0:00:02 > 0:00:04- Meet the sheriffs. - Let's introduce ourselves.
0:00:04 > 0:00:05Got a High Court writ to attend here today.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07If it's not paid we're going to remove the stuff.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Their job is to get you your money back.
0:00:10 > 0:00:11It'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'll remove vehicles to that value.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21If you're acting on his authority, pay it.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24If you've been to court but still not been paid what you're owed...
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Are you opening this building, sir,
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 > 0:00:33- Don't put your hands on me. - I'm going to call the locksmith,
0:00:33 > 0:00:36effect entry into the premises and remove all the items.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39They're enforcement agents of the High Court...
0:00:40 > 0:00:43..and the law says they're on your side.
0:00:43 > 0:00:44Just collected 42 grand.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Coming up...
0:00:51 > 0:00:53When former army medic Alan Trott
0:00:53 > 0:00:55worked for a private ambulance company,
0:00:55 > 0:00:57he wasn't paid what he was owed.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02He just seemed to think by fobbing us off, we would go away.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Well, we weren't going to go away.
0:01:04 > 0:01:09Can the sheriffs get Alan his money from the camera-shy company owner?
0:01:09 > 0:01:11What's...? No. Not with the camera.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13It's just...
0:01:13 > 0:01:16In Birmingham, a Chinese education centre
0:01:16 > 0:01:19owes a former student £34,000.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21I'm here with a court order.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24If you want to phone the police, that's your prerogative, sir.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27The owners don't take too kindly to sheriffs Tom and Craig's efforts
0:01:27 > 0:01:29to get the student back her money.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- Look, I know...- Sir, get your hands off me.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39And David Conway's car broke down minutes after he bought it.
0:01:42 > 0:01:43When the sheriffs go in pursuit
0:01:43 > 0:01:46of the money he's owed, tempers fray.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Get out. Everyone out the garage. I want these guys to leave.
0:01:49 > 0:01:50They won't go.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Yeah, yeah, there's going to be a breach of the peace now.
0:02:02 > 0:02:03On the road
0:02:03 > 0:02:05and heading to a rendezvous with a difference this morning
0:02:05 > 0:02:07are High Court enforcement agents
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12We're in Morden in Surrey
0:02:12 > 0:02:16and we are going to Medical Despatch Ambulance Services Ltd.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19They're owing £2,947.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26The man they're on their way to help is former soldier Alan Trott.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30His time in the army left him with a valuable qualification.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35I was a medic and I served in that role in the '91 Gulf War.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38I was with a armoured field ambulance unit.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41The armoured vehicles would bring back the casualties,
0:02:41 > 0:02:44we'd treat them, then we would evacuate them to the, uh,
0:02:44 > 0:02:45field hospital.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50Alan, now runs first aid classes for the British Heart Foundation.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53But after he left the army, he and his wife worked for
0:02:53 > 0:02:57Medical Despatch Ambulance Services Ltd, run by Robert Burch.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59The company hired out private ambulances
0:02:59 > 0:03:02for concerts and major events.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06We would go to the venue prior to the start of the concert.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09If there was any accidents or any treatment we've got,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12we would attend to them, give them the primary aid,
0:03:12 > 0:03:16then call any back up from the ambulance services if needed.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20And the company boss wasn't plain Mr Burch.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23He had a title, Lord Robert Burch.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25Early impressions of him were positive.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Quite a pleasant guy, quite friendly.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Told us what the company was about and it seemed fine.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35We got on with him OK, you know?
0:03:36 > 0:03:38- ALAN GIVES INSTRUCTIONS - At first it was great fun,
0:03:38 > 0:03:41helping people and seeing some top quality entertainment.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46We had saw some really big groups like Iron Maiden,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48er, Michael Buble.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51But it also had its serious side.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53I don't think it's any exaggeration to say
0:03:53 > 0:03:57over the time that we worked for Medical Despatch, we did save lives.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01But it wasn't long before problems started.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03After a job, Alan was finding
0:04:03 > 0:04:07he was waiting two or three months for the money to come through.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11At first, Alan carried on working for the company
0:04:11 > 0:04:15on an occasional basis, and was assured he'd get his money
0:04:15 > 0:04:16but nothing came.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19After nearly a year of working without being paid,
0:04:19 > 0:04:21Alan and his wife called a halt.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24That was the time we sort of said,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27"We're now got going to do any more work until you...you pay us."
0:04:28 > 0:04:31We offered them to pay us in instalments,
0:04:31 > 0:04:33so we said "Pay us £100 a month, we don't care,
0:04:33 > 0:04:35"as long as we get the money, you know?
0:04:35 > 0:04:38"If you're having problems, just pay us a nominal sum
0:04:38 > 0:04:39"until it's all paid off."
0:04:39 > 0:04:42No response, nothing. They didn't want to know.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45We were constantly being told,
0:04:45 > 0:04:47oh, we had to speak to the accounts department
0:04:47 > 0:04:50or the HR department,
0:04:50 > 0:04:51this person and that person,
0:04:51 > 0:04:55as if he was some sort of multinational company,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58you know, instead of a guy working out of some semidetached
0:04:58 > 0:04:59in Wimbledon.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03Determined to get the money owed to him,
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Alan took Medical Despatch Ambulance Services Ltd to court.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11He just seemed to think by ignoring us or fobbing us off
0:05:11 > 0:05:12we would go away.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14Well, we weren't going to go away.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17The company didn't contest the case
0:05:17 > 0:05:19and a judgment was issued in Alan's favour,
0:05:19 > 0:05:22but despite this, he still wasn't paid.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Luckily, he'd been watching telly.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28By chance we had seen the programme The Sheriffs Are Coming
0:05:28 > 0:05:32and we were quite impressed by the way they operated.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34We decided these boys know their business
0:05:34 > 0:05:36and we're going to use them.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40And with Alan's writ in hand, it's now up to Lawrence and Kev
0:05:40 > 0:05:42to get him his money back.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51When Lawrence and Kev get to their target road,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54it's not hard to spot which house they're looking for.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58- There's one.- There we go. - That's a Ranger, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:05:58 > 0:05:59What's that one in there?
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- This is the one they think is leased. Is that the Volvo.- Yeah.
0:06:02 > 0:06:03That is a Volvo, yeah.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06Time to see if anyone's at home.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12RINGING
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Doesn't look like there's anybody in.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Hello? Yeah, Medical Despatch Ambulance Services?
0:06:17 > 0:06:18My name's Mr Grix. I have a High Court writ
0:06:18 > 0:06:21to execute against Medical Despatch Ambulance Services Ltd.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Would you like you to come to the door and speak to me, sir?
0:06:25 > 0:06:27The man says Lawrence has the wrong company name.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31He's not Medical Despatch Ambulance Services Ltd,
0:06:31 > 0:06:33he's Medical Despatch Events Ltd.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Well, I've got a writ in the name of Medical Despatch Ambulance Services.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39We're sent to any address in England and Wales
0:06:39 > 0:06:41where the company has assets,
0:06:41 > 0:06:42and we can see two of your assets here,
0:06:42 > 0:06:45so you need to come out and deal with this, sir, please.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47The man argues that the ambulances on the drive
0:06:47 > 0:06:49aren't owned by the company
0:06:49 > 0:06:53as they've instead been sold to himself personally.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55You'll have some kind of proof of that, will you?
0:06:55 > 0:06:58If it's true, it means Lawrence will be unable to remove them
0:06:58 > 0:07:00if necessary to pay off the debt.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05You're a director of Medical Despatch Ambulance Services Ltd,
0:07:05 > 0:07:07you need to come and deal with this, sir.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09I'll wait 5-10 minutes for you to get dressed then, sir.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11While the company director gets dressed,
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Lawrence and Kev turn to the two ambulances on the drive.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19It looks likely they do belong to the company,
0:07:19 > 0:07:21but will the company director agree?
