0:00:02 > 0:00:04- Meet the sheriffs. - Let's go and introduce ourselves.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06We're High Court Enforcement Officers.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08We're here today to execute a High Court writ.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Their job is to get you your money back.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13It's an arrestable offence to stop me doing my job.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15If you've been ripped off and don't know where to turn...
0:00:15 > 0:00:17I'm not waiting any more.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19I'm ordered to seize goods to clear this debt,
0:00:19 > 0:00:21which would mean clearing this place out.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24If you've been to court but still not been paid what you're owed...
0:00:24 > 0:00:25CAR HORN BEEPS
0:00:25 > 0:00:26Why don't you just tell me who you are?
0:00:26 > 0:00:29This is an absolute crock. You need to pay this.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32..it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:32 > 0:00:33I've seized your car, sir.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36You can have the letters through the door or we'll go through the window.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37Whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40They're Enforcement Officers of the High Court,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43and the law says they're on your side.
0:00:43 > 0:00:44I've just collected 42 grand.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Coming up...
0:00:50 > 0:00:53pregnant beauty therapist Victoria Lille
0:00:53 > 0:00:56was unfairly dismissed, and locked out.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59He locked the door and left me out on the pavement, crying.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02Sheriffs Darryl and Craig are confronted by her former boss...
0:01:02 > 0:01:04- Are you going to leave? - No.
0:01:04 > 0:01:05We can discuss it.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07There's no discussing it.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10Can they get Victoria the £26,000 she's owed?
0:01:13 > 0:01:17Sheriffs Lawrence and Kev attempt to remove an illegally moored boat.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Kev, it's not going back on.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22You can't stop me, it's my possession.
0:01:22 > 0:01:23When the boat owner resists...
0:01:23 > 0:01:25Back on, now. I'm in my possession.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27..the police get involved.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32And when we join Sheriff Pete Spencer at a Yorkshire garage,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35the owner is not happy to see us.
0:01:35 > 0:01:36- Get the- BLEEP- out of my site.
0:01:36 > 0:01:37- All right.- Now!
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Today Darryl and Craig have partnered up
0:01:44 > 0:01:45to visit a beauty salon,
0:01:45 > 0:01:48but they're not there to go wild with fake tans and pedicures.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52We're just coming into Sutton Coldfield now,
0:01:52 > 0:01:55we're going to a company called Urban Glow.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59It's an employment tribunal owing just over £31,000,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02so it is a huge amount we're going to collect.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06This is the lady the sheriffs are trying to help -
0:02:06 > 0:02:11Victoria Lille, a trained beautician and new mum from Rushall, Walsall.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17Victoria's ordeal started a year before son Kai was born.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21She saw a beauty therapist job advertised at Urban Glow
0:02:21 > 0:02:24in Boldmere, close to where her parents lived.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26Being passionate about beauty and make-up,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29she seized the opportunity and got the job.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33I was working from nine o'clock in the morning sometimes
0:02:33 > 0:02:34until nine o'clock at night.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37And within two weeks he'd promoted me to salon manager
0:02:37 > 0:02:39because he said he was impressed with my work,
0:02:39 > 0:02:41and how I interacted with the clients.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43I was over the moon!
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Four months later Victoria and her fiance Chris
0:02:46 > 0:02:49discovered she was ten weeks' pregnant.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51She told her boss, Robin Hampton-Cornforth.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Initially he was pleased and congratulated Victoria
0:02:54 > 0:02:56and her family on the good news.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59But only four days later, he dismissed her.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02It completely tore me apart.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04I just didn't know what we were going to do.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09What made it worse was the manner in which she was dismissed.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Instead of telling Victoria face-to-face,
0:03:11 > 0:03:15Mr Hampton-Cornforth told Victoria's mum instead,
0:03:15 > 0:03:19who was working part-time as the salon's receptionist.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24In a text message he said, "Can't keep her, she's pregnant.
0:03:24 > 0:03:25- "LOL.- BLEEP- off."
