0:00:01 > 0:00:02Meet the sheriffs.
0:00:02 > 0:00:03Let's go and introduce ourselves.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05High Court enforcement officers.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07We are here today to execute a High Court writ.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Their job is to get you your money back.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13It is 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 > 0:00:19- I'm not waiting any more.- I'm ordered to seize goods to clear this debt,
0:00:19 > 0:00:21which would mean clearing this place out.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24..if you've been to court but still not been paid what you're owed...
0:00:24 > 0:00:28- Why don't you just tell me who you are?- This is an absolute crock.
0:00:28 > 0:00:29You need to pay this.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31..it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33I've seized your car, sir.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35You can let us through the door or we will go through the window.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:00:37 > 0:00:39They're enforcement officers of the High Court
0:00:39 > 0:00:43and the law says they're on your side.
0:00:43 > 0:00:44Just collected 42 grand.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Coming up...
0:00:50 > 0:00:52Lucy Houghton won an injury claim
0:00:52 > 0:00:55when a tattoo removal left her scarred for life.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57A minor procedure like tattoo removal
0:00:57 > 0:01:00shouldn't cause third degree burns.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04Enforcement officer Pete Spencer confronts the salon owner,
0:01:04 > 0:01:06but will he get Lucy her money?
0:01:08 > 0:01:12When repairs to Mohammed Razaq's dream car went wrong,
0:01:12 > 0:01:14it cost him a fortune.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18It's cost me £8,000 to £9,000 and left me without a vehicle
0:01:18 > 0:01:20for six to seven months.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25Sheriffs, Lawrence and Kev, pay the garage a visit.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Can they get him the money he's owed?
0:01:27 > 0:01:30If you're acting on his authority to pay it, pay it!
0:01:30 > 0:01:34In East Anglia, Daryl and Mark encounter builder Keith Topman,
0:01:34 > 0:01:37who's not happy the sheriffs have come to call.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39I feel sick.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43He's been taken to court and ordered to pay his debts.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46- Next thing, you boys are on my doorstep,- BLEEP- wanting the money.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52But first, enforcement officer Pete Spencer is on the lookout
0:01:52 > 0:01:54for a business in West Yorkshire.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Next, we're off to Mytholmroyd near Halifax.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02This is a case of tattoo removal that went badly wrong.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10The person Pete's on his way to help,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13is Lucy Houghton from Todmorden in West Yorkshire.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15She's a professional beauty therapist,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18dedicated to making other people look as good as she possibly can.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23I do nails, massage, eye treatments, waxing, that kind of thing.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26When I started at college, I just loved it
0:02:26 > 0:02:28and it's been my passion ever since.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32But Lucy herself was given a cosmetic procedure so bad,
0:02:32 > 0:02:36it left her physically and emotionally scarred for life,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40forced to go to court and to the doors of the sheriffs for help.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Lucy's problems started after she got offered her dream job,
0:02:47 > 0:02:49working as a beauty therapist on a cruise ship.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53I was trying to mix a little bit of work with pleasure,
0:02:53 > 0:02:55be able to meet new people, have fun.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59But the job came with a strict condition.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Lucy had a butterfly tattoo on her left wrist.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05If she wanted the job, she would have to get it removed.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08When I found out I had to get rid of my tattoo,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11I was obviously devastated. But turning down the job
0:03:11 > 0:03:13on the ship was never a consideration for me.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18She'd heard about a laser procedure offered by a local beauty parlour,
0:03:18 > 0:03:20Hair and Beauty World of Mytholmroyd,
0:03:20 > 0:03:22near Halifax, run by Howard Pilling.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27My mum had been there before. She'd started having a tattoo removed.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29I'd been there for my hair done before.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32It was a salon that had been recommended by other people.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35Howard, the man that carried out the treatment for me, made me
0:03:35 > 0:03:38feel really confident that it was going to work.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41He showed me evidence of other people that he'd treated.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45He was a professional. He was the one I was taking advice from,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47so I believed everything that he told me.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52It wasn't cheap but it was what she wanted, so Lucy paid them £800
0:03:52 > 0:03:55for as many sessions as it took to complete the job.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58The first few treatments were unpleasant,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01but fitted in with what she'd been told to expect.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05But when Lucy went back for her fifth session,
0:04:05 > 0:04:07something had changed.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Howard informed me he'd got a new machine.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14It would be quicker and less painful, which obviously for me, was a bonus.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16It's a painful process to go through anyway
0:04:16 > 0:04:19and to have it a little bit easier was something
0:04:19 > 0:04:22I was thrilled about, so I was happy to go forward with the treatment.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26During the treatment, I found that it was more painful,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29with a lot more heat and a lot more depth to it.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32It had me in tears. I couldn't breath properly.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34The machine, it kept cutting out.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36I had a friend with me and she asked me
0:04:36 > 0:04:39if I was OK because I was crying that much
0:04:39 > 0:04:41and I just said to her don't talk to me or I'll be sick
0:04:41 > 0:04:45and then at that point Howard asked me if I was OK,
0:04:45 > 0:04:47which I replied that it was a lot more painful
0:04:47 > 0:04:51than usual and he just told me that we were nearly finished.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53He rubbed some aloe vera gel on it at the end and told me
0:04:53 > 0:04:55everything would be fine.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01But a few days after the procedure, Lucy's wrist became inflamed.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05It wasn't until a week later that I realised things weren't
0:05:05 > 0:05:07going as they normally would.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09When you touched it after the blisters had popped,
0:05:09 > 0:05:11it was like jelly under the skin.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14I went to the doctors and it was there that they told me
0:05:14 > 0:05:18I had an infection and I was put on antibiotics.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Then after that, it still didn't heal.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23The skin came off and you could see all the jelly underneath.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Lucy took herself to Accident and Emergency.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30The doctors told her she had third degree burns
0:05:30 > 0:05:32and a serious infection.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36When I found out that I had third degree burns,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38I was obviously a little bit mortified.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40It's not something you expect from a procedure like that,
0:05:40 > 0:05:42from having a tattoo lasered.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Sorry, I'm a little bit emotional about it.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53But Lucy still didn't realise how serious the situation was.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55I was a little bit naive
0:05:55 > 0:05:58and carried on thinking it would heal normally and I'd carry on
0:05:58 > 0:06:01with the procedure and still get to go on the cruise ships.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04The wound took weeks to heal
0:06:04 > 0:06:07and Lucy's dream of working on the cruise ships faded.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13Far from disappearing, the burn formed a disfiguring scar.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Lucy was still in considerable pain
0:06:15 > 0:06:18and for a while, lost some use of her hand.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22I struggled to have a bath on my own, do my hair on my own,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25just because of the pain and not being able to make a fist
0:06:25 > 0:06:26or use my hand properly.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30Lucy's mum, Hazel, was shocked at how the treatment
0:06:30 > 0:06:32affected her daughter.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36Lucy changed from being a bright and vivacious young female,
0:06:36 > 0:06:37with a life ahead of her.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41She more or less overnight into someone that was very withdrawn.