0:07:22 > 0:07:24He's a lord, by the way.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- Say again.- He's a lord.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30A lord?
0:07:30 > 0:07:31Officer's title, lord.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36- Hello there.- All right there? - Hi, sir.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38- I'm going to show you some ID. - Hello there. Right.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41And there he is, Lord Robert Burch.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- Not with the camera.- He's just...
0:07:45 > 0:07:49But the camera-shy lord isn't keen on talking in front of us.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52He asks if we're still filming.
0:07:52 > 0:07:53Which we are.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Back inside the house, Lord Burch finds paperwork
0:07:58 > 0:08:02he says proves the main ambulance has been sold to himself -
0:08:02 > 0:08:04a receipt.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06But when the receipt comes out through the letter box,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09Lawrence thinks it proves quite the opposite,
0:08:09 > 0:08:13that the car is actually in the company's name.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15You've signed it on behalf of the company
0:08:15 > 0:08:16but it says "full name",
0:08:16 > 0:08:18and it's got "Medical Despatch Ambulance Service".
0:08:18 > 0:08:21This says it's sold to Medical Despatch Ambulance Service.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24Why did you put Medical Despatch Ambulance Service on it then?
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Lord Burch says he put the company name on the receipt
0:08:28 > 0:08:31to make it eligible for road tax exemption,
0:08:31 > 0:08:34but this is a red rag to a bull for Lawrence,
0:08:34 > 0:08:37who thinks this proves the car is owned by the company,
0:08:37 > 0:08:40which means he can remove it if necessary.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45So it has to belong to Medical Despatch Ambulance Service
0:08:45 > 0:08:46and not you as an individual...
0:08:46 > 0:08:50- To be exempt from tax.- ..in order to be exempt from tax with the DVLA.
0:08:50 > 0:08:51The director disputes this,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54insisting the ambulance is not a company vehicle
0:08:54 > 0:08:56but rather his personally,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59and that it would be eligible for road tax exemption either way.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03You need to make up your mind. You're contradicting yourself.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06It's either a company vehicle and that's why it's exempt.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Can't have it both ways.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11No, you can't have it both ways.
0:09:11 > 0:09:12Absolute rubbish.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16To try to get Alan Trott his money,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18Lawrence ramps up the pressure further
0:09:18 > 0:09:21by going after the second, more valuable, ambulance.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Lord Burch says it's also privately owned,
0:09:25 > 0:09:27and therefore, Lawrence can't take it,
0:09:27 > 0:09:30but Lawrence isn't convinced.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32We need to see the proof of purchase of that.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36Your invoice there is in the name of the company
0:09:36 > 0:09:38that we're looking for.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40As it stands at the moment, as far as we're concerned,
0:09:40 > 0:09:41that is a company asset.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45If you're saying it isn't, you need to provide proof of that
0:09:45 > 0:09:46and you need to provide it now.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Either way, Lord Burch says he can't pay today.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Well, then it's going, OK?
0:09:53 > 0:09:54As it stands at the moment,
0:09:54 > 0:09:58you've shown me purchase paperwork for the Ford Ranger there
0:09:58 > 0:10:00in the name of the company.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04Lord Burch heads inside to look through his paperwork
0:10:04 > 0:10:06to try and prove where the money's come from
0:10:06 > 0:10:09that paid for the ambulances.
0:10:09 > 0:10:10He's off digging out his bank statements
0:10:10 > 0:10:13to show that he personally made the transfer of funds
0:10:13 > 0:10:15paid for the vehicle.
0:10:15 > 0:10:16And if he manages to do that...
0:10:18 > 0:10:20..then there's not a lot we can do.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26This enforcement is at a key moment and Lawrence knows it.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Whether he can get Alan back his money
0:10:29 > 0:10:32now depends on the paperwork Lord Burch is able to provide.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37But after consulting his records, the director is unable to produce
0:10:37 > 0:10:41any proof that he has personally bought the ambulances.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44With Lawrence on the verge of towing away his vehicles,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Lord Burch decides to act.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51Lawrence is put on the phone to the company accountant.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52Hello, sir.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Hello there. Yeah, it can be done by bank transfer.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Payment has gone through.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02There's your copy of the receipt.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06That went quite well in the end. The money will be in the account
0:11:06 > 0:11:07within the next hour or so,
0:11:07 > 0:11:09so I've issued a conditional receipt,
0:11:09 > 0:11:11and providing that does hit the account,
0:11:11 > 0:11:12then we've no need to come back.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15It might be job done for Lawrence and Kev,
0:11:15 > 0:11:20but for Alan, it's time to celebrate receiving the £1,900 he was owed.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23We've received from the sheriffs the full amount that was owed,
0:11:23 > 0:11:26plus the interest, plus all our expenses,
0:11:26 > 0:11:29so, in the end, Medical Despatch have had to pay out
0:11:29 > 0:11:33a lot more than if they'd just paid us in the first place
0:11:33 > 0:11:34with a lot less hassle.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Really, really good news.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41Robert Burch told us he did not know about Alan Trott's court action
0:11:41 > 0:11:44because the court summons was sent to an old address.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47He said he only became aware of it when it reached the High Court
0:11:47 > 0:11:49and went to the correct address.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53He reiterated that the ambulances on his drive were privately owned
0:11:53 > 0:11:55and only loaned to the company
0:11:55 > 0:11:59and stressed that they met all DVLA requirements for road tax exemption.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03He said he had now made full payment and considers the matter closed.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16On a bright morning in the Midlands, sheriffs Tom Coyle and Craig Wild
0:12:16 > 0:12:18are in pursuit of a business
0:12:18 > 0:12:21that's likely to challenge Tom's linguistic prowess.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24Right, we're in Birmingham today.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26We're after a David Zhang...
0:12:27 > 0:12:30..and Shidai Education.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35It's £34,311.74.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40The £34,000 Tom and Craig are hoping to collect today
0:12:40 > 0:12:44was awarded by the court to a former pupil who was in dispute
0:12:44 > 0:12:46with the Shidai Education Centre.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50But they haven't paid up, so the sheriffs have been ordered in.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57This is the Chinese Quarter.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Got the Chinese supermarket there.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Brilliant for your spices and all your food.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06That's it, that massive thing there. Yeah.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08It's all Chinese businesses and that in there.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Their powers mean that if the money is not forthcoming,
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Tom and Craig will remove goods to be sold at auction
0:13:16 > 0:13:17to clear the debt.
0:13:19 > 0:13:20"Xiang."
0:13:20 > 0:13:21Zhang.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23- Sussed it.- Zh...
0:13:23 > 0:13:27But first, they have to find the company directors named on the writ.
0:13:27 > 0:13:28HE HUMS
0:13:28 > 0:13:29LIFT: Doors closing.
0:13:31 > 0:13:32Hello.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35I'm trying to get in contact with a Mr David Zhang.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37My name's Mr Wild and we're from the High Court.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40Is, um, Zhang Sh...
0:13:40 > 0:13:41- What's on the door.- Yes, it's...
0:13:41 > 0:13:44- That's here?- Yes. Two different names on the...
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- Two names there.- Two names. - And...and the company here? Yes.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48Shidai Education, is that yourself?
0:13:48 > 0:13:50- Yes, is this.- Right.- Yeah.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Is the boss about?
0:13:52 > 0:13:56- Is David Yuen Zhang...- Yuen Zhang.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- WOMAN: I have no idea about that. - Oh, right.- So...
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- We are trying to connect to the boss now.- OK, no problem.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- Would you mind to... - Well, what we have to do...- Yes.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06The court order commands us to obviously stay here
0:14:06 > 0:14:08until it's resolved.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15Finally, someone arrives but he's accompanied by security.
0:14:16 > 0:14:17Sorry?
0:14:18 > 0:14:19Who are you, sir?
