possible,
0:21:08 > 0:21:10the sheriffs, the owner and the goods
0:21:10 > 0:21:12are all on their way to meet her.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15So we're off to Eastbourne.
0:21:15 > 0:21:20It's basically to save the effort of the debtor going there and back.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23We're following him there, we'll take the payment from them there,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25and then we'll make our way from there.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32But arriving in Eastbourne, disaster strikes.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34The card machine isn't working.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38I've literally just turned it on
0:21:38 > 0:21:40and it's coming up, "Return terminal to base station."
0:21:44 > 0:21:48Lawrence thinks the problem lies with the phone mast in Eastbourne.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52He suggests they all hit the road again in search of a better signal.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56What are we going to do if you're not getting a signal?
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- I don't know.- But it becomes clear the problem is the machine
0:21:59 > 0:22:04and it isn't going to be fixed, so they all pull over.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07What I propose we do is we go our separate ways,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09you make your payment
0:22:09 > 0:22:12by whatever method and then we'll bring your stuff back.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16It's our fault the damn machine isn't working,
0:22:16 > 0:22:21so I'll put myself out now to sort it out, yeah?
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Lawrence and Kev drive the goods away.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26It's not been a great end to the day.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28That's as bad as it could get.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Nightmare On Elm Street? Nightmare in Hastings!
0:22:30 > 0:22:32Nightmare in Hastings.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36All in all, really, we were about eight hours
0:22:36 > 0:22:38and didn't manage to secure a payment,
0:22:38 > 0:22:41so we've still got the goods in the vehicle.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45Freddy has got to stay with us overnight tonight
0:22:45 > 0:22:47and I'll be returning him in the morning.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Is that the oddest thing we've taken?
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Erm...it's got to be getting there, hasn't it?
0:22:54 > 0:22:56But the nightmare had a happy ending -
0:22:56 > 0:23:01some days later, the garage entered into a payment plan
0:23:01 > 0:23:03and puppeteer Sue Bodkin finally got the money
0:23:03 > 0:23:06that is rightfully hers in full.
0:23:08 > 0:23:14It shows that if you are struggling and someone takes you for a ride,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17that if you find the courage, you can go forward
0:23:17 > 0:23:21and fight for your rights and get people made accountable.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33It's a misty morning as enforcement agents Craig Wild and Tom Coyle
0:23:33 > 0:23:36pilot their van through the early-morning commuters.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41We're on our way to Coventry today.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45It's nice and bright, as you can see.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Attention to detail is part of the sheriff's mantra
0:23:48 > 0:23:50and for former Royal Marine Tom,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53that starts with preparation for the day ahead.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59I've had my muesli and at the minute I'm into mocha.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05Today's case involves a substantial debt they're hoping to recover
0:24:05 > 0:24:07from a local convenience store.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12The debt's £21,836.81.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Fingers crossed it's a shop and we can walk straight in.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27The early opening of the store is convenient for the local community
0:24:27 > 0:24:28and sheriffs alike.
0:24:28 > 0:24:33Hello, there, sir. Is a Mr Krishnakumar available?
0:24:34 > 0:24:36He's not? Could you get him on the phone for me?
0:24:36 > 0:24:38We're here with a High Court writ today to execute.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43The man behind the counter says he's just a friend
0:24:43 > 0:24:45helping out the shop owner.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47While he tries to get the boss on the phone,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50the sheriffs start to list the extensive stock
0:24:50 > 0:24:52which they can auction to pay off the debt
0:24:52 > 0:24:54if no payment's forthcoming.
0:24:56 > 0:24:57There's a lot of stuff here.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Craig has spotted the liquor licence on display
0:25:02 > 0:25:05and the man named on their writ is on it.
0:25:05 > 0:25:06He's the licensee.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Do you want to try him again, sir,
0:25:09 > 0:25:12cos we're getting to a point where we might have to start carrying on.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17The man's back on the phone and the news isn't good.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21He says the man on the writ now has nothing to do with the business
0:25:21 > 0:25:23because it has changed hands,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26but the sheriffs have seen evidence to the contrary.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29We've already seen his name on one of the...
0:25:29 > 0:25:36He's not the license holder here, but he's the nominated advisor here.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39He's already interlinked here with the business,
0:25:39 > 0:25:41so we need someone to come down here
0:25:41 > 0:25:44and we need to see a lot of documentation to prove otherwise.
0:25:45 > 0:25:46He's coming down.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Not long after, two people arrive.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54The woman says the business used to be run by her brother-in-law,
0:25:54 > 0:25:55the man on the writ,
0:25:55 > 0:25:58but now she and her husband run it.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00The other man is here to support her.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04They say the debtor now has nothing to do with the business.
0:26:04 > 0:26:05At the moment,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08we think he may have something to do with the business still here,
0:26:08 > 0:26:11cos we have noticed his name is up on one of the documents up there.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13The woman, who says she runs the business,
0:26:13 > 0:26:16has brought some paperwork to prove it.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18What's this you've got here?