0:06:41 > 0:06:42She didn't want to go out.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45She didn't really want to communicate with anybody
0:06:45 > 0:06:47and she was quite an angry young lady.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52The hospital told Lucy she would need a skin graft.
0:06:52 > 0:06:58They took skin from my thigh and put it on my wrist. As you can see,
0:06:58 > 0:06:59it's still quite a severe scar
0:06:59 > 0:07:03and it's not going to heal any more than that.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Appalled at what had happened to her,
0:07:05 > 0:07:06and determined to get justice,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Lucy took salon boss, Howard Pilling, to court.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12He contested the case.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14So, when we attended court for the final hearing,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17it had been a very emotional and difficult time for me
0:07:17 > 0:07:19and I struggled with it, I really did.
0:07:21 > 0:07:22Sorry.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28The case was heard in the small claims' court,
0:07:28 > 0:07:32where Lucy got the maximum person injury award of £1,000,
0:07:32 > 0:07:35a refund of the treatment fee and costs.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40When the judge awarded the case in our favour, I broke down.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42I couldn't believe it.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45It was such a relief for it to all be finally over and to know
0:07:45 > 0:07:50that I'd got what I deserved and that I wasn't fighting a lost cause.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53The judge praised my mum and I for what we'd done.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01In total, Mr Pilling was ordered to pay Lucy £2,430.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04He agreed to pay in £500 instalments
0:08:04 > 0:08:06but the payments stopped.
0:08:06 > 0:08:07Despite all the pain caused,
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Lucy still hasn't been paid what she's owed.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Now, over four years after the treatment,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22it's time for Pete to make sure the salon boss pays what's due.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Pete doesn't know the details of Lucy's story,
0:08:28 > 0:08:30but he knows he has to get her the money.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32Hiya. You OK?
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- Looking for a Mr Pilling.- Yeah. - Is he about?- He is, yeah.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38The staff seem surprised to see Pete,
0:08:38 > 0:08:41who is fairly obviously not a customer.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43He's looking for Howard Pilling,
0:08:43 > 0:08:46the man who performed the disastrous tattoo removal.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51Hiya, good afternoon. Enforcement officer.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53I've got a High Court writ to attend here today.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Do you want to speak through here? A High Court writ.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00Do you want to speak through here, not in front of your customers?
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Well, you're not filming me.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Mr Pilling doesn't want to appear on television
0:09:06 > 0:09:08and our camera is asked to go outside
0:09:08 > 0:09:11while Pete outlines the case.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Lucy Houghton and Hazel Woodall. We've come to collect the money.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Mr Pilling says he has no money.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19OK, we'll be removing goods then.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22We'll just have to take whatever we can to try
0:09:22 > 0:09:24and recover the outstanding.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26I'll order a removal truck.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28The best idea is to pay something, to be fair.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Mr Pilling says he has already paid the claimant £1,000,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35so Pete asks the office to check with her.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37I'm just with the defendant at the moment.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41He's just saying two payments, value of £1,000 have been cashed
0:09:41 > 0:09:44but there's no credit shown on my paperwork.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47OK. No problem. Thanks, bye.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50She has confirmed you've paid £1,000.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52You're still in breach of your court order, I'm afraid,
0:09:52 > 0:09:55so you still have to pay the remainder.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00Mr Pilling was supposed to be making five payments of £500.
0:10:00 > 0:10:01But he's only made two,
0:10:01 > 0:10:05so the court has ordered Pete to collect all of the rest.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07But Mr Pilling won't pay.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10You're refusing to pay anything, yeah?
0:10:12 > 0:10:13With no payment forthcoming,
0:10:13 > 0:10:17Pete is going to seize goods to sell at auction.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19The salon owner suggests seizing just one item,
0:10:19 > 0:10:21that's worth the amount owed.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25If you want to show me that item and I'll value it and see if it is.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28Pete's shown a laser the owner claims cost £25,000
0:10:28 > 0:10:32and will be worth at least £2,500.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34This is going to do nothing in auction.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36I can get an auction value on that.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39It would be £100 or something stupid.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41It would cost more than that to remove it.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Mr Pilling produces another tattoo removing laser.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46A tattoo removal one, is it?