0:14:20 > 0:14:23Oh, right. My name's Mr Wild, I'm an officer of the High Court.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- SECURITY: Right, yeah. - I'm here today with a court order.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30Craig's credentials have an instant effect on the security man,
0:14:30 > 0:14:32leaving the new arrival looking for other ways
0:14:32 > 0:14:34to get rid of the sheriffs.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36If you want to phone the police, it's your prerogative.
0:14:36 > 0:14:37Not a problem at all.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39But this is a civil recovery action
0:14:39 > 0:14:41against the education company here...
0:14:41 > 0:14:45- Yeah.- ..as well as also a David "Ju..." Zhang.
0:14:46 > 0:14:47Who's he then?
0:14:48 > 0:14:49Right.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Have you ever heard of the lady called...
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Craig points out the name of the claimant,
0:14:55 > 0:14:57who wants to remain anonymous.
0:14:59 > 0:15:00A student.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- Yeah.- Well, she has taken David Yeun Zhang...
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- Yeah.- X... Tang and the Shidai Education,
0:15:07 > 0:15:09which is the company here, to court,
0:15:09 > 0:15:11and I'm here with a court order to collect...
0:15:12 > 0:15:15..the sum of £34,311.
0:15:15 > 0:15:20We have contact through the High Court cos that's not our business.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Well, it is your business, sir. It says it all on the lines there.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- And you're Mr...? - Why do you record my name?
0:15:26 > 0:15:28The man seems reluctant to give his name,
0:15:28 > 0:15:31but he is familiar with the case.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34We said to the court and the court says it's nothing to do with us.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36- Well, show me... - We've got all the paperwork.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- Well, you show me the paperwork then, sir.- Have a seat. Have a seat.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41I'll carry on doing my job cos this order's telling me
0:15:41 > 0:15:42to carry on doing my job.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Are you saying you've received paperwork from the High Court
0:15:45 > 0:15:49saying that we're not to come out and execute this order?
0:15:49 > 0:15:50Cos I don't think you have.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53Look, I'm going to carry on doing my job if the money isn't paid.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55Excuse me, sir.
0:15:55 > 0:15:56The man heads off,
0:15:56 > 0:16:00apparently to find the High Court paperwork.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Meanwhile, Tom and Craig start listing the company's assets
0:16:03 > 0:16:06with a view to removing them later if need be.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10- ST2.- ST2.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- 08.- 08.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- 100.- 100.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19It's a significant task if they're to raise over £34,000.
0:16:21 > 0:16:22No serial number on that one.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Later, we'll see how the Shidai Education Centre
0:16:26 > 0:16:29takes to Tom and Craig's attempts to recover the money.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33- Hey, oh...- Sir, get your hands off me.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47This morning, sheriffs Marc Newton and Tony Smith
0:16:47 > 0:16:49are heading down the M4 into Wales.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53We've going to the National Engine Centre
0:16:53 > 0:16:56in Cardiff.
0:16:56 > 0:17:01Total amount outstanding is £4,164.83.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05The sheriffs are on their way to help David Conway
0:17:05 > 0:17:08and his wife Dorothy from Billingham, in Teesside.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11He's been retired for the past 20 years
0:17:11 > 0:17:13and now loves to spend his spare time...
0:17:13 > 0:17:14flying.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19This is my hanger, these are me pride and joys.
0:17:20 > 0:17:21Noddy's my best, yeah.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26The planes are part of my life. They're very important to me.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29You know, I've crashed dozens and dozens.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31This is my latest.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35I'm known as Crasher Conway because I've had so many crashes.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38As his enthusiasm for his hobby has grown,
0:17:38 > 0:17:40so has the size of his planes.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43If David wanted to keep his hobby on the straight and level
0:17:43 > 0:17:46he needed to buy a car to transport the planes in.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50He decided the perfect vehicle was a Renault Grande Espace.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53At the National Engine Centre in Cardiff
0:17:53 > 0:17:57David thought he had found the car he so desperately needed.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00I'd seen the car, um, online.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02The car was in good condition.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05One previous owner and I really wanted this car,
0:18:05 > 0:18:07I didn't want any other car,
0:18:07 > 0:18:09so I got on the train and went and got it.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12It was an exhausting 600-mile round trip
0:18:12 > 0:18:14from Billingham to Cardiff
0:18:14 > 0:18:16but David really wanted the car.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18When he arrived at National Engine Centre,
0:18:18 > 0:18:20David wanted to try the Espace.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23He was allowed to take it for a brief test drive.
0:18:23 > 0:18:29I thought it was a nice car so I went ahead and bought it.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32The Renault Espace cost David £2,500,
0:18:32 > 0:18:35all the savings he and his wife had.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39But it was only four miles down the road when disaster struck.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43The car started losing power and eventually it stopped.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48Stranded with a barely-working car somewhere in Cardiff,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50David didn't know where to turn.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55Fortunately, he was able to get the car back to the garage
0:18:55 > 0:18:57and he asked for a refund
0:18:57 > 0:19:00but the garage said if he wanted one
0:19:00 > 0:19:01he'd have to leave the car in Cardiff
0:19:01 > 0:19:05and wait till Monday when appropriate staff could process it.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09I couldn't leave the car there and leave my money there...
0:19:10 > 0:19:12..so I had to bring the car back.
0:19:13 > 0:19:14With no refund,
0:19:14 > 0:19:18David realised he would have to nurse the car 300 miles back home.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22It took me over seven hours to drive back home in it.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24Really was horrendous.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Desperate to find out what was wrong,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30David took the car to a local garage.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33They diagnosed the problem as a dodgy engine control unit,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36and a faulty valve in the exhaust system.
0:19:37 > 0:19:38They couldn't give me an exact price
0:19:38 > 0:19:42but they said it could go into thousands.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45David immediately contacted the National Engine Centre,
0:19:45 > 0:19:47hoping for a quick resolution
0:19:47 > 0:19:50but none could be agreed.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54It left him with the undrivable Espace grounded outside his home,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57constantly reminding him of the ordeal.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03It's put so much pressure and stress on my wife and I.
0:20:04 > 0:20:05David was left with no option
0:20:05 > 0:20:08but to take National Engine Centre to Court.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10They failed to show up
0:20:10 > 0:20:12and a judgment was issued in David's favour.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15The garage applied to have the case set aside,
0:20:15 > 0:20:19but, once again, were absent, and David won the case.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22Despite victory, David still hasn't received a penny.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27With nobody left to help, it's now down to the sheriffs
0:20:27 > 0:20:29to answer David's distress signal.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Tony and Marc have found the National Engine Centre.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46- There it is, there.- It's quite big, isn't it?
0:20:48 > 0:20:51They head in to try and get David the money he's owed.
0:20:52 > 0:20:53- Hiya, mate.- Morning.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57It's about a High Court writ that's been issued by a David Knox Conway.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59The claimant has sent us out to collect the money.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03- Can I speak to my boss? I don't want any problems.- Yeah, no worries.
0:21:03 > 0:21:04We'll wait.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06While the man heads off to get his boss,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Mark is already getting a bad feeling about the job.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12I said, "Is that the National Engine Centre?" He said, "Yeah,"
0:21:12 > 0:21:13and then he said he doesn't work here.
0:21:13 > 0:21:14Are you after me?
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- National Engine Centre. - National Engine Centre.
0:21:17 > 0:21:18Can I have a look?
0:21:18 > 0:21:19It's not us, mate, see you later.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21Who's that? Who is it then?
0:21:21 > 0:21:23- That's not us.- Well...
0:21:24 > 0:21:25..it says National Engine Centre up there.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27Yeah. What does it say on the end?
0:21:27 > 0:21:28- It says Limited.- Yeah.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33The man claims that the name on the writ, National Engine Centre,
0:21:33 > 0:21:34isn't here.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36The company trading at these premises
0:21:36 > 0:21:39is Nat Engine Centre Limited.