0:03:26 > 0:03:28It's quite obvious why he fired me -
0:03:28 > 0:03:30because I was pregnant.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Being dismissed was just the start of Victoria
0:03:33 > 0:03:34and her family's problems.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37She visited the Urban Glow salon
0:03:37 > 0:03:40hoping to collect £800-worth of personal equipment
0:03:40 > 0:03:43that she had put into the business.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46However, Mr Hampton-Cornforth had other ideas
0:03:46 > 0:03:48and refused to let her inside.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51It was a freezing cold day, it had been snowing
0:03:51 > 0:03:55and he locked the door and left me on the pavement crying.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Victoria called the police who assisted her in collecting
0:03:57 > 0:03:59her things from the premises.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04The stress of the situation led Victoria into depression.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10I found it hard to get out of bed, I was that low and that down.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14My partner would come home from work and I'd be in tears every day.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19Victoria started having problems with her pregnancy.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22I was admitted to hospital on two occasions
0:04:22 > 0:04:26because I was in early labour, which they managed to stop.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28They said it was due to all the stress.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Luckily Victoria had the support of her family,
0:04:32 > 0:04:34and with her father's help
0:04:34 > 0:04:37she found strength to take her former boss to court.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Mr Hampton-Cornforth didn't appear in court to contest the case.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46The judge found that Mr Hampton-Cornforth's behaviour
0:04:46 > 0:04:48had led to Victoria's stress,
0:04:48 > 0:04:50and that he dismissed her because she was pregnant.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Her former boss was ordered to pay her over £27,000
0:04:55 > 0:04:59for loss of wages, stress and discrimination.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02When the judge informed us of the judgment that he was making
0:05:02 > 0:05:03and the amount that it was for,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05I was just thinking, you know,
0:05:05 > 0:05:08"I don't have to worry now, I can provide for my little boy."
0:05:09 > 0:05:12And now this judgement's made, I won't have to see him again,
0:05:12 > 0:05:14I won't have to face him. The court case is over.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18It was just a relief. That pressure had been lifted.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Despite the court order,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Mr Hampton-Cornforth still hasn't paid her the money.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28She's left with only one option.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32I don't know what to do, so the sheriffs are our only option really,
0:05:32 > 0:05:34are our last resort.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44It's now up to the sheriffs to get Victoria and baby Kai
0:05:44 > 0:05:45the money they are owed.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49Darryl and Craig have arrived at Urban Glow in Sutton Coldfield
0:05:49 > 0:05:52with the massive task of recovering a debt,
0:05:52 > 0:05:56that with interest and costs is now £31,000.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Hello! Oh, sorry.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Is the, uh, manager about at all?
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Yeah, if the boss is here, yeah, thank you.
0:06:04 > 0:06:05- Is that him, is it? - Yeah.
0:06:05 > 0:06:06Victoria's former boss,
0:06:06 > 0:06:09Robin Hampton-Cornforth is soon on the line.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11We're High Court Enforcement Officers
0:06:11 > 0:06:14and they've sent us out to execute a High Court writ today.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16It's an employment tribunal case.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19He asks Craig to go into the back of the shop
0:06:19 > 0:06:21so he doesn't disturb the customers.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Then he asks the sheriffs to leave altogether.
0:06:25 > 0:06:26We can't go outside the shop, sir,
0:06:26 > 0:06:30we're authorised to execute the High Court writ whilst we're here.
0:06:30 > 0:06:31Well, I can, sir.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Quite simply, I've got a court order to execute whilst I'm here.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36No problem, I'll wait for your call.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39While they wait for Mr Hampton-Cornforth,
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Darryl realises they've got a problem.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44The debt is £31,000.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47But even though there are some fairly valuable sunbeds,
0:06:47 > 0:06:51the assets in the shop are worth nothing like that amount.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Just then the owner arrives.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56All right, lads. Do you want to leave?
0:06:56 > 0:06:58- Hello, sir.- Do you want to leave?- No.
0:06:58 > 0:06:59We can discuss it but we're not leaving.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02There's no discussing it. This is going to a tribunal case,
0:07:02 > 0:07:03It's been referred by the judge.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05At the moment we've got a live writ.
0:07:05 > 0:07:06Well, as far as I'm aware...
0:07:07 > 0:07:10As far as you might be aware, that may be, but it's...
0:07:10 > 0:07:12What are you filming for? Can you stop filming?