0:10:46 > 0:10:51He's talking about a £25,000 tattoo-removal machine
0:10:51 > 0:10:56which looks in between £300-£500 at auction value to me.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Even if Pete seizes goods,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01it will be cheaper to pay the full amount.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04I'd rather you sort it, rather than lose your goods
0:11:04 > 0:11:06and then I'm back next week because I've only got £200.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09As we speak it's £2,544.19.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Any time I spend on site will be chargeable after an hour
0:11:12 > 0:11:15and then you've got recovery costs and storage fees
0:11:15 > 0:11:16and auction fees on top.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Mr Pilling is thinking of paying.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21It's got to be cleared funds, yes.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Debit card, credit card, cash or bank transfer.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28But in case the payment doesn't appear, Pete heads into the salon
0:11:28 > 0:11:31to continue seizing equipment owned by the business.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34One of the stylists asks how long Pete will be around for,
0:11:34 > 0:11:38as they are expecting a busy Friday afternoon.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40It'll be closed today, potentially,
0:11:40 > 0:11:42if he doesn't sort it out.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Items have been seized to the value of the outstanding debt.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50I've given him 10-15 minutes to make some phone calls to raise
0:11:50 > 0:11:52the funds, rather than us remove goods.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54Faced with having several items seized
0:11:54 > 0:11:58and removal costs on top, the defendant has a change of heart
0:11:58 > 0:12:01and finds someone to pay the money for him.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04He's got his daughter en route with a credit card.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06That's going to pay the balance in full.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10She's about 5-10 minutes away, so hopefully once she arrives,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13the credit card will work and we'll have a full payment.
0:12:14 > 0:12:15Yeah, will do.
0:12:15 > 0:12:16The card has arrived.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Do you want to do it out here, then you're not disturbing your customers.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25All right.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Although Pete offers the option of doing the payment discreetly,
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Mr Pilling doesn't seem to mind
0:12:29 > 0:12:31people knowing the sheriffs have called.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- Pardon?- I'll try and be as discreet as what we can.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47If you can just pop your PIN number
0:12:47 > 0:12:49in there and then press the green button, please.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Just need a signature off there. That's your receipt for payment.
0:12:53 > 0:12:59When Lucy Houghton came here in 2009, she left scarred for life.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Finally, the salon has paid her the money she's due.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05All cleared up, paid in full.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Money will be going to the claimant now.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11This money that I'm going to be receiving just means that I'll have
0:13:11 > 0:13:14closure on everything that's happened in the last four years.
0:13:14 > 0:13:15It means I can move on with my life
0:13:15 > 0:13:18and aim for that dream job that I've wanted to do
0:13:18 > 0:13:21for the past four years and I can finally go ahead and do that.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24It's going to help finance my time in London, during the training period
0:13:24 > 0:13:26before I actually get on the cruise ship.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28I'd just like to say a massive thank you
0:13:28 > 0:13:31to Pete Spencer. I wouldn't have been able to do it without you.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Thanks a lot!
0:13:33 > 0:13:35These days, sheriffs are officially called
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Enforcement Officers of the High Court.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40We're High Court Enforcement Officers.
0:13:40 > 0:13:41We're Enforcement Officers.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44I'm an Enforcement Officer. I've got a High Court writ.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46If you've been awarded money by a court
0:13:46 > 0:13:50but haven't been paid, the sheriffs can enforce a writ and get you what you're owed.
0:13:50 > 0:13:56I'm here with a court order to collect the sum of £34,311.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58£6,246.99.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01We've come to collect £12,056.76
0:14:03 > 0:14:06And if the debtor won't pay, the have the power to seize goods
0:14:06 > 0:14:10and have them sold at auction to pay off the debt.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13I'm going to call the locksmith then, sir.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15Effect entry into the premises and remove all the items.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18We'll keep them. So, that's now seized.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21Freddie's coming with us for today.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32In the rural north west of England,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35there's the prospect of a day enforcing writs in the countryside
0:14:35 > 0:14:39for Enforcement Officers Chris Pearson and Steve Hockborn.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43We're in Cumbria, on the way to Egremont this morning.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47We're looking for a company, Cumbria Roofing North West Ltd.
0:14:47 > 0:14:53We're looking for £2,913.69 on behalf of a Mrs Kathleen Anne Horton.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55It's a relatively small amount,
0:14:55 > 0:15:01so there should be enough assets to cover the debt. Let's go.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05Kathleen Horton paid Cumbria Roofing North West Ltd £3,000
0:15:05 > 0:15:09to apply a special liquid plastic waterproof coating to the stairs
0:15:09 > 0:15:12and balcony of her Cumbria property.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15But she wasn't happy with the quality of the work.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18The company eventually agreed to refund £1,800,
0:15:18 > 0:15:21but Kathleen never received the money.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25She took the company to court, where they contested the case.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28Mrs Horton won but the company didn't pay up.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32Now she's paid £60 to take her claim to the High Court
0:15:32 > 0:15:35and Chris and Steve are on their way to enforce the writ
0:15:35 > 0:15:36and get her money.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47The company is located a few miles south of Whitehaven in Cumbria.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50It's a bit grey but Chris wouldn't be anywhere else.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54It's the most beautiful place in the UK, as far as I'm concerned.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57The weather's not the best. The summer's very similar to the winter!
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Chris and Steve soon find Cumbria Roofing North West Ltd
0:16:02 > 0:16:04on an industrial estate.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Looks like there's somebody in.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13- Is there another entrance? - I'll have a look.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20What do you think? Hello?