0:26:18 > 0:26:20The documents show the lease and business rates
0:26:20 > 0:26:22are indeed paid by the woman,
0:26:22 > 0:26:24but the owners still haven't shown Tom evidence
0:26:24 > 0:26:26of who owns the stock in the shop.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30I don't know what to suggest. Without seeing conclusive proof,
0:26:30 > 0:26:32they're going to want us to remove them.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36Cos it's such a large debt, without nothing being paid today,
0:26:36 > 0:26:38it'd be everything out the shop.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42Shifting everything is going to be a massive task.
0:26:42 > 0:26:4418-tonner.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46They're going to look at removing.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49While Craig gets on to the office to talk trucks,
0:26:49 > 0:26:52Tom tries to convince the people who say they own the shop
0:26:52 > 0:26:54that it would be better to pay.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57The only way to relieve the situation at the moment
0:26:57 > 0:26:59is getting some payment made.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Then Craig finds a crucial piece of paperwork.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Krishnakumar.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Krishnakumar...
0:27:08 > 0:27:10- Is our man.- Is our man?
0:27:10 > 0:27:12The invoice is paid.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15- When was that?- Last week. - Let's have a look at that.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18Well, that changes things considerably, doesn't it?
0:27:19 > 0:27:23There's invoices my colleague's just found, 4th December,
0:27:23 > 0:27:28which have been paid by Krishnakumar,
0:27:28 > 0:27:30which is our defendant here.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35So you're still using the defendant's name here?
0:27:35 > 0:27:38All them goods are going to be removed unless money's paid.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41There's no more discussing it now - it needs to be paid.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44We've got proof that the goods here belong to our defendant.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50The owners say they were just using an account in the defendant's name,
0:27:50 > 0:27:52but paid for it themselves,
0:27:52 > 0:27:56but an invoice in Krishnakumar's name covering a substantial chunk
0:27:56 > 0:27:59of the shop's stock is enough for Tom.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01Yeah, it's bang to rights, to be honest.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03We're digging more and more paperwork out now
0:28:03 > 0:28:05with our man's name all over it.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Speak to you in a bit.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Hello?
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Right, that was my manager on the phone.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15He wants us to start stacking everything up,
0:28:15 > 0:28:16getting it ready to be removed.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19The owners have called in their solicitor, Mr Khan,
0:28:19 > 0:28:22so Tom explains the situation.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25They said he's nothing to do with this company whatsoever.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27We found evidence on the contrary,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30which is invoices for all the stock in the gentleman's name,
0:28:30 > 0:28:33listing everything throughout the shop.
0:28:33 > 0:28:34I've obviously given them
0:28:34 > 0:28:37the offer of making payment today for this High Court order.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39If it's not paid, we're going to be removing the stock.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42- Let me speak to my client. - By all means, by all means, sir.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- And I'll talk to you.- Yep, OK.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47With a lot of stock to get into the truck,
0:28:47 > 0:28:51Tom starts stacking the alcohol for removal.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53Is there any boxes out the back, Craig?
0:28:53 > 0:28:55Er...
0:28:57 > 0:28:59Sorry?
0:28:59 > 0:29:01No, it's being removed.
0:29:02 > 0:29:03We can.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06It's not whether you'll let us. We're here to remove it.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10So we're going to need the police, basically, cos you're stopping us?
0:29:10 > 0:29:11Craig, do you want to ring the police?
0:29:11 > 0:29:14This gentleman's stopping me doing my job.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16I thought you were just a friend, anyway.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20Just a friend, but you seem a bit more involved to be this upset.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22He's going to get arrested cos he's going to stop me
0:29:22 > 0:29:25- doing what I'm trying to do. - If you want your client...
0:29:26 > 0:29:29I'm going to need to, otherwise I'm going to have to push past him.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33No problem.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36This enforcement has taken an unexpected turn.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39Hello, there. I need police assistance at a shop.
0:29:39 > 0:29:40I'm executing a High Court writ.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42It's about to get physical, basically.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44They're stopping me doing my job.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48With Tom physically prevented from seizing the stock
0:29:48 > 0:29:50and the police on the way,
0:29:50 > 0:29:51when we return to Coventry,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54we'll see if the forces of law and order
0:29:54 > 0:29:56will allow the sheriffs to do their job.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11It's 6:30am and High Court enforcement agents
0:30:11 > 0:30:14Lawrence and Kev are on the road.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16They're in Hayling Island, near Portsmouth,
0:30:16 > 0:30:20on their way to meet a man of many names.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24We've got a defendant by the name of Mr Joseph White.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27The sheriffs have visited the address before
0:30:27 > 0:30:30but the man living there claimed not to be Joseph White
0:30:30 > 0:30:32but Joseph McVey.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36What's more, vehicles there belong to a Joseph Mayday.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39Lawrence, however, believes all these Josephs
0:30:39 > 0:30:41are one and the same person
0:30:41 > 0:30:44and intends to prove it, so he can enforce the writ.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46He's given us the runaround a bit
0:30:46 > 0:30:49but hopefully, today, we've got sufficient paperwork with us
0:30:49 > 0:30:53and sufficient evidence to shut the man up, basically.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57The total due is £28,605.32.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06Lawrence and Kev are visiting on behalf of two former tenants
0:31:06 > 0:31:08who have been awarded substantial sums by the court
0:31:08 > 0:31:12after falling into dispute with landlord, Joseph White,
0:31:12 > 0:31:14over their tenancy deposit.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18Arriving at the sizable premises, it's looking hopeful
0:31:18 > 0:31:21there'll be assets on site, in case they need to be removed
0:31:21 > 0:31:23to cover the debt.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27No-one's up.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30It gives Lawrence plenty of time to list vehicles
0:31:30 > 0:31:32to remove, if it comes to it.