0:21:39 > 0:21:40Then cheery-bye.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44After a less-than-warm welcome, our camera is asked to leave.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46The conversation carries on in the office,
0:21:46 > 0:21:50where the man - Mr Peter Anderson - denies being the company director
0:21:50 > 0:21:54of National Engine Centre, or Nat Engine Centre Limited,
0:21:54 > 0:21:56but he refuses to find any proof.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02Then things start to rev up at the Engine Centre
0:22:02 > 0:22:05as Mr Anderson shouts across the yard to his colleagues.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08SHOUTS: All right.
0:22:08 > 0:22:09Get up. Everyone out the garage.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11I want these guys to leave, they won't go.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Yeah, yeah, there's going to be a breach of the peace now.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17But it seems his staff aren't quite as keen to go toe-to-toe
0:22:17 > 0:22:19with the sheriffs as he thought,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21so he calls the police instead.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24He's actually being quite awkward at the moment. He's...
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Unfortunately, he's not cooperating at all.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30He's called the police and said there's been a breach of the peace,
0:22:30 > 0:22:33which there hasn't really, but we're just waiting for them to arrive now.
0:22:35 > 0:22:3720 minutes later, the police arrive.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Hiya.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44While Mr Anderson talks to the law, Marc and Tony take stock.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48You know, the police are telling him he needs to pay,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51otherwise we're going to carry on and start removing the goods
0:22:51 > 0:22:53so that's where we are, we're just waiting to see...
0:22:55 > 0:22:58..what happens, whether we can budge him into getting to pay some money.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Marc's been looking at what's available to remove,
0:23:02 > 0:23:04and phones the office to tell them
0:23:04 > 0:23:08about the substantial stock of engines.
0:23:08 > 0:23:09There's loads of engines, I mean loads.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11When I say loads, I mean loads.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14There's loads of them out there. There's hundreds of them.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Marc offers the man an ultimatum -
0:23:19 > 0:23:23pay the debt, or say goodbye to the whole lot.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Tony's ordering up a truck.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30It's going to be a big one.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33Seven and a half tonner will probably be enough,
0:23:33 > 0:23:35but then you're going to need a forklift
0:23:35 > 0:23:37cos he won't let you use his forklift, telling you that now.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39He's the most difficult person I've ever met.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42But with the tow truck on its way and his engines
0:23:42 > 0:23:44about to leave the premises,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47Mr Anderson has a sudden change of heart.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Though Mr Anderson isn't admitting WHO owns the engines,
0:23:55 > 0:23:57he is offering to pay.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Finally, the sheriffs win the battle of wills
0:24:00 > 0:24:02and head back to the office for payment.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Let's go, get out of Wales.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Mr Anderson has paid £1,250 today
0:24:13 > 0:24:16and promises to put a payment plan in place to cover the rest.
0:24:17 > 0:24:22Not as great as we wanted but we got £1,250 in cash off him here, so...
0:24:22 > 0:24:24it's a start.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28And, not long after, the National Engine Centre
0:24:28 > 0:24:30paid the full amount owed.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34David Conway is on cloud nine.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39The money has enabled him to settle his debts
0:24:39 > 0:24:41and buy the car of his dreams...
0:24:41 > 0:24:43another Renault Grand Espace.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46The sheriffs have come along and really done the business.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49Yeah, over the moon.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52The National Engine Centre told us
0:24:52 > 0:24:56they had offered David a refund the day he visited
0:24:56 > 0:24:59and it was his decision to instead have them repair the car
0:24:59 > 0:25:00and drive it home.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04They said they'd later sent him a replacement part
0:25:04 > 0:25:07and offered to pay for a local garage to fix the problem.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12They'd also, again, offered him a refund if he returned the car.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15They said it was Mr Conway's decision
0:25:15 > 0:25:18to turn down these options and instead, pursue court action.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21They said they had tried to contest the case
0:25:21 > 0:25:23but that the court had lost papers.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26They said following the sheriffs enforcement
0:25:26 > 0:25:28they had again offered to pay the balance
0:25:28 > 0:25:30if the car was returned to them,
0:25:30 > 0:25:33an offer, they say, Mr Conway chose to reject.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46The sheriffs are High Court enforcement agents.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49They have more powers than county court bailiffs
0:25:49 > 0:25:53to try and get money that a court says is rightfully yours.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58And we do at this stage have power to call the locksmith if needs be.
0:25:58 > 0:25:59No, no, no.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01We're higher than a bailiff.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03They can enter residential properties
0:26:03 > 0:26:05through unlocked or open doors.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08- Hello, mate.- Yes?! - Don't put your hands on me.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11And at commercial properties
0:26:11 > 0:26:14they can even force entry using locksmiths.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18And if the debtor still won't pay up...
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Take the keys, look after them until we get payment
0:26:20 > 0:26:22and they can have the keys back.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26..they can remove their goods to sell to pay off the debt.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28If you don't pay us,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30then we've got a lot of stuff to take out of here
0:26:30 > 0:26:32to clear the debt.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34A high court writ costs £60.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38If the sheriffs are successful, there's nothing more to pay.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Keys for this van now, so we'll keep them.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42If they're unsuccessful,
0:26:42 > 0:26:46the only cost is a compliance fee of £75 + VAT
0:26:46 > 0:26:48for each enforcement.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Today, the sheriffs are in Hackney, East London,
0:27:00 > 0:27:03where a property belonging to the Hackney Joint Estate Charity
0:27:03 > 0:27:05has been occupied by squatters.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10The charity rents out buildings to finance its work
0:27:10 > 0:27:12with disadvantaged people in the borough,
0:27:12 > 0:27:15but with the squatters in place, there's no income.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17That's your hat I've got here. You must have mine.
0:27:17 > 0:27:18All right.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Sheriffs Lawrence and Kev are part of a team
0:27:21 > 0:27:22who must get the squatters out.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26And they're being a bit quieter than usual.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30It's just coming up to six in the morning. We're in Hackney.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32Um, we're at the rendezvous point.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35We're just waiting for some of the others to arrive.
0:27:35 > 0:27:36Then we'll be moving in...
0:27:37 > 0:27:40..covertly. If we go in nice and early,
0:27:40 > 0:27:42hopefully we'll catch them in bed.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Then they won't have time to respond. We'll catch them unawares.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50For now, the team is sticking to the softly, softly approach.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54Job one is to enter the building...quietly, if possible.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00Just don't want to be shouting and hollering, making loads of noise.
0:28:00 > 0:28:01Don't want to alert them to us,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04don't want them to barricade themselves in or anything.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Don't know if you can get a crowbar in there.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Zip it in there.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14They can't budge the lock, so they're going to force the door.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16BANGING
0:28:17 > 0:28:20As expected, the noise attracts attention.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24BANGING
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Do you want to come down to the door, please?
0:28:35 > 0:28:36- All right.- Good morning.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39One of the squatters has come down to open the door.
0:28:39 > 0:28:40How many of you guys in here?
0:28:40 > 0:28:42Do you want to start waking up your friends
0:28:42 > 0:28:44- and tell them to start packing up? Yeah?- WOMAN: Yeah.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46OK, thank you very much.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49I've got one guy in there.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51OK, I'll give you a little bit of time to pack.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54You've got about an hour to get your stuff together.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56- OK? One in there and one in there. - One there as well.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00The squatters have hacked into the electricity supply
0:29:00 > 0:29:02and it's a serious risk.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04You know, I don't want to get an electric shock.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07- MAN: I don't want to go near this. - It's been earthed and everything.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09It's all cabled. It's all been jumped.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12And you can see bare electrics everywhere.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15You don't know what's live and what isn't
0:29:15 > 0:29:17so you just don't touch anything really.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19It's gardening...
0:29:19 > 0:29:21The home-grown cannabis plants
0:29:21 > 0:29:23suggest that at least some of the squatters
0:29:23 > 0:29:25have been here a while.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29The priority is making sure they are all accounted for,
0:29:29 > 0:29:32then getting them to pack up their things and move out.