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- Something's on in there. There's a phone number.- Yeah.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31Give them a ring and see if we can get someone here basically,
0:16:31 > 0:16:32to deal with the situation.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Could you give me a ring back urgently, please?
0:16:36 > 0:16:39The sheriffs have the right to enter commercial premises
0:16:39 > 0:16:40and seize property.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44If need be, they'll call a locksmith and force entry.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46But Steve is hoping to get someone to open up.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48No vans.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50PHONE RINGS
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Hello, sir. Is it possible for you to get back
0:16:52 > 0:16:54to the unit for us, please?
0:16:54 > 0:16:57It's Mr Pearson with a High Court writ.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59You're not going to pay it?
0:16:59 > 0:17:03Oh, right. Is there anybody who can come and deal with it for you?
0:17:04 > 0:17:08No, we can't come back tomorrow, sir. We need to deal with it now.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10We're here to seize goods from the property.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Now, we do at this stage have power to get a locksmith if needs be.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16I'd much rather deal with one of your employees or yourself.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18The concern you've got, sir, if you can't pay that,
0:17:18 > 0:17:21we've got a High Court writ to seize your goods.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24I can wait for you, not a problem. About an hour and a half, mate, yeah?
0:17:24 > 0:17:26Thanks a lot. Ta ta.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Hopefully, that will get him here.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31All we can do now is have a coffee and wait for him to turn up.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35Just two minutes later, someone does turn up but it's not the boss.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Are you from this unit here, love?
0:17:37 > 0:17:40- Have you just come to work, have you? - Yeah.- Right, OK.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42We'll let you get on with what you need to do
0:17:42 > 0:17:46and we can wait for... I think it was Kevin, on the phone.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49- We can wait for him.- No problem. - OK, thank you very much.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54As soon as she goes in we can follow her in.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57But there's something Chris and Steve have failed to spot.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01- Do you have a contact number for him, love?- I haven't.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- They were the keys for the unit. - No way!
0:18:05 > 0:18:07She's been told to come and get them.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09How many female roofers do you know?
0:18:09 > 0:18:10How did we not see them?
0:18:12 > 0:18:15The seasoned Enforcement Officers failed to spot that the keys
0:18:15 > 0:18:17to the unit were on the windowsill,
0:18:17 > 0:18:21and the woman was able to take them from under their noses.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Kevin, hi. It's Mr Pearson. I've just spoken to you.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28The lady who you've just spoken to to attend and remove the keys
0:18:28 > 0:18:32has done that. Now that's saying to me that you don't want
0:18:32 > 0:18:33to deal with this.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36Now... How long are you going to be, Kevin? You said and hour and a half
0:18:36 > 0:18:39but why have you asked the lady to come and take the keys away?
0:18:39 > 0:18:4330 minutes? Right, no problem. I'll see you when you get back then.
0:18:43 > 0:18:44Thank you. Ta ta now.
0:18:44 > 0:18:4730 minutes. We'll see if he turns up.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Can't believe we didn't spot them keys!
0:18:49 > 0:18:53That shows me that he's not interested in paying today.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57The man calls back. He asks our camera to leave his property.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00He says he will meet Chris but not in front of the cameras
0:19:00 > 0:19:03and will call again with details of the meeting place.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05PHONE RINGS
0:19:07 > 0:19:08Hello, can I help?
0:19:08 > 0:19:11The man has arrived but not wanting to be filmed,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14has concealed himself away from the company's unit.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Bridge? Oh, yeah, yeah. No problem mate, OK.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23Alone, Chris makes his way to the clandestine meeting place.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Steve waits for a few minutes.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Now he's going to help apply some pressure
0:19:40 > 0:19:42and hopefully get this case resolved.
0:19:42 > 0:19:43He's had enough time now.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46I think Chris should have been able to establish whether he's going to
0:19:46 > 0:19:49pay or not, so I will walk down and join him and leave the van here.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52But as Steve makes to join the other two under the bridge,
0:19:52 > 0:19:54he's stopped in his tracks.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58MOBILE RINGS
0:19:58 > 0:19:59Hello?
0:20:01 > 0:20:03Yep. Bring it round, yeah?
0:20:03 > 0:20:07He wants the card machine, he's going to pay in full.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11Payment in full - it's a result for the sheriffs.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14Steve takes the machine to the man's van on the other
0:20:14 > 0:20:17side of the bridge, but is quickly back.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Fella's not happy, but then again who would be?
0:20:20 > 0:20:22He's just about to pay three grand out
0:20:22 > 0:20:23that he should have paid months ago.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28And, finally, the writ is settled in full.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30But Steve can't help reflecting on the keys
0:20:30 > 0:20:33he reckons Chris failed to spot.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37I would have thought that Chris could have found them
0:20:37 > 0:20:39straightaway so I didn't go looking for them.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42The key issue was very funny.
0:20:43 > 0:20:44He needs to be back in the classroom
0:20:44 > 0:20:48for a couple of days, just to make sure he's up to scratch.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52He's paid his debt off. There was no great concern about that.