0:31:34 > 0:31:35There's a noise there.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38There's definitely someone in.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41Finally, they manage to raise someone from inside the house.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43Hello there, sir.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46We're looking for a Joseph White, AKA Joseph McVey,
0:31:46 > 0:31:48formerly known as Joseph Mayday.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51- Would that be yourself, sir? - Who?
0:31:51 > 0:31:56Joseph White, AKA Joseph McVey, formerly known as Joseph Mayday.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58No.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01I can recognise him from the photo.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09At this point our cameraman is asked to leave.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13The man says he is Joseph McVey.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15You were formerly Joseph Mayday, is that correct?
0:32:15 > 0:32:17Did you change your name by deed poll, did you?
0:32:17 > 0:32:20Mr McVey confirms he was known as Joseph Mayday
0:32:20 > 0:32:24but denies he has ever been known as Joseph White.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26This is a problem for Lawrence, as Joseph White
0:32:26 > 0:32:28is the name on his writ.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33Lawrence is convinced Mr McVey is Mr White but he has to prove it.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35Yeah, it's you, sir.
0:32:35 > 0:32:40We're here today to seize goods to the value of £28,605.32.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43The man says he knows nothing about the case
0:32:43 > 0:32:46and continues to insist he's not Mr White.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Right, who owns the Nissan Navara?
0:32:49 > 0:32:51Lawrence threatens to remove the car.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54Mr McVey says he can't, because it belongs to his son.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58If your son doesn't live here, why does he leave all his vehicles here?
0:32:58 > 0:33:00Where's your vehicle?
0:33:00 > 0:33:02These are your vehicles, aren't they?
0:33:02 > 0:33:04They're registered in your son's name.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06We require proof otherwise, sir.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08He needs to come down with proof of ownership, sir,
0:33:08 > 0:33:10or we are going to remove them. OK?
0:33:11 > 0:33:14Mr McVey goes inside to contact his son.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17Meanwhile, Lawrence and Kev have found something interesting
0:33:17 > 0:33:19in the paperwork.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22- Who does a J like that?- That's him.
0:33:22 > 0:33:27Comparing two signatures, Lawrence believes the distinctive Js
0:33:27 > 0:33:31are a dead giveaway that they're signed by one person.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33He believes he's got his man.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37If you look at that J, that is you, sir.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40There is the J, you have signed that.
0:33:40 > 0:33:41Yes, you have, sir.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43Signed on that piece of paperwork.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45Highly identifiable.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48You are also known as Joseph White.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51That's quite an unmistakable J.
0:33:52 > 0:33:57Even faced with Lawrence's evidence, Mr McVey insists he is not Mr White,
0:33:57 > 0:33:59but Lawrence is convinced.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01You are known as Joseph White.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03Yes, you are, sir.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05We can enforce against an alias.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08If you're the person, you can call yourself Basil Brush.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10If you're the person known as Basil Brush,
0:34:10 > 0:34:13then we can enforce against you, or Basil Brush.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19With negotiations going nowhere, Kev decides to step things up.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22Determined to get the former tenants the money they're owed,
0:34:22 > 0:34:26he heads to the van to get the clamp for the Navara.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29Meanwhile, and much to his surprise...
0:34:29 > 0:34:30Oh, he's gone in.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34..Lawrence is invited into the house.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38Perhaps Mr McVey doesn't realise that once inside,
0:34:38 > 0:34:43Lawrence can get listing assets and not even the police can remove him.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45I'm surprise he's been invited in, to be fair.
0:34:47 > 0:34:52Inside, Lawrence says if needs be, he'll take assets out of the house.
0:34:52 > 0:34:56This is not what the man expected when he invited Lawrence in.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59He begins to take exception to Lawrence's presence.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06With the temperature rising inside, Kev goes to help.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08As Lawrence has gained peaceful entry,
0:35:08 > 0:35:11he's legally allowed to invite Kev in as well,
0:35:11 > 0:35:13to assist with removal.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16Come in, mate.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18Don't put your hands on me!
0:35:18 > 0:35:21Don't you lock him in here and don't put your hands on me.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23Don't put your hands on me!