0:07:12 > 0:07:14I don't want you to film me.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16At this point, the owner pushes our camera out of the way,
0:07:16 > 0:07:18and asks us to leave the building.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20He then tells Darryl and Craig
0:07:20 > 0:07:23that he didn't sack Victoria for being pregnant,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26that he didn't go to the tribunal because he didn't see the papers,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29and that he's appealing the findings in any case,
0:07:29 > 0:07:31so doesn't think the sheriffs should be there.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35You're going to appeal against a judgment that's already been made,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38this is what they call a live writ.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42The situation that he's facing at the moment is £31,000.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44What money have you got available?
0:07:45 > 0:07:47We've hit a bit of brick wall at the moment,
0:07:47 > 0:07:49they've not tried to raise any money,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51made no attempt to raise any money,
0:07:51 > 0:07:53he just keeps on saying he ain't got it.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56They've got £300 and they're still on the phone to the solicitors.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00With no money on the table, Craig calls in a removal truck.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04Just then Mr Hampton-Cornforth's wife arrives.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06She says the sunbeds can't be seized
0:08:06 > 0:08:09because they are rented and don't belong to the company.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Without the valuable sunbeds,
0:08:11 > 0:08:14to raise even a fraction of the £31,000,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17the sheriffs would have to clear out the salon -
0:08:17 > 0:08:20stopping Urban Glow from doing business.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Rather than see the salon effectively closed,
0:08:22 > 0:08:24the couple finally start to look for funds.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29They come up with £5,000 over the next couple of days.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34We got a part payment today of £3,000
0:08:34 > 0:08:37with a further £2,000 being paid tomorrow.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39That's not bad - start chipping away at it.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43A good result to get that amount of money off a liability of this size.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47It may not be the full amount, but £5,000 in the sheriffs' bank
0:08:47 > 0:08:51is worth more than all the salon's assets sold at auction.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53After all of Mr Hampton-Cornforth's protesting
0:08:53 > 0:08:57he never went to back to court to appeal against the judgment.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02Instead he has agreed to pay Victoria £250 a month
0:09:02 > 0:09:04until the outstanding balance is cleared.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07We've got this little one and we've got the great news
0:09:07 > 0:09:11that...what the sheriffs have done, so we're so happy now.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Mr Hampton-Conforth disputes Victoria Lille's
0:09:16 > 0:09:17version of events, saying...
0:09:28 > 0:09:30..saying he believed another ex-employee
0:09:30 > 0:09:33had used his phone to make the text.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36He says she only worked for him for two-and-a-half months,
0:09:36 > 0:09:37and therefore...
0:09:48 > 0:09:50It's just after sunrise
0:09:50 > 0:09:53and Enforcement Officers Lawrence Grix, Kev McNally
0:09:53 > 0:09:55and a colleague are in London on their way
0:09:55 > 0:09:57for a little trip down the Thames.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00But they're not there sightseeing.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03They're enforcing a writ on behalf of the Port of London Authority,
0:10:03 > 0:10:05reclaiming a small part of their riverbank.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10We're heading to Battersea this morning, actually by the river.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16There's a chap with a houseboat that's moored where he shouldn't be.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20We've already moved him on once and he's made his way back.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22So we've now got a writ of restitution.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27The boat owner, Nick Hale, moored his barge on the bank in 1997
0:10:27 > 0:10:30and has lived there, rent-free, ever since.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33He claims the landowner is happy for him to be there.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36The Port of London authorities say the river belongs to them.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43They took him to court. Mr Hales argued his case, but lost.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45The judge ruled he was squatting unlawfully.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48With Mr Hale still refusing to move,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51the authorities had to forcibly tow his boat away.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55But soon after, Mr Hale and his boat moved back.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58So now the Sheriffs have been tasked with removing it for good.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Ours isn't to reason why on these things.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05We've got the writ to get him off that bit of foreshore,
0:11:05 > 0:11:07which is what we're going to do.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09They're not after the boat,
0:11:09 > 0:11:12which will stay in the boat-owner's possession.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Their task is merely to remove it from the section of riverbank
0:11:15 > 0:11:17where it's not supposed to be.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19And, to ensure it's removed safely,
0:11:19 > 0:11:22they're not allowed to remove it with the boat-owner on board.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25They arrive at the waterside.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- Will he be expecting this or not? - Let's not make too much noise, eh.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35The boat's there, but at first glance, Mr Hale appears not to be.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37Lawrence thinks the boat is locked from the outside.