0:20:52 > 0:20:53No grievance about doing that.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57A little concerned about the costs, but such is life.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02A good result for Kathleen Horton, who will finally get the money
0:21:02 > 0:21:06she's due for the poor work done by Cumbria Roofing North West Ltd.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10For Chris and Steve, it's been a straightforward job, apart
0:21:10 > 0:21:14from the secret meetings under the bridge - and of course those keys.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18I'm just going to blame that on Steve wholly and fully -
0:21:18 > 0:21:19that's the end of the matter.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21I don't want to hear anything else about it.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35High Court Enforcement Officers, commonly known as sheriffs,
0:21:35 > 0:21:37have to enforce writs all over the country.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41Today was an especially early start for Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally,
0:21:41 > 0:21:45who have already put some miles under their belt before breakfast.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50We're just coming into Bristol at the moment.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52It's half past eight in the morning.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55We're going to a business called Clayton Cars,
0:21:55 > 0:21:57who are a BMW specialist garage.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04The person they're on their way to help
0:22:04 > 0:22:06is Mohammed Razaq from Bristol.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09He owns and runs an off licence in the city.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Recently, he decided to invest in a new car for pleasure
0:22:15 > 0:22:18and for work, buying a BMW 3 Series.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23My car was really important to me because I've got two businesses.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27You need to get around if you've got two businesses, obviously.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30I need to carry stock, carry my staff members.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32It's part of life, having your own car.
0:22:34 > 0:22:39Mohammed bought the car for £16,000 and looked forward to driving it.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41But, only a few days after purchasing it,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44the car encountered some minor problems.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Needing to get it fixed, Mohammed looked online,
0:22:47 > 0:22:50and soon thought he'd found the perfect place.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53It was called Clayton Cars, BMW specialists,
0:22:53 > 0:22:57so I thought, why not take it to them? They looked really professional.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Clayton Cars looked at the car and told him
0:23:00 > 0:23:02there were major problems with the engine.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04They said they could fix it,
0:23:04 > 0:23:07and Mohammed said he'd cover any costs and left it with them.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10After about three weeks, I called up the garage and I said,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13"I haven't heard anything. What's the latest?".
0:23:13 > 0:23:16They said there seems to be a problem, they cannot seem
0:23:16 > 0:23:19to work out what's wrong with the vehicle.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22I was kind of losing faith in the garage, but I thought, "They know
0:23:22 > 0:23:25"what they're doing, they're BMW specialists" and quite a few
0:23:25 > 0:23:27people had recommended me to them.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31Then after about six or seven weeks I got very impatient, because
0:23:31 > 0:23:34I was at this time worried about my vehicle, I had to catch lifts, I
0:23:34 > 0:23:37had to ask my missus for a lift, I had to ask my parents for lifts.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39So, I did really need my car.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43Mohammed says that over six weeks after they got the car,
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Clayton Cars told him they'd diagnosed problems
0:23:46 > 0:23:49with the catalytic converter and exhaust manifold.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54They said it would cost £3,169 to fix.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Mohammed was happy to bear the cost for his beloved BMW.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01A few weeks later, with the work done,
0:24:01 > 0:24:05Mohammed paid up the £3,169 and drove his car home.
0:24:05 > 0:24:10Really happy, it drove absolutely perfect for the first few hours.
0:24:10 > 0:24:15After three hours of not making no issues, it then had the engine
0:24:15 > 0:24:17management light flashing.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19The car was shaking again, the gearbox was shaking,
0:24:19 > 0:24:22the exhaust manifold was making a noise
0:24:22 > 0:24:26and the car revs - it wasn't still, it was revving up and down.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29Instantly, I knew that something's not right.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34Mohammed decided to take his car to another BMW specialist.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37They now diagnosed a fault with the NOx sensor,
0:24:37 > 0:24:41which detects potentially damaging gases in the exhaust of the car.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Mohammed says they told him it should have been replaced
0:24:44 > 0:24:46before any of the other repairs,
0:24:46 > 0:24:50because a faulty NOx sensor could harm key engine parts.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54It would cost another £3,500. Mohammed agreed.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57He says he asked Clayton Cars for a refund
0:24:57 > 0:25:00so he could pay this second bill, but they wouldn't pay.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06But until he paid their bill, the second garage held onto his car.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10So the vehicle should have been repaired in one week.
0:25:10 > 0:25:15It's cost me £8,000-9,000 and left me without a vehicle
0:25:15 > 0:25:17for six to seven months.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22He was left with no option but to take Clayton Cars to court.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26It made me feel like they're taking me for a joke because I'm
0:25:26 > 0:25:30just a young boy and they think that they could just fob me off.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33I thought, right, I'm going to go to court and get my money off them.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37Clayton Cars didn't contest it, and in their absence,
0:25:37 > 0:25:38the judgement went against them.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42Despite this, they still haven't paid the money awarded by the court.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45I've won my judgement. I still haven't received my money.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48If the sheriffs can't get the money then no-one will.
0:25:54 > 0:25:55It's now time for Lawrence
0:25:55 > 0:25:59and Kev to finally put an end to Mohammed's misery.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02- What's the name of them? - Clayton Cars.- That's it.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07First challenge - find the boss.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Mr Grix, I'm an Enforcement Officer.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14I've got a High Court writ to execute against Clayton Cars
0:26:14 > 0:26:16on behalf of a Mr Mohammed Razaq.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19We're ordered here by the court today to seize goods.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Are you in a position to pay, or do you need to contact the guv'nor?
0:26:22 > 0:26:24- I can try and contact him, yes. - Yeah, if you can do.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27Kev has a look round the workshop.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32As expected, there are plenty of assets that can be seized.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36The diagnostics as well, do you want to show that to us?
0:26:36 > 0:26:39- That thing over there? That's actually ours.- OK.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Kev's keen to list the diagnostic equipment.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47This kit is valuable, portable, and vital.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50If it's seized, it could stop the garage working.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54Lawrence and Kev want to pressure the garage into finding
0:26:54 > 0:26:57the boss and paying up as quickly as possible.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Taking an inventory
0:26:59 > 0:27:03and preparing to seize the gear usually has the desired effect.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07They've got a four-post lift over there, there's another four
0:27:07 > 0:27:11two-post lifts as well, so there's assets here if we need to remove.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Lawrence doesn't like hanging about,
0:27:13 > 0:27:18but if he's forced to, it might as well be in a well-equipped workshop.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21He'd love a workshop like this. Four-post lift, that's his dream.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23That's his lottery win, that is.