0:35:23 > 0:35:24DOOR SLAMS
0:35:24 > 0:35:27With things turning nasty, the police are called.
0:35:27 > 0:35:32Lawrence continues to investigate removing one of the cars.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34His tactics have an immediate effect.
0:35:35 > 0:35:40Despite continuing to insist he's not the debtor, Mr White,
0:35:40 > 0:35:42Mr McVey agrees to pay off some of the debt.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46£7,000 of the 28,000 owed.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52With matters reaching a conclusion for today,
0:35:52 > 0:35:54the police car is cancelled.
0:35:54 > 0:35:59Kev removes the clamp and, with a part payment, it's over for today.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03Lawrence's canny detective work and tenacious arguing
0:36:03 > 0:36:05has got a positive result for the former tenants.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10As far as I'm concerned, that was a result
0:36:10 > 0:36:12because there is not a lot of evidence
0:36:12 > 0:36:16that Joseph McVey is, or was, Joseph White.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20I'm pretty sure he is and the fact that he volunteered to pay some money
0:36:20 > 0:36:22sort of implies that.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25That will keep the wolf from the door for the time being,
0:36:25 > 0:36:28and he can take whatever legal action he needs to take
0:36:28 > 0:36:31and, obviously, we'll go by whatever the court says.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41After we filmed, Joseph White, AKA Joseph McVey,
0:36:41 > 0:36:44applied to have the judgment against him set aside.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46He and his former tenants attended court,
0:36:46 > 0:36:48where they agreed to the set aside
0:36:48 > 0:36:52on acceptance of the £7,000 in full and final settlement.
0:37:01 > 0:37:06In Coventry, the sheriffs are trying to settle a debt of over 21,000,
0:37:06 > 0:37:09owed by a convenience store.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12But Tom has been physically prevented from removing the stock
0:37:12 > 0:37:15and the police have been called.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18There's about £2,000 worth of this stock in invoices
0:37:18 > 0:37:21- in the name of our defendant. That's what we're here to remove today.- OK.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23If they don't want to make payment...
0:37:23 > 0:37:25Obviously, there's been a bit of an issue with me
0:37:25 > 0:37:27getting stopped doing that, hence we called you,
0:37:27 > 0:37:30just, obviously, to stop a breach of the peace.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34But the owners' solicitor has been looking at the sheriffs' writ
0:37:34 > 0:37:36and he's spotted a problem.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42We've got a sealed copy in the office.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45I'll speak to the office for you now.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54It's not a defective notice.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03Tom asks the office to send over a copy of the original,
0:38:03 > 0:38:05sealed, dated writ.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08Meanwhile, the shop has found evidence that some goods
0:38:08 > 0:38:10were paid for by the new owners.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12It means not everything can be removed
0:38:12 > 0:38:16and Tom is stacking the stock the sheriffs can take away.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Plenty of Weetabix there.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22Er, it's going to be all the cereals, more or less, are on this list.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24It'll be more or less all this aisle.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27More or less, the next, of what I can see.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Most of the bars down here.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32It is quite a lot of stock, actually, when you work it out.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35Another copy of the High Court writ has been e-mailed over
0:38:35 > 0:38:38but it's still not right.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44That's what's just been sent to me. There's the High Court claim number.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47It will be sealed, sir.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50You're trying to tell me I've gone to the effort
0:38:50 > 0:38:52of making that up myself?
0:38:52 > 0:38:54Can you honestly say that?
0:38:56 > 0:38:58Our office will have the sealed copy.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01I'll ring them up again.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03Ten minutes later, the sealed writ appears.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07He's happy with that.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11And the enforcement is back on.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15Tom needs to remove more high value goods
0:39:15 > 0:39:17to have any chance of clearing the debt.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20Next on his list are the cigarettes,
0:39:20 > 0:39:23but the man supporting the new shop owner
0:39:23 > 0:39:24has other ideas.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27Excuse me. Don't start obstructing me.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29- The tobacco...- Come on.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32- You can have...- The cigarettes are going.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34Let me have a word with him. Get away, Tom.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38The police have seen enough.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41INAUDIBLE SPEECH
0:39:41 > 0:39:43You're under arrest.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45You don't have to say anything but it may harm your defence
0:39:45 > 0:39:48if you do not mention when questioned something which
0:39:48 > 0:39:51you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54You're under arrest for obstructing an enforcement officer
0:39:54 > 0:39:57- in the execution of their duty. Do you understand?- OK.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00This is not how the sheriffs wanted it to go
0:40:00 > 0:40:03but being an enforcement agent gives them powers and protection
0:40:03 > 0:40:06under the law and that's why the man has been arrested.
0:40:08 > 0:40:09Back in the shop,
0:40:09 > 0:40:14the turn of events has visibly upset the woman who runs the business.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16She starts phoning round to try to raise some money.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Knowing they are unlikely to get a full payment today,
0:40:21 > 0:40:23the sheriffs are prepared to take a part payment
0:40:23 > 0:40:27and list goods on paper until a payment plan is put in place.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32It has to be three and a half.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37We can't, sir. Time is money, you see.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41The owner's friend, who tried to prevent the sheriffs
0:40:41 > 0:40:45doing their job, is taken away by police.