0:29:32 > 0:29:33Everyone packing?
0:29:33 > 0:29:37There's four people on this floor and they're packing their stuff up.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39Everyone here at the moment is OK.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42So, just trying to keep it all on a level.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44The eviction is going well
0:29:44 > 0:29:46but this is only half the job.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50The writ includes the adjoining property,
0:29:50 > 0:29:52also occupied by squatters.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Open the door!
0:29:54 > 0:29:57They aren't co-operating and won't open the door.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59The sheriffs take action.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11Lawrence applies his boot
0:30:11 > 0:30:14and then it's the same routine as next door.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Morning. Speak English? You don't speak English?
0:30:18 > 0:30:20You do speak English? You understand, yeah?
0:30:20 > 0:30:23OK. Pack your belongings and leave.
0:30:23 > 0:30:24They know the position.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26They know there's a writ of possession
0:30:26 > 0:30:27and they know they're going.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30So, you can... You know, just give them a bit of time
0:30:30 > 0:30:31and they'll go peacefully.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34- MAN: I'm guessing we haven't really got time for a cup of tea.- No.
0:30:35 > 0:30:36I'll be back for that plant.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39You'll have to make everyone a cup of tea if you're doing that.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41- How many is there?- 15. - No, you're all right.
0:30:41 > 0:30:42HE LAUGHS
0:30:43 > 0:30:45In this building too,
0:30:45 > 0:30:49Lawrence spots the telltale signs of horticultural activity.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53This is a little hydroponic cupboard
0:30:53 > 0:30:55for growing a cannabis plant.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00There's quite a few cannabis plants being grown around the place.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02There's obviously illegal activities going on.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06Definitely a bit funky.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12They have got a lot of stuff.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14This guy reckons he's been here a year,
0:31:14 > 0:31:16so unless he gets removal trucks in,
0:31:16 > 0:31:19he's going to be here all day, which we're not going to be around for.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24The sheriffs believe there could have been over 25 squatters
0:31:24 > 0:31:25in the two properties.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29We have to search every bit of it.
0:31:29 > 0:31:30You do get people hiding.
0:31:31 > 0:31:32It's been known before,
0:31:32 > 0:31:33you come into the most grotty bit
0:31:33 > 0:31:36and you find somebody hiding in a corner
0:31:36 > 0:31:37thinking they'll get away with it
0:31:37 > 0:31:40and let their friends back in later on.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43Now they've all gone and the building can be handed back.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49Took us a little while to get in because it was a...
0:31:49 > 0:31:52One of them was a very, very secure metal door...
0:31:52 > 0:31:55..but once we were in, they just left.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57Locksmiths are securing the building
0:31:57 > 0:31:59to make sure it can't be re-occupied.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02The owners say it will be re-developed very soon,
0:32:02 > 0:32:06with rental income paying for the work of the charity.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09It's been a textbook operation for the sheriffs,
0:32:09 > 0:32:13thanks in part to the cooperation of the now former squatters.
0:32:26 > 0:32:27In Birmingham, Tom and Craig
0:32:27 > 0:32:30are still at the Shidai Education Centre,
0:32:30 > 0:32:35trying to get over £34,000 on behalf of a former student.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39- SCQ.- SCQ.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41While they wait for an employee to come back
0:32:41 > 0:32:42with the promised documents,
0:32:42 > 0:32:44they've been listing the company's assets,
0:32:44 > 0:32:46with a view to removing them later if need be.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51- Zoostorm.- Zoostorm?- Yep.
0:32:54 > 0:32:55We can, sir.
0:32:58 > 0:32:59No, excuse me. Excuse me.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01You cannot take... Oh, hey...
0:33:01 > 0:33:03Sir, get your hands off me.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06- Anything, if it's damaged... - That's fine, sir.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08I told you what we're here for today.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11- You were just getting this paperwork, wasn't you?- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16With Craig and Tom doggedly listing the computers,
0:33:16 > 0:33:18the man, again, heads off.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24Shortly afterwards, a solicitor turns up.
0:33:24 > 0:33:25Hello, sir.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27My name's Peggs, I'm a solicitor.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31The solicitor wants to have the case explained to him
0:33:31 > 0:33:32away from our camera.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Craig tells the solicitor that he's been listing goods
0:33:37 > 0:33:40to remove and auction if need be, to pay off the debt.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43But although the message was taken on board,
0:33:43 > 0:33:45a quarter of an hour later, nothing's happened.
0:33:49 > 0:33:54With no company director, and no money, it's back to plan A -
0:33:54 > 0:33:56time to turn off the computers.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58Do you want to start shutting this one down now?
0:33:58 > 0:34:00I want to start packing this away from this end.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02I'm sorry, I'm not waiting any longer.
0:34:02 > 0:34:03SHE TALKS ON PHONE
0:34:06 > 0:34:08They're in the lift? Right.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10- Hello again.- Hello. Can we have another quick word?
0:34:10 > 0:34:12Yes, by all means.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14The solicitor is back.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16He explains that the woman waiting outside
0:34:16 > 0:34:18is one of the company directors
0:34:18 > 0:34:24and she's agreed to make a payment of 10,000 of the £34,000 debt now.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32It's a great result for the former student and for Craig and Tom,
0:34:32 > 0:34:34whose persistence has paid off.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37As the payment goes through,
0:34:37 > 0:34:41the solicitor wants to put the company's side of the story.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43My name's Regan Peggs. I'm a solicitor.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46The company does not accept that it owes this debt to the claimant,
0:34:46 > 0:34:49and in fact, there are three defendants on this order.
0:34:49 > 0:34:50They don't accept that
0:34:50 > 0:34:52they're linked to the other two defendants either.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54It's their intention in due course
0:34:54 > 0:34:56to apply to have the order set aside.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59Um, from a practical point of view of course, they've had to...
0:34:59 > 0:35:01They know that they need to open up tomorrow,
0:35:01 > 0:35:03so they're paying £10,000,
0:35:03 > 0:35:06which they will hope to reclaim in due course.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10- Thanks for your time.- Thank you very much.- Take care.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13The sheriffs are walking away with a third of the debt paid,
0:35:13 > 0:35:16and have listed goods on paper to guarantee the rest
0:35:16 > 0:35:19until the case is settled satisfactorily.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24To be fair and honest with you, there were ten desks and ten chairs
0:35:24 > 0:35:27- and ten computers...- Limited value. - ..of, you know, limited value.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31And to walk out of there with £10,000, it's a good result
0:35:31 > 0:35:32compared with the fact
0:35:32 > 0:35:35that the asset value in the premises was minimal.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41And, since we filmed, the £10,000 payment taken by the sheriffs
0:35:41 > 0:35:46was accepted in full and final settlement by the former student.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49The case is now considered closed by all parties.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02Even when the sheriffs successfully enforce a writ
0:36:02 > 0:36:05and the debtor pays up, it's not always the end of the story.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10This morning Lawrence and Kev are in the van
0:36:10 > 0:36:12heading for a familiar location.
0:36:14 > 0:36:15We're heading towards St Albans now.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17It's just coming up half past ten in the morning.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20We're going to Mediterranean Leisure.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Last year, Lawrence visited the company offices
0:36:25 > 0:36:27on behalf of Matthew McWilliams.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29Matthew had been a ski instructor
0:36:29 > 0:36:31for an associated company, Snowcoach.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34It was his dream job.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36Well, I started skiing when I was eight.
0:36:36 > 0:36:37It really is something that I care about,
0:36:37 > 0:36:40so as soon as I had the chance to leave university,
0:36:40 > 0:36:41I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47But Matthew soon discovered the job wasn't what he expected.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50He was having to deal with complaints from unhappy customers.