0:27:24 > 0:27:25Yes, indeed.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29But it's time to stop dreaming. The boss, Mr Sowden, has arrived.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34Morning. Right, I'll just show you my ID.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36That's the actual notice of seizure.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40The amount outstanding is £5,483.46 because it's been transferred up
0:27:40 > 0:27:42to the High Court for enforcement.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45- Sheriff's fees?!- Yep. - Who's the sheriff?
0:27:45 > 0:27:47- Are you the sheriff? - Our company, yeah.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53So, that's the amount that's outstanding, just under 5,500.
0:27:55 > 0:27:56I've got 483.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00The owner has already spoken to his solicitors,
0:28:00 > 0:28:03who have assured him they are dealing with the case.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07It's a little bit premature, cos they've done what they can do,
0:28:07 > 0:28:09and they're waiting to hear back from the court.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12The problem being we are here with a live writ
0:28:12 > 0:28:15which orders us to seize goods to clear the debt.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18This is what the solicitors sent you? Can you just scroll down?
0:28:22 > 0:28:25The paperwork is an application to set aside the case,
0:28:25 > 0:28:27but no decision has been made.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30Unfortunately an application doesn't prevent enforcement.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34It needs paying now, or we're going to carry on enforcing the writ.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38- We've taken an inventory of goods. - Why can't you just wait?
0:28:38 > 0:28:41Because we have a live writ which orders us...
0:28:41 > 0:28:43It's not a case of waiting.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46There was an order made for you to pay. You didn't.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50We've been ordered here today to seize goods to clear the debt
0:28:50 > 0:28:52and you've got plenty of goods here to clear the debt.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55What bits do you want to take out of this place?
0:28:55 > 0:28:58The main thing that leaps out is the diagnostic kit
0:28:58 > 0:29:02over there. I'm quite happy to wait for your solicitor to phone you back
0:29:02 > 0:29:03provided they're not hours,
0:29:03 > 0:29:07cos we've been here one hour and 40 minutes already.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10Lawrence is frustrated that the owner won't deal with the writ
0:29:10 > 0:29:12until his solicitor calls back.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17While they wait, Mr Sowden wants to explain his side of the story.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20Mohammed's car came into us
0:29:20 > 0:29:22probably about September, October last year.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26It wouldn't start. It was here for a month or six weeks.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30In the end, we got to the bottom of why it wouldn't start.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33He had to have a couple of parts on the exhaust system
0:29:33 > 0:29:35and a catalytic converter.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40We got the car running, it was all good.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43There was still one other thing to get done which we advised him to do.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46He continued to drive the car,
0:29:46 > 0:29:49so if he'd have had it done at the same time,
0:29:49 > 0:29:51we would not be talking about this now.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53Mohammed disputes this version of events.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57Meanwhile, Lawrence is hoping to enforce his writ -
0:29:57 > 0:30:00if Mr Sowden ever speaks to his solicitor.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03If you could get on it as quick as you can, I'd appreciate it.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08I think he considers us taking his stuff as an option.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Realistically, for him, that'd be a very expensive option.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15Really, you pay now and the money's held for 14 days, or your goods
0:30:15 > 0:30:19are taken and if you want to get them before they're sold at auction,
0:30:19 > 0:30:22you're then looking at another two grand on top
0:30:22 > 0:30:25just to buy your stuff back in time to stop it being sold.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30Again, the owner tries to get hold of his solicitor,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33and again he's told that they will call him back.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37Mohammed waited weeks for Clayton Cars to fix his BMW.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41The sheriffs have waited hours for him to respond to their writ.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Frustration is growing.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47When we return, we'll see if Clayton Cars pays up.
0:30:54 > 0:30:59Enforcement Officers Darryl Oreton and Mark Povey are in East Anglia,
0:30:59 > 0:31:01about to bring some unwelcome news
0:31:01 > 0:31:03to a firm in the demolition business.
0:31:04 > 0:31:10Just coming into Suffolk now. Company called KT Demolition Ltd.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13They've been sued in the high courts by another company,
0:31:13 > 0:31:16and we're there for just under £9,000.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21The company took KT Demolition to court for work it carried
0:31:21 > 0:31:24out for them but for which it wasn't fully paid.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27KT Demolition contested the claim,
0:31:27 > 0:31:30but the court awarded in the other company's favour.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33But they've still not received the money they're owed.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36So now, it's up to Darryl and Mark to get it for them.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Arriving at KT Demolition's trading premises, it's clear
0:31:45 > 0:31:49they're not dealing with a multi-national.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51Afternoon.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54I guess you're Keith Totman?
0:31:54 > 0:31:58I'm an Enforcement Officer for the High Court.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01We've got a High Court writ. It's not against yourself,
0:32:01 > 0:32:04it's against your company, KT Demolition Ltd.
0:32:04 > 0:32:09We've come out today to collect the amount, which is just under £9,000.
0:32:09 > 0:32:10Who are you?
0:32:10 > 0:32:14We're High Court Enforcement Officers. Are you aware of this?
0:32:14 > 0:32:17- No, I'm not.- You're not aware of the debt at all?
0:32:17 > 0:32:20I am, because I went to court over this,
0:32:20 > 0:32:23and the court,
0:32:23 > 0:32:26the court then...
0:32:28 > 0:32:31..turned around and more or less threw it out of court.