0:40:45 > 0:40:49Meanwhile, Craig is beginning to believe the case will soon be over.
0:40:49 > 0:40:50I'm bringing my trusty friend with me
0:40:50 > 0:40:52so hopefully the payment will be made.
0:40:54 > 0:40:55The shop owner is waiting
0:40:55 > 0:40:58for someone to pay money into her account.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01She signs an official agreement with Tom and Craig
0:41:01 > 0:41:03which leaves the stock in the shop
0:41:03 > 0:41:06but hands ownership to the court until she either proves
0:41:06 > 0:41:10it belongs to her or agrees to pay the remainder of the debt.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12Right, we'll just wait for this payment.
0:41:12 > 0:41:13Once the payment's received,
0:41:13 > 0:41:15I'll give you copies of all your paperwork.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21Enter your PIN. Enter your PIN and press the green button, please.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25- Approved.- Boom.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28The money will be held by the sheriffs,
0:41:28 > 0:41:30giving her a chance to prove she owns the stock.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37And, with that, the sheriffs and police call it a day.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41They've secured part of the payment and expect the rest to follow.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44It was quite a good result, apart from one gentleman had to be
0:41:44 > 0:41:46removed by the police and actually arrested,
0:41:46 > 0:41:49which we never want to see happen, but he was stopping me
0:41:49 > 0:41:51doing my job, physically stopping me,
0:41:51 > 0:41:56so the officer intervened and had to arrest him in the end.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00Since we filmed, the Crown Prosecution Service
0:42:00 > 0:42:01decided not to bring a prosecution
0:42:01 > 0:42:03against the man arrested by the police.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08The Earlsdon Convenience Store told us the recent invoice
0:42:08 > 0:42:11found in the previous store owner's name was a mistake
0:42:11 > 0:42:15caused by a wholesaler issuing it in the wrong account name.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17They stressed that the current business owner's reticence
0:42:17 > 0:42:20to pay the debt was not due to financial difficulties,
0:42:20 > 0:42:23but because she disputed that it was she that owed it.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35Last series, the sheriffs paid an early-morning call to
0:42:35 > 0:42:37Leicestershire dentist John Hammond.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40He'd borrowed money from an elderly lady for a business
0:42:40 > 0:42:42venture but hadn't paid her back.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45We're ordered here by the court today to take goods
0:42:45 > 0:42:49to the value of £10,706.66.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52With two High Court enforcement agents on his doorstep,
0:42:52 > 0:42:55he soon decided to pay up in full.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00You might have thought that would be the end of the matter, but it isn't.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04The elderly lady isn't the only person owed money by the dentist.
0:43:06 > 0:43:08Someone else is -
0:43:08 > 0:43:13IT contractor and keen metalworker Andrew Dixon from Leicestershire.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17His problems started when he went for a routine check-up
0:43:17 > 0:43:20with his dentist of many years, John Hammond.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22During the visit,
0:43:22 > 0:43:25Mr Hammond started talking about a business plan of his.
0:43:25 > 0:43:28He was explaining to me that he
0:43:28 > 0:43:32had interests in commercial property, warehouses particularly,
0:43:32 > 0:43:36and he was looking for investment of 100,000 and, over time,
0:43:36 > 0:43:41we talked about it and it ended up I made an investment of 10,000.
0:43:42 > 0:43:46The dentist told Andrew he would earn 10% interest a year
0:43:46 > 0:43:50on his loan and would receive the interest in regular instalments.
0:43:50 > 0:43:52He always backed it up with an, "Of course,
0:43:52 > 0:43:57"I have a dental practice that turns over 200,000 a year so I,
0:43:57 > 0:43:59"personally, will guarantee this."
0:43:59 > 0:44:02Andrew received two interest payments and was awaiting his
0:44:02 > 0:44:07third when Mr Hammond came back to him with another request for money.
0:44:07 > 0:44:11He approached me for a short-term loan, 60 days,
0:44:11 > 0:44:14and allow him to take up an opportunity of buying shares in
0:44:14 > 0:44:19a vehicle which he thought was going to be very productive and rewarding.
0:44:19 > 0:44:26I loaned him 35,000, which he said would be useful, for the 60 days.
0:44:26 > 0:44:31But after 60 days, the promised full repayment hadn't materialised.
0:44:31 > 0:44:33Andrew chased him up.
0:44:33 > 0:44:37He said to me he'd forgotten and during the course of that
0:44:37 > 0:44:41conversation, he explained that he was struggling to find
0:44:41 > 0:44:45the money to repay me and I'd also noticed that there had been
0:44:45 > 0:44:49a shortage of interest payments on the original 10,000 loan.