0:36:50 > 0:36:51Lots of them.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54All the problems were being put on me.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56And I felt as if I had to come up with the excuses
0:36:56 > 0:36:57for a company that I don't even work...
0:36:57 > 0:36:59That I had only been working for for a week.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02As the season unfolded, it got worse.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04Back home, Matthew's dad, Lawrence,
0:37:04 > 0:37:07realised things were going badly wrong.
0:37:07 > 0:37:12He was very concerned. He wished he was not in the situation
0:37:12 > 0:37:15and he felt an awful lot of stress.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18After three difficult and unhappy months,
0:37:18 > 0:37:22Matthew felt he had not option, but to leave the company.
0:37:22 > 0:37:27He handed in his notice, which he worked out, and came back to the UK.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31But Mediterranean Leisure hadn't paid him his final wages.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35And despite many reassurances, they still weren't paid.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37With Dad Lawrence's help,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Matthew took the company to an employment tribunal.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43It may have been a bad experience, but I left... I worked my notice.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45I did it... I did everything I needed to do,
0:37:45 > 0:37:48so I knew that they owed me that money.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50There was no way out of it, really.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56At the tribunal, Mediterranean Leisure failed to contest the case,
0:37:56 > 0:38:02and the judgment was issued, ordering them to pay the £647 wages.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06When they failed to do it, Matthew eventually turned to the sheriffs.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10And so, ten months previously,
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Lawrence and Kev paid Mediterranean Leisure a visit.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15I've got a High Court writ to execute today
0:38:15 > 0:38:18- against Mediterranean Leisure Group. - OK.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22Managing Director David Stewart threw a spanner in the works,
0:38:22 > 0:38:27insisting Mediterranean Leisure was not based here, but in France.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30He said nothing in the building could therefore be taken.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35Lawrence was having none of it and eventually won the day
0:38:35 > 0:38:38with the money being paid to the sheriffs.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41He just paid in full.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46Matthew's dad, Lawrence McWilliams got the good news
0:38:46 > 0:38:49that the money was in the sheriffs' account,
0:38:49 > 0:38:53but the McWilliams' delight was short-lived.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57We received a formal notification from the High Court
0:38:57 > 0:39:00that an interpleader claim had been received.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04The payment was being disputed.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07The money was still in the sheriffs' holding account
0:39:07 > 0:39:10and would stay there until this new legal action was complete.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14David Stewart, of Mediterranean Leisure, claimed
0:39:14 > 0:39:17that the payment made to Lawrence was invalid
0:39:17 > 0:39:19because he had paid on a credit card
0:39:19 > 0:39:21belonging to one of his other companies,
0:39:21 > 0:39:23Mountain Lodge Hotels Limited,
0:39:23 > 0:39:26that had nothing to do with Matthew's employment.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29The McWilliams' would have to appear at the High Court
0:39:29 > 0:39:32and if they lost, might have to pay costs.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36There are times, particularly lying in bed at night,
0:39:36 > 0:39:41where we both thought, "Are we doing the right thing?
0:39:41 > 0:39:43"Should we just give up here?"
0:39:43 > 0:39:46But we kept coming back to the same conclusion.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50He was entitled to the money. He should have been paid it
0:39:50 > 0:39:53and that we would do what was required to get justice.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57At the hearing, Mr Stewart was unable to show
0:39:57 > 0:39:59that the payment was invalid.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02It meant the money Lawrence had previously taken
0:40:02 > 0:40:04could be released to Matthew McWilliams.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10But Lawrence and Kev are heading back to St Albans,
0:40:10 > 0:40:13because that wasn't the end of the matter.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17David Stewart has ignored the Court's order
0:40:17 > 0:40:18for him to pay court costs,
0:40:18 > 0:40:21which were far more than the original wages.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25So, today, it's the sheriffs' job to get that money.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28We've got two writs today.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31We're looking for one for £602.30 on one of them
0:40:31 > 0:40:35and £1,688.67 on the other.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38The second writ is for the sheriffs' own court costs.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48- Is that where he was, up there? - Yeah.
0:40:48 > 0:40:49Buzzer.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Hello there, I'm looking for Mountain Lodge Hotels
0:40:53 > 0:40:56or Cantabrica Air Brokers.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00The woman says that there's no-one there from those companies.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02My name's Mr Grix. I'm here with some High Court writs,
0:41:02 > 0:41:06so I need to come in and verify for myself
0:41:06 > 0:41:07that there's nobody in.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10While they wait for the door to be opened,
0:41:10 > 0:41:13Lawrence wants to make sure all entrances are covered.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Just have a squiz around the back, mate.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18Just in case cos I don't know if there's a back door.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22Meanwhile, the intercom woman has news.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25Lawrence isn't getting in.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27Your director says you're not allowed to let me in...
0:41:27 > 0:41:29because of what?
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Lawrence is convinced he's found the place
0:41:32 > 0:41:34the companies on the writ are trading from
0:41:34 > 0:41:37and that means he will be going in.
0:41:37 > 0:41:38I have met Mr Stewart before.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41He's got five minutes to call me before I call locksmiths.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43OK? Thank you.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46There's a back door, but it's padlocked from the outside,
0:41:46 > 0:41:49so it's not used. There's three motors down there. Nothing any good.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51The director says she's allowed to let me in
0:41:51 > 0:41:52cos it's a different company.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56Who's your director? Mr Stewart. The director of our companies.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00With Lawrence's ultimatum about to run out, he gets a call.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02Hello, Mr Grix speaking.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04Oh, Mr Stewart. Yeah. It's Mr Grix.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09But Mr Stewart doesn't want to let Lawrence in.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Right. Well, I'm going to call the locksmith, then, sir.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14Effect entry into...effect entry into the premises
0:42:14 > 0:42:15and remove all the items.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18OK, then, sir. You do that.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23He's calling the police.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25See if Andy's around?
0:42:25 > 0:42:27Yeah, give him a buzz, mate, and see if he's around.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30It looks like the sheriffs will have to use their power
0:42:30 > 0:42:33to force entry to a commercial premises.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36Kev calls one of the lock companies they regularly use.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39Yep, he's on his way. Sat Nav's giving him 15 minutes, so...
0:42:39 > 0:42:42Lovely jubbly. Might as well sit in the van and have a coffee then.
0:42:42 > 0:42:43I reckon.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52A caffeine break later, and there's still no sign of Mr Stewart.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54But his solicitor is on the phone.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57We're effecting entry into a commercial premises
0:42:57 > 0:42:59under a High Court writ.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02If you don't understand all the implications of that
0:43:02 > 0:43:04and what it carries with it,
0:43:04 > 0:43:07then I respectfully suggest you speak to somebody who does.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10Rest assured, we will be forcing entry
0:43:10 > 0:43:13if we're not allowed peaceful entry and we will be removing goods
0:43:13 > 0:43:16from those premises today if these writs aren't paid in full.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18Right. Bye-bye.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20With the locksmith on the way
0:43:20 > 0:43:22and the prospect of the bill getting even higher,
0:43:22 > 0:43:25someone comes out of the building to talk.
0:43:25 > 0:43:28- Hi. How can you pay it? - Bank transfer, credit card...
0:43:28 > 0:43:31- Debit card.- Is that what he's going to...is that what he's going to do?
0:43:31 > 0:43:35Well, that's what I'm trying to persuade him to do, yeah.
0:43:35 > 0:43:40And to prove the sheriffs weren't bluffing, here comes the locksmith.
0:43:40 > 0:43:43The lock father.
0:43:43 > 0:43:44The lock matching vans, innit?
0:43:46 > 0:43:49But just in time, the company confirms they are going to pay.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53- And how much did you say it was for the card?- Debit card, is it?
0:43:53 > 0:43:55- Yeah.- £5.- £5.
0:43:56 > 0:43:58Our camera is asked to stay outside
0:43:58 > 0:44:01while Lawrence goes to collect the payment.
0:44:04 > 0:44:07And moments later, it's mission accomplished.