0:32:33 > 0:32:34That is it.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37But that's not what the court documents say.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40See, we've got the original judgement, Keith,
0:32:40 > 0:32:42where the debt was...
0:32:44 > 0:32:47You've been ordered that the judgement for the claimant
0:32:47 > 0:32:52is £6,869.10 and also to pay £250 costs, payable within 14 days.
0:32:52 > 0:32:57- Because you haven't done that... - I don't know anything about it.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00- I mean, did you attend the court hearing?- Yeah.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04- On the 28th May? - Yeah, I went to Norwich.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07- Right.- I offered to pay the man so much.
0:33:07 > 0:33:13I didn't refuse the debt, or nothing. So I said, yeah,
0:33:13 > 0:33:18I'd pay, but he wouldn't accept it, he wouldn't accept it.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22- He wouldn't accept instalments. - No.- He'd only accept it in one go.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26And I didn't have it. So what do you do when you haven't got it?
0:33:28 > 0:33:32Whatever Mr Totman's excuses, Darryl needs the debt paying today.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34So what are you going to do now?
0:33:34 > 0:33:38We would generally seize and possibly remove assets.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45- Is this where you are trading from? - Yeah.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50What about the vehicle, is that in your name or the company?
0:33:50 > 0:33:53- Company.- That's in the company name.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58- Do you want to try...- That's more than nine grand, that is.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02Would you not be better off trying to get the money raised,
0:34:02 > 0:34:05as opposed to us removing that today?
0:34:07 > 0:34:09Darryl's being as helpful as he can.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13If he has to, he'll take the Range Rover to pay off the debt.
0:34:13 > 0:34:14But it would be easier for him,
0:34:14 > 0:34:17not to mention cheaper for Mr Totman, if he could raise
0:34:17 > 0:34:20- the cash another way.- We'd rather give you a bit of time now to...
0:34:20 > 0:34:24I know you say you don't know anyone that can get you that money, but
0:34:24 > 0:34:26get on the phone, make some phone calls, see what you can raise,
0:34:26 > 0:34:31rather than us phoning a truck to come and collect your vehicle straightaway.
0:34:31 > 0:34:32At this stage, Darryl and Mark
0:34:32 > 0:34:35are invited in to speak to Mr Totman in private.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37We're asked to stay outside.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44Soon after, Mr Totman's wife arrives to help him out.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46Mr Totman is adamant he went to court
0:34:46 > 0:34:49and the judge threw out the case against them.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52But Darryl's High Court writ tells a very different story.
0:34:52 > 0:34:56I think you're getting confused, Keith. The original judgement
0:34:56 > 0:35:01was awarded to him and you were supposed to pay within 14 days.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04I think what's happened is you've disputed this,
0:35:04 > 0:35:10and in July you've tried to set the application for a set aside which
0:35:10 > 0:35:14means to go back to court, but that was dismissed.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18You've been to court there, you've lost your case,
0:35:18 > 0:35:21you've tried to take it back and that was thrown out.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24I can only go on what I've got there.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27Faced with a High Court writ, two Enforcement Officers
0:35:27 > 0:35:31in his house and a very vulnerable looking Range Rover on his drive,
0:35:31 > 0:35:35it doesn't take Mr Totman long to realise this debt isn't going away.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38After discussions with his wife,
0:35:38 > 0:35:40they agree to pay on her credit card.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44Do you want it on credit or debit? Giving him the option.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51There's the amount, if you want to enter your PIN and press "OK".
0:35:52 > 0:35:55The money goes through without a problem.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57I'll just give you the receipt.
0:35:57 > 0:36:02Keith Totman, meanwhile, wants to put his side of the story.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04I feel sick.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07Absolutely sick. When I offered to pay the man,
0:36:07 > 0:36:12he wasn't satisfied with that. He wanted the whole lot in one hit.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16Like I said, I can't do it. So, next thing, I'm in court.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19I told them on the paperwork when I writ to the courts
0:36:19 > 0:36:21and told them what the score was.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24Went to Norwich and they slung it out.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27- Next thing, you boys are on my doorstep- BLEEP- wanting
0:36:27 > 0:36:31the money, which I've just paid.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36I'll put my Jack Russells on you!
0:36:36 > 0:36:38HE CHUCKLES
0:36:40 > 0:36:42Where are you, Jack?
0:36:44 > 0:36:49Don't like dogs. Jack Russells, little dogs - they're fine.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53It's a good score for Darryl and Mark, and means the company that
0:36:53 > 0:36:57brought the case finally gets the money that's rightfully theirs.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11In Bristol, Lawrence and Kev are trying to get BMW owner,
0:37:11 > 0:37:14Mohammed Razaq, over £3,000 from Clayton Cars,
0:37:14 > 0:37:17who he says didn't repair his car properly.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20It made me feel like they're taking me for a joke,
0:37:20 > 0:37:24because I'm just a young boy, and they think that they can fob me off.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27The garage owner won't deal with the writ
0:37:27 > 0:37:31until he's spoken to his solicitor, but he's been waiting a while.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36It's coming up to half 11. If we go past 12 o'clock,
0:37:36 > 0:37:39I will be charging two hours' waiting time.
0:37:39 > 0:37:44With no response from his solicitor, Mr Sowden consults his book-keeper.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47The sheriff turned up today to get some money off us.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51The book-keeper suggests he contact the solicitor.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53Yeah, I tried to get hold of the solicitors.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56They're taking time to come back to me.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00He's got a High Court writ in front of him.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03So, I can just do that, you reckon?
0:38:03 > 0:38:07Apparently, it's all in the hands of the solicitors...