0:44:49 > 0:44:53I realised, after various conversations with John,
0:44:53 > 0:44:56that this money was not going to be coming back.
0:44:56 > 0:45:00Andrew visited a financial adviser, who told him
0:45:00 > 0:45:04he was by no means alone in being owed money by Mr Hammond.
0:45:04 > 0:45:08When I first saw the paperwork showing the amount that was
0:45:08 > 0:45:12owed by John Hammond, I was gobsmacked.
0:45:12 > 0:45:14Absolutely floored me.
0:45:16 > 0:45:19The amount of John Hammond owes, my understanding is
0:45:19 > 0:45:22it's a figure in excess of seven million.
0:45:23 > 0:45:27In an attempt to get his money, Andrew took his ex-dentist to court.
0:45:29 > 0:45:31Mr Hammond didn't contest the case
0:45:31 > 0:45:34and a judgment was issued in Andrew's favour.
0:45:34 > 0:45:36But he still hasn't been paid.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39It's now up to the sheriffs to try and get his money back.
0:45:51 > 0:45:54Heading to Mr Hammond's house, sheriffs Darryl Oreton
0:45:54 > 0:45:59and Mark Povey have a good idea what assets might be available to
0:45:59 > 0:46:01set against the debt if need be.
0:46:01 > 0:46:05We're going to his home address. We know he's got a Jaguar,
0:46:05 > 0:46:08which were hoping is going to be on the drive, get that blocked in.
0:46:08 > 0:46:10I don't think it's of great value.
0:46:10 > 0:46:13Let's hope we can get into his house and put a bit of pressure on
0:46:13 > 0:46:15and see if we can get this money raised.
0:46:15 > 0:46:17With interest, costs and fees,
0:46:17 > 0:46:22Darryl and Mark will now be looking for over £87,000 from Mr Hammond.
0:46:25 > 0:46:29There's no sign of the Jaguar and it doesn't seem anyone's home.
0:46:29 > 0:46:33But eventually, Darryl's persistence pays off.
0:46:33 > 0:46:34Good morning.
0:46:34 > 0:46:38Sorry, but I'm not having that.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41Right. We're looking for John.
0:46:41 > 0:46:43Is he at work? Could you get him on the phone for us?
0:46:43 > 0:46:47Mr Hammond's wife tells Darryl her husband has applied for an
0:46:47 > 0:46:51individual voluntary arrangement, or IVA - a form of insolvency.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54She says it will be agreed within the week
0:46:54 > 0:46:57and makes all of his debts unenforceable.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00Right, so there's nothing in place at the moment, then?
0:47:00 > 0:47:04Could you just get John on the phone for me?
0:47:04 > 0:47:08Mrs Hammond goes inside to try and get hold of husband John,
0:47:08 > 0:47:10leaving the door open.
0:47:10 > 0:47:14Darryl uses his powers as a sheriff and makes peaceful entry.
0:47:14 > 0:47:16I just need to wait in here.
0:47:17 > 0:47:21Mrs Hammond quickly gets her husband on the phone.
0:47:21 > 0:47:24He claims he has an interim bankruptcy order that
0:47:24 > 0:47:28protects him from creditors until the IVA is in place.
0:47:28 > 0:47:30He's telling me there's no money available.
0:47:30 > 0:47:32He's telling me I can't do anything in there
0:47:32 > 0:47:34because of this interim order,
0:47:34 > 0:47:37which, if it is all above board, then that is correct.
0:47:39 > 0:47:42If Mr Hammond can prove the interim order is in place,
0:47:42 > 0:47:45the sheriffs will have to stop the enforcement.
0:47:46 > 0:47:49But until proof arrives, Darryl isn't giving up.
0:47:49 > 0:47:51He lists goods in the house that might be
0:47:51 > 0:47:53set against the debt at a later date.
0:47:54 > 0:47:58Then he and Mark set off in pursuit of Mr Hammond's Jaguar,
0:47:58 > 0:48:01heading for his workplace to see if it's there.
0:48:02 > 0:48:05And, arriving at the surgery, there's the Jag.
0:48:05 > 0:48:09They list it with a view to removing it later if need be,
0:48:09 > 0:48:10and head to reception.
0:48:12 > 0:48:15But who's that heading inside?
0:48:15 > 0:48:17It's Mr Hammond.
0:48:17 > 0:48:21Unfortunately, the dentist has also spotted Darryl and Mark.
0:48:21 > 0:48:24KEY TURNS IN LOCK
0:48:24 > 0:48:25He's locked us out.
0:48:26 > 0:48:29- That's not very nice, is it? - Morning.- Morning.
0:48:29 > 0:48:33- I've come for my molars to be done.- Have you?
0:48:33 > 0:48:38While Darryl tries the polite way in, Mark checks round the back.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41And with the tradesman's entrance unlocked,
0:48:41 > 0:48:44he seizes his chance to make his own peaceful entry.
0:48:44 > 0:48:46- Has he locked his door?- I think so.
0:48:48 > 0:48:50But where's Mr Hammond?