0:44:09 > 0:44:11Full payment again. I like that.
0:44:11 > 0:44:14Onto the next one. Let's rock.
0:44:17 > 0:44:19It's been another battle between Lawrence
0:44:19 > 0:44:21and the company director David Stewart...
0:44:23 > 0:44:24..but a successful one.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27He's got young ski instructor Matthew McWilliams
0:44:27 > 0:44:30the court costs a judge said he was due,
0:44:30 > 0:44:34but which he couldn't get without the help of the sheriffs.
0:44:43 > 0:44:47Sheriffs Darryl Oreton and Mark Povey are in East Anglia
0:44:47 > 0:44:49about to bring some unwelcome news
0:44:49 > 0:44:52to a firm in the demolition business.
0:44:52 > 0:44:58Just coming into Suffolk now. Company called KT Demolition Ltd.
0:44:58 > 0:45:01They've been sued in the High Courts by another company.
0:45:01 > 0:45:04And we're there for just under £9,000.
0:45:05 > 0:45:08The company took KT Demolition to court
0:45:08 > 0:45:10for work it carried out for them,
0:45:10 > 0:45:13but for which it wasn't fully paid.
0:45:13 > 0:45:15KT Demolition contested the claim,
0:45:15 > 0:45:18but the court awarded in the other company's favour.
0:45:18 > 0:45:20But they've still not received the money they're owed.
0:45:20 > 0:45:24So now, it's up to Darryl and Mark, to get it for them.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32Arriving at KT Demolition's trading premises,
0:45:32 > 0:45:35it's clear they're not dealing with a multi-national.
0:45:35 > 0:45:36DOG BARKS
0:45:36 > 0:45:38- Afternoon.- Hello.
0:45:38 > 0:45:43I guess you're Keith Totman? We've got a High Court writ.
0:45:43 > 0:45:46It's not against you. It's against your company, KT Demolition Ltd.
0:45:46 > 0:45:49- Right.- We've come out today to collect the...
0:45:49 > 0:45:51the amount, which is just under £9,000.
0:45:51 > 0:45:54- You aware of this, of...? - No, I'm not.
0:45:54 > 0:45:56You're not aware of the debt at all?
0:45:56 > 0:46:01- I am because I went to court over this.- Right.- Right and the court...
0:46:02 > 0:46:04The court then...
0:46:06 > 0:46:10..turned round and sort of, like, mauled us straight out of court.
0:46:11 > 0:46:13- Right.- But that is it.
0:46:13 > 0:46:16But that's not what the court documents say.
0:46:16 > 0:46:19- See, we've got the original judgment case.- Right.
0:46:19 > 0:46:21Where the debt was...
0:46:22 > 0:46:26You've been ordered that the judgement for the claimant is £6,869.10
0:46:26 > 0:46:32- and also to pay £250 costs payable within 14 days.- Right.
0:46:32 > 0:46:34Because you haven't done that.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36- I don't know anything about it. - Right.
0:46:36 > 0:46:40- I mean, did you attend the court hearing?- Yeah.
0:46:40 > 0:46:43- I did.- On 28th May?- Yeah, I went, in Norwich.
0:46:43 > 0:46:47- Right.- I offered to pay an amount so much.- Yeah.- I didn't...
0:46:47 > 0:46:52I didn't refuse the debt or nothing. All right? So, I said yeah...
0:46:52 > 0:46:55I'd pay, but he wouldn't accept it.
0:46:55 > 0:46:57He wouldn't accept it!
0:46:57 > 0:47:00- He wouldn't accept instalments? - He wouldn't... No.- Right.
0:47:00 > 0:47:03- No, he wouldn't.- He wanted it in one go.- No, he did and I didn't have it.
0:47:03 > 0:47:05- Right.- So what do you do when you haven't got it?
0:47:06 > 0:47:11Whatever Mr Totman's excuses, Darryl needs the debt pay in today.
0:47:11 > 0:47:15- So, what are you going to do now? - We would possibly remove assets.
0:47:18 > 0:47:22Is this is where you are trading from, is it, yeah?
0:47:22 > 0:47:25What about the vehicle, is that in your name or the company name?
0:47:25 > 0:47:28- The company. - That's in the company name?- Yeah.
0:47:28 > 0:47:31Do you want to try? Do you want to try making some phone calls?
0:47:31 > 0:47:34I mean, that's...that's more than nine grand, that is.
0:47:34 > 0:47:35- That is, yeah.- Yeah.
0:47:35 > 0:47:38Would you be not better off trying to get the money raised
0:47:38 > 0:47:40as opposed for us taking...
0:47:40 > 0:47:41removing that today?
0:47:42 > 0:47:45Darryl's being as helpful as he can.
0:47:45 > 0:47:48If he has to, he'll take the Range Rover to pay off the debt.
0:47:48 > 0:47:52But it would be easier for him, not to mention cheaper for Mr Totman,
0:47:52 > 0:47:55if he could raise the cash another way.
0:47:55 > 0:47:56We'd rather give you a bit of time now...
0:47:56 > 0:47:59I know you say you don't know anybody with that money,
0:47:59 > 0:48:02but get on the phone, make some phone calls, see what you can raise.
0:48:02 > 0:48:03Rather than us phoning a truck
0:48:03 > 0:48:06to come and collect your vehicle straightaway.
0:48:06 > 0:48:09At this stage, Darryl and Mark are invited in
0:48:09 > 0:48:11to speak to Mr Totman in private.
0:48:11 > 0:48:13We're asked to stay outside.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16DOGS BARK
0:48:16 > 0:48:19Soon after, Mr Totman's wife arrives to help him out.
0:48:21 > 0:48:24Faced with a High Court writ, two sheriffs in his house
0:48:24 > 0:48:27and a very vulnerable-looking Range Rover on his drive,
0:48:27 > 0:48:32it doesn't take Mr Totman long to realise this debt isn't going away.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36After discussions with his wife,
0:48:36 > 0:48:40they agree to pay on her credit card.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43Do you want it on credit or debit? Giving him the option.
0:48:46 > 0:48:49The money goes through without a problem.
0:48:49 > 0:48:53Keith Totman, meanwhile, wants to put his side of the story.
0:48:54 > 0:48:56I feel sick.
0:48:56 > 0:48:59Absolutely sick. When I offered to pay the man,
0:48:59 > 0:49:01he wasn't satisfied with that.
0:49:01 > 0:49:04He wanted the whole lot in one hit.
0:49:04 > 0:49:05Like I said, "I can't do it."
0:49:05 > 0:49:08So, next thing, I'm in court.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11I told them on the paperwork when I went to the Courts
0:49:11 > 0:49:13and told them what the score was.
0:49:13 > 0:49:16Went to Norwich and they slung it out.
0:49:16 > 0:49:20- Next thing, you boys are on my doorstep- (BLEEP)- wanting the money,
0:49:20 > 0:49:23which I've just paid.
0:49:23 > 0:49:26DOGS BARK
0:49:26 > 0:49:27I'll put my Jack Russells on you.
0:49:32 > 0:49:33Where are you, Jack?
0:49:37 > 0:49:40It's a good score for Darryl and Mark
0:49:40 > 0:49:42and means the company that brought the case
0:49:42 > 0:49:45will finally get the money that's rightfully theirs.
0:49:57 > 0:50:00Sheriffs know they can't always trust the things
0:50:00 > 0:50:01that debtors tell them.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04More often than not, they have to use their judgment
0:50:04 > 0:50:07to assess the best way to deal with a situation.
0:50:09 > 0:50:13Someone who trusts his judgment more than most is Sheriff Lawrence.
0:50:13 > 0:50:16Today, he and Kev are in Cambridgeshire
0:50:16 > 0:50:20to help a car owner get £6,000 from garage owner Stuart Pearson,
0:50:20 > 0:50:23who trades as Arrington Motors.