0:38:09 > 0:38:11..and they're going to...
0:38:11 > 0:38:12sort it out.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16Well, they may well do, but they haven't sorted it out today.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20If you don't pay us, then we've got an awful lot of stuff to take
0:38:20 > 0:38:21out of here to clear the debt.
0:38:21 > 0:38:26Nothing personal, but you've got the assets there to enable us
0:38:26 > 0:38:27to clear this debt, I believe.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30Once again, Mr Sowden tries to speak to his solicitors,
0:38:30 > 0:38:33and convey how urgent the situation is.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35- You're seizing goods today?- Yeah.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38Yeah, they're seizing goods today.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41The solicitors say someone will call back.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45Thank you very much - as quick as you can would be much appreciated.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47Thank you, bye.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49They're all getting hungry.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53They're not going to lunch, are they?
0:38:55 > 0:38:59Finally, some three hours after the sheriffs arrived at the garage,
0:38:59 > 0:39:01the owner gets through to his solicitor.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04- Do you want a chat?- No problem.
0:39:04 > 0:39:05I'll pass you over.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09Hello there.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12Mr Sowden's aware that there's been an application to set aside.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14We have a live writ.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16It's a simple question,
0:39:16 > 0:39:18yes or no, and I know the answer.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22Does an application prevent enforcement of a writ?
0:39:23 > 0:39:27Can I just hand you to Mr Sowden so you can tell him that then?
0:39:31 > 0:39:35Have you not done something you should have done for me?
0:39:35 > 0:39:39Mr Sowden doesn't seem to like what he's hearing from the solicitor.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41I'm going to have to be on your case, aren't I?
0:39:41 > 0:39:44Because I just left it to the experts or the solicitors
0:39:44 > 0:39:46and I've got guys knocking on the door.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48The owner calls his book-keeper
0:39:48 > 0:39:51and seems to be talking about payment.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53We could do it that way.
0:39:53 > 0:39:57That's the account name, the account number and the sort code.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00I don't think that's the right way, I don't think it's as easy
0:40:00 > 0:40:02as ringing the police up.
0:40:02 > 0:40:03The police won't do anything.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05No, the police won't do anything.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08It's a hell of a lot of money, and I don't want to hand it over.
0:40:08 > 0:40:09Come on, we've got to do a deal.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12You're still having a conversation about how you can
0:40:12 > 0:40:15get out of paying it. It's the full amount now. I've had enough.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18Lawrence calls up a truck so they can start removing goods.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20Yeah, if you can do urgently...
0:40:22 > 0:40:25It's the full amount. You can deal with Mohammed in court. End of.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27The guy's been going around in circles, really.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31Literally asking anyone in the world for advice on how not to pay.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33Basically, he's asked his solicitor,
0:40:33 > 0:40:37he's asked someone else's solicitor and anyone else that wants to
0:40:37 > 0:40:40put their ten pence worth in has been doing so,
0:40:40 > 0:40:42and it hasn't really got him anywhere.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46The advice is coming from everywhere and nobody is telling you how it is
0:40:46 > 0:40:48- other than me.- There's no arguments to be had any more,
0:40:48 > 0:40:51this is the bottom line, this is the way it is.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54A few minutes later, Lawrence's message seems to have got
0:40:54 > 0:40:56through - the book-keeper arrives at the garage.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02She tells Lawrence the case is in dispute and going to court.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05No disrespect to yourself, I know you've just come in to this,
0:41:05 > 0:41:08but I'm not going into another lengthy discussion
0:41:08 > 0:41:10about the whys and wherefores of us being here.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12We're entitled to be here,
0:41:12 > 0:41:15that is how much needs paying or we will be removing stuff.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18I've already cued the office to line up a truck to come down
0:41:18 > 0:41:20and take it with some men to lift the stuff out.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23She tells Lawrence he can't take the tools of the trade.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25They are not tools of the trade.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28The only things that are tools of the trade are the guys' personal
0:41:28 > 0:41:30hand tools. Are you acting on the gentleman's authority
0:41:30 > 0:41:32to come down and pay this?
0:41:32 > 0:41:35Because we've been going on for four hours and 45 minutes.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37We are not going to stay around while you have the discussion
0:41:37 > 0:41:39of whether he's spoken to his solicitors.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42That is something for you to deal with afterwards.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44If you're acting on his authority to pay it, pay it!
0:41:46 > 0:41:49And, finally, that's exactly what the book-keeper does.
0:41:51 > 0:41:52There's your receipt.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56OK, then, Mr Sowden, we'll leave you in peace, and obviously whatever
0:41:56 > 0:41:58the courts say we will comply with.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05That was not the job from hell, but it was a war of attrition -
0:42:05 > 0:42:08nearly five hours, there. But we got full payment in the end.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11We've got two weeks to hopefully go to court and
0:42:11 > 0:42:13try and reclaim our money back,
0:42:13 > 0:42:16which I think we fully will win the case.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20Since we filmed, Clayton Cars pushed on with their application
0:42:20 > 0:42:24to have the judgement set aside, and this time both the garage
0:42:24 > 0:42:26and their solicitor were present in court.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28Mohammed Razaq had to face them alone.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33The judge rejected the garage's request for the judgement
0:42:33 > 0:42:35to be set aside, which means Mohammed
0:42:35 > 0:42:39keeps the money the sheriffs recovered from Clayton Cars.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42And he has a message for any individuals wondering
0:42:42 > 0:42:45if they could take on a business and win.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47Do go to the courts,
0:42:47 > 0:42:50because there is justice out there.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54Look up how to fight a case in court.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59Another success for a member of the public who fought for his rights.