0:48:50 > 0:48:54He doesn't seem keen on talking to the sheriffs.
0:48:54 > 0:48:55John?
0:48:55 > 0:48:56KNOCKING
0:48:56 > 0:48:58- John?- Come on, John.
0:48:58 > 0:49:01Sorry, I was looking for John.
0:49:01 > 0:49:02KNOCKING
0:49:02 > 0:49:03John?
0:49:05 > 0:49:07We'll hang around for a bit and see if he surfaces.
0:49:07 > 0:49:09Got his car blocked in.
0:49:09 > 0:49:12Darryl's not had a hider like this before.
0:49:12 > 0:49:16We've had them walk off. Yeah.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19Leave us in the house, tell us to lock the door when we're done,
0:49:19 > 0:49:21and do one.
0:49:21 > 0:49:25But I've never... We ain't played hide and seek before, have we?
0:49:25 > 0:49:27With Mr Hammond refusing to come out,
0:49:27 > 0:49:32Darryl makes a call to Lawrence in the office to discuss his next step.
0:49:32 > 0:49:34He's done one. He's ran upstairs and hid.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40OK, cheers, bye. Bye.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43Blocked the car in. But... HE SIGHS
0:49:43 > 0:49:46..'04 plate, I'll have a little look on Auto Trader, see what the
0:49:46 > 0:49:49value is but it ain't going to be selling at 87 grand, is it?
0:49:51 > 0:49:55With Mr Hammond refusing to talk, Darryl and Mark can do nothing else
0:49:55 > 0:49:57but join the patients in the waiting room.
0:49:57 > 0:50:02After ten minutes, Mr Hammond still doesn't want to show his face but he
0:50:02 > 0:50:06sends an employee with the paperwork confirming his interim order.
0:50:06 > 0:50:08Has that just come through now, or is it...?
0:50:10 > 0:50:13It's a body blow for Darryl and Mark's hopes of getting Andrew back
0:50:13 > 0:50:16the money that was rightfully his.
0:50:16 > 0:50:21"No other proceedings or no execution or other legal process may be
0:50:21 > 0:50:24"commenced or continued against the debtor or his property,
0:50:24 > 0:50:26"except with the leave of court."
0:50:28 > 0:50:30The order means, for the time being,
0:50:30 > 0:50:33no debts can be collected from Mr Hammond.
0:50:33 > 0:50:37It's a disappointing end to Darryl and Mark's game of cat and mouse.
0:50:37 > 0:50:41The worst news for Andrew Dixon is it looks unlikely he or
0:50:41 > 0:50:46any of Mr Hammond's many creditors will ever see their money again.
0:50:46 > 0:50:48Although they couldn't get his money,
0:50:48 > 0:50:52Andrew is pleased he asked the sheriffs to help.
0:50:52 > 0:50:56They've tried their best and it's very pleasing to know they've
0:50:56 > 0:50:58been around rattling his doorknob.
0:51:09 > 0:51:11In the North West of England,
0:51:11 > 0:51:14it's Sheriff Pete Spencer's turn to pay a visit to a debtor
0:51:14 > 0:51:17on behalf of an unhappy member of the public
0:51:17 > 0:51:19who wants what a court says he's owed.
0:51:22 > 0:51:26We're heading up to Tarleton. Looking for over £12,000 today.
0:51:28 > 0:51:32The money is owed to the purchaser of a custom converted VW camper van,
0:51:32 > 0:51:37bought from a business called Extra Special Vehicles.
0:51:37 > 0:51:40When it arrived, the vehicle was anything but extra special,
0:51:40 > 0:51:43having numerous faults.
0:51:43 > 0:51:47The owner ended up taking the business to court and won.
0:51:47 > 0:51:50But he's never been paid what he should have been
0:51:50 > 0:51:53so now he's turned to the sheriffs to get his money.
0:52:00 > 0:52:05Arriving at the business address, Pete starts looking for the boss.
0:52:05 > 0:52:09- Hi.- You after someone?- Yeah, Extra Special Vehicles?- That's me, yeah.
0:52:09 > 0:52:13All right, OK. I've got a High Court writ to attend here today.
0:52:13 > 0:52:16This is Mr Pendlebury, the owner himself.
0:52:16 > 0:52:19- Can you just give us...? - Yeah, sure, yeah.- Yeah.
0:52:19 > 0:52:21We might be half an hour or so with these lads.
0:52:21 > 0:52:25- They've just come from... - That's fine, that's OK, yeah.
0:52:25 > 0:52:28Mr Pendlebury wants to attend to some customers
0:52:28 > 0:52:29before he talks to Pete,
0:52:29 > 0:52:34so Pete gets listing vehicles and then heads inside.
0:52:34 > 0:52:37I've got a High Court writ. I'm executing it today
0:52:37 > 0:52:40for the full amount and we're going to remove vehicles to that value.
0:52:40 > 0:52:42I've got to get these two lads from Holland this morning
0:52:42 > 0:52:44so I've got to sort these kids out.