0:50:25 > 0:50:27The lady bought a dodgy car from Mr Pearson.
0:50:27 > 0:50:30She returned it and asked for a full refund,
0:50:30 > 0:50:33which he agreed to, but then he hasn't paid.
0:50:33 > 0:50:36Customer Laura Windley took the case to court.
0:50:36 > 0:50:38Stuart Pearson didn't contest it
0:50:38 > 0:50:42and the judgment ordered that she should receive her money.
0:50:42 > 0:50:46But she hasn't been paid, so she's got the sheriffs in.
0:50:51 > 0:50:55Lawrence knows a thing or two about second-hand cars.
0:50:55 > 0:50:58I've bought a couple of lemons in the past.
0:50:58 > 0:51:00Sliced them up and put them in my gin and tonic.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03HE LAUGHS SILENTLY
0:51:03 > 0:51:07This is what I have to deal with on a day-to-day basis.
0:51:10 > 0:51:11Arrington Motor Company.
0:51:11 > 0:51:13But at Arrington Motors,
0:51:13 > 0:51:16there's no sign of the defendant Stuart Pearson.
0:51:16 > 0:51:20- We're here early.- Uh-huh.- It's shut, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:51:20 > 0:51:23But conveniently, Mr Pearson has left his phone number.
0:51:23 > 0:51:26Kev does the honours.
0:51:26 > 0:51:27Hiya. Is that Mr Pearson?
0:51:27 > 0:51:30Yeah, we've got a High Court writ against yourself
0:51:30 > 0:51:35and we're here to remove goods unless the amount is paid.
0:51:35 > 0:51:36All right. Cheers. Bye-bye.
0:51:39 > 0:51:40He's about 40 minutes away.
0:51:43 > 0:51:48Mr Pearson says that most of the cars on the forecourt are on SOR,
0:51:48 > 0:51:51or sale or return, but a number do belong to him.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54If they don't get payment today, the cars could be towed
0:51:54 > 0:51:57and auctioned to get Laura her money back.
0:51:57 > 0:51:59So, you got that. That's his.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02- That one.- Yeah, the Range Rover's a bit rough.- Yeah.
0:52:03 > 0:52:06But their listing of vehicles is brought to an end
0:52:06 > 0:52:09by the arrival of the garage owner himself.
0:52:09 > 0:52:11- Mr Pearson.- I'll show you some ID.
0:52:13 > 0:52:15We're asked to stay outside.
0:52:15 > 0:52:16Since Kev's phone call,
0:52:16 > 0:52:19it seems Mr Pearson has been arranging to get the money.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25Mr Pearson says he's going to pay in cash,
0:52:25 > 0:52:28but it will take an hour for the man he's borrowing it off
0:52:28 > 0:52:30to come round with the money.
0:52:30 > 0:52:31While they wait for him,
0:52:31 > 0:52:35he points out the cars that are held in his name.
0:52:35 > 0:52:38Mr Pearson's been OK with us, but I've obviously explained
0:52:38 > 0:52:40that we're not going to go anywhere until it's paid.
0:52:40 > 0:52:44So, it's now just a case of waiting for a phone call from his friend.
0:52:46 > 0:52:49But it's not going to happen any time soon.
0:52:49 > 0:52:53The friend is delayed and the money won't be here until more like 6pm.
0:52:55 > 0:52:57Lawrence has had enough for today.
0:52:57 > 0:52:59There are seven cars belonging to Mr Pearson
0:52:59 > 0:53:01with enough value to clear the debt.
0:53:01 > 0:53:04He lists all seven of them.
0:53:04 > 0:53:05They'll stay here,
0:53:05 > 0:53:08but could be removed and auctioned at a later date
0:53:08 > 0:53:09to clear the debt if need be.
0:53:09 > 0:53:12Basically, it's a case of trust. I trust him.
0:53:12 > 0:53:16I've given him until noon tomorrow to pay in £6,000
0:53:16 > 0:53:19and then the balance just after the weekend.
0:53:19 > 0:53:20And I have no doubt he will do that.
0:53:20 > 0:53:23If I had any doubts, I wouldn't have made the arrangement.
0:53:23 > 0:53:27Famous last words possibly, but we...we usually get it right.
0:53:27 > 0:53:29We are fairly good at judging people by now.
0:53:31 > 0:53:35But Lawrence's faith in Mr Pearson turned out to be misjudged.
0:53:35 > 0:53:38Neither the £6,000 nor the balance was paid.
0:53:41 > 0:53:45It means some weeks later, Sheriffs Darryl Oreton and Mark Povey
0:53:45 > 0:53:47have been sent to finish the job.
0:53:47 > 0:53:51If need be by removing the listed vehicles.
0:53:51 > 0:53:54As Darryl and Mark arrived at Arrington Motors,
0:53:54 > 0:53:57there's no sign of Mr Pearson.
0:53:57 > 0:53:58There's no-one here.
0:54:00 > 0:54:02Darryl calls Mr Pearson's mobile.
0:54:05 > 0:54:06It is international, isn't it?
0:54:08 > 0:54:09He's on holiday.
0:54:11 > 0:54:13The only way Darryl will get the money today
0:54:13 > 0:54:16is to use the sheriff's ultimate sanction
0:54:16 > 0:54:20and tow away Mr Pearson's cars for them to be auctioned.
0:54:20 > 0:54:24When Lawrence and Kev were here, they listed seven vehicles
0:54:24 > 0:54:26and these are the ones Darryl and Mark will take,
0:54:26 > 0:54:29but first they have to find them.
0:54:29 > 0:54:30Ford KA's there.
0:54:32 > 0:54:34There's no red Range Rover, is there?
0:54:34 > 0:54:37That's the Kia. That's there.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40That's the Renault Phoenix. So, we've got one, two...
0:54:40 > 0:54:43We've got three.
0:54:43 > 0:54:46Several cars, now owned by the Court, aren't there.
0:54:46 > 0:54:48It looks like we've got four missing.
0:54:50 > 0:54:54Obviously, we've tried to get a hold of him. He's not here.
0:54:54 > 0:54:55Just three cars still here,
0:54:55 > 0:54:58so we're going to have those three removed
0:54:58 > 0:55:01and we're organising a removal truck...
0:55:01 > 0:55:02or two...
0:55:02 > 0:55:04or three.
0:55:04 > 0:55:06Oh, well. Might as well get comfy.
0:55:10 > 0:55:15After a bit of waiting around, the tow truck arrives.
0:55:15 > 0:55:17With no-one from Arrington Motors on site,
0:55:17 > 0:55:21there are no keys or documents available for any of the cars.
0:55:21 > 0:55:24This makes them less valuable at auction,
0:55:24 > 0:55:26but there's a more immediate issue.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29How to move the keyless cars without damaging them?
0:55:34 > 0:55:37The recovery man makes short work of the KA.
0:55:38 > 0:55:42Not to be outdone, Darryl tries the boot of the Renault.
0:55:42 > 0:55:44Ta-da! HE LAUGHS
0:55:44 > 0:55:47But Darryl isn't having any luck with the Kia.
0:55:47 > 0:55:49I ain't got the magic on this one.
0:55:52 > 0:55:54At last, the end is in sight.
0:55:56 > 0:56:00The first two cars are being towed, and the problem of the locked Kia
0:56:00 > 0:56:02will be sorted out by the recovery firm.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06He's going to take these to a storage place now,
0:56:06 > 0:56:08so we can go to our next job.
0:56:10 > 0:56:12But following the cars' removal,
0:56:12 > 0:56:15there were no further payments from Mr Pearson.
0:56:15 > 0:56:17The cars were therefore auctioned.
0:56:17 > 0:56:20Although they didn't raise quite as much as the debt,
0:56:20 > 0:56:23it meant the sheriffs did manage to get Laura Windley
0:56:23 > 0:56:25at least some of the money she was owed.