0:52:44 > 0:52:48- Have you got any means of payment today?- I don't know just yet.
0:52:49 > 0:52:52- Is there any chance you lads can pop back?- No. No. I can't come back.
0:52:52 > 0:52:54- Where do we go from here, then? - We'll be...
0:52:54 > 0:52:57- When I say pop back, I mean today. - No. We can't do that.
0:52:57 > 0:53:00- We'll potentially be looking to remove goods today.- OK.
0:53:02 > 0:53:06Mr Pendlebury wants to deal with two customers from Holland
0:53:06 > 0:53:10but Pete thinks his priorities should be elsewhere.
0:53:10 > 0:53:12I'm just going to show them where they make the frames.
0:53:12 > 0:53:15I suggest you should really be dealing with this.
0:53:15 > 0:53:17If you put them off for 20 minutes and do this, I think,
0:53:17 > 0:53:19cos it's more serious.
0:53:19 > 0:53:24The owner calls his wife and asks Pete to speak to her about the debt.
0:53:24 > 0:53:25Yeah.
0:53:25 > 0:53:28She says she's trying to get the judgment set aside
0:53:28 > 0:53:31but Pete knows this won't stop his enforcement today.
0:53:33 > 0:53:35But since Pete's been on the phone,
0:53:35 > 0:53:39the owner has headed off with his two Dutch customers to
0:53:39 > 0:53:41look at pop-up roofs for camper vans,
0:53:41 > 0:53:43leaving his mobile phone behind.
0:53:45 > 0:53:49The now phoneless Mr Pendlebury can't be contacted.
0:53:49 > 0:53:53It's looking more likely Pete might have to remove goods
0:53:53 > 0:53:54to auction, to clear the debt.
0:53:56 > 0:53:59He makes sure one potentially removable asset won't be
0:53:59 > 0:54:01making any unexpected journeys.
0:54:01 > 0:54:06We're potentially looking at taking this. So we'll just block this in.
0:54:07 > 0:54:11We'll wait for the defendant's wife to give us a call back.
0:54:11 > 0:54:15Just then, a man turns up, claiming he owns this black van.
0:54:15 > 0:54:18He says he's the one who does up the interiors
0:54:18 > 0:54:20and he's keen to show off his handiwork.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25Look at it. She's mint.
0:54:25 > 0:54:27Fridge here.
0:54:27 > 0:54:29DVD player.
0:54:29 > 0:54:31That drops down into a bed and there's a bed up there.
0:54:31 > 0:54:35- What's this worth finished, then? - 20 grand, this.- Is it?
0:54:35 > 0:54:39- What, an '07 plate? Right.- That's what I knock them out at, anyway.
0:54:39 > 0:54:42- Right.- I've not sold any at that yet.
0:54:42 > 0:54:44THEY LAUGH
0:54:44 > 0:54:48Even if it fetches nothing like that at auction, the surprisingly
0:54:48 > 0:54:51high value of their vans makes them well worth listing.
0:54:53 > 0:54:57With no prospect of payment, Pete arranges the tow truck.
0:54:59 > 0:55:02- Is he back?- You're just showing off now, aren't you?
0:55:02 > 0:55:03- He's not back, no.- Is he not?
0:55:03 > 0:55:06- He's coming back.- Is that what he said?- About an hour ago, yeah.
0:55:06 > 0:55:09- He's on his way. Sat in traffic. - Have you spoke to him?
0:55:09 > 0:55:11I've only spoke to his wife.
0:55:11 > 0:55:14He's left his mobile here so I can speak to them.
0:55:19 > 0:55:22Mr Pendlebury told Pete he'd be away for half an hour.
0:55:22 > 0:55:25Finally, over two hours later, he's back.
0:55:27 > 0:55:30- Have you brought some money or...? - No, no.- No. Right, OK.
0:55:30 > 0:55:34Recovery truck's en route so when he arrives in about 40 minutes,
0:55:34 > 0:55:36obviously, some vehicles will be going.
0:55:36 > 0:55:40Pete's powers of persuasion failed to get her owner to pay so now
0:55:40 > 0:55:45he's going to exercise his power to remove goods to clear the debt.
0:55:45 > 0:55:46The tow truck arrives.
0:55:46 > 0:55:50He's not paid. We're removing one vehicle today, which he said is his.
0:55:50 > 0:55:54He's given us the key to the vehicle now, taken some stuff out of it.
0:55:54 > 0:55:56And, with the truck loaded for towing,
0:55:56 > 0:55:59Pete has done what he can to recover the money.
0:56:00 > 0:56:02We've removed one vehicle.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05He's now going to have to pay or this particular vehicle will go to
0:56:05 > 0:56:07auction to recover the outstanding.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14Since we filmed, a stay was granted on the writ
0:56:14 > 0:56:18and the camper van was returned to Extra Special Vehicles.
0:56:18 > 0:56:22However, a substantial part payment has now been made to the customer.