0:11:39 > 0:11:40I don't think he's in there at the moment,
0:11:40 > 0:11:42which is good news for us,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45because it means we haven't got the trouble of getting him off it.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48If he turns up, he won't be getting on his boat.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50We'll wait for the river authorities now.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Tide's coming in, high tide and then we'll get the boat away,
0:11:53 > 0:11:55hopefully get the job done.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58But moments later, it becomes clear there is life on board.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03I know you can go. I'll stay here and supervise.
0:12:05 > 0:12:06Kev and his colleague leap on the boat.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11With a bad knee, Lawrence decides to watch from the shore.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Mr Hale, is it?
0:12:14 > 0:12:16My colleague executed a writ of possession on you before
0:12:16 > 0:12:18and the boat was towed off.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22You're obviously in breach of that because you've come back.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28So we've now got a writ of restitution to move you again.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30But Mr Hale is still less than convinced
0:12:30 > 0:12:32by the orders of the court.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- You shouldn't have come back at all. - But I'm attached to their land,
0:12:35 > 0:12:37so it's down to them whether I should be here or not.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40You're in the river, sir, which is River Authority's...
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Hang on a minute. Hang on a minute.
0:12:42 > 0:12:47But by getting off his boat, Mr Hale has played into Lawrence's hands.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Kev? Here a minute, mate.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55So the situation is, that if they went for...
0:12:55 > 0:12:57He's not getting back on.
0:12:57 > 0:12:58You can't stop me, it's my possession.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00It doesn't matter, sir.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02- You can't stop me.- Yes, we can, sir. - How?- Yes, we can, sir.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Because the boat is a vessel, it's a chattel.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07It's where it shouldn't be,
0:13:07 > 0:13:10and we have the right to remove the boat from where it is now
0:13:10 > 0:13:13in accordance with the writ of restitution.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16To enable us to do that we need you off it.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19You've come off it of your own volition
0:13:19 > 0:13:21so you're not getting back on it.
0:13:21 > 0:13:22End of story.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25But Mr Hale isn't one to obey Lawrence's instructions.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27I'm back on now. I'm in possession.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32OK. I'm in possession of the boat.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37The court orders didn't say that I couldn't return here.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- It doesn't have to specifically say you can't come back.- But it does.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42No, it doesn't.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45But Lawrence isn't interested in the legal ins and outs.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48All he knows is the High Court has ordered the boat removed
0:13:48 > 0:13:52and any attempt to stop them would be in contempt of court.
0:13:52 > 0:13:53I need to go inside to get my papers.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59What you need to do, sir, is get off the boat.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- No.- If you don't, we'll just call the police
0:14:01 > 0:14:04and have you arrested for obstruction of an Enforcement Officer
0:14:04 > 0:14:06in the execution of a writ of possession.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09I have a legal right to object to a writ of restitution.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11You have a legal right to do whatever you like.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Yeah, in the court when they go and apply for it.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15But the fact is, I have a live writ of restitution.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17All right, I need my other phone
0:14:17 > 0:14:18and I need some papers out of the boat.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23We're not letting you back in there.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25You need to leave the boat.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea,
0:14:27 > 0:14:31the boat-owner takes the opportunity to tell us his side of the story.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35The thing about the Port of London is they're going round
0:14:35 > 0:14:37and anybody who's an individual on the river,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40they're attacking them with all the legal might they possibly can.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Under the public right to navigate, it also says that when a vessel
0:14:44 > 0:14:49has been moored for a certain length of time, it can't become a nuisance.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52It can only be a nuisance at the time that it was put where it was,
0:14:52 > 0:14:55and with the passage of time, it can't become a nuisance.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Mr Hale argues that where his boat is moored
0:14:58 > 0:15:01does not belong to the Port of London Authority,
0:15:01 > 0:15:04but another landowner, who's happy for his boat to be there.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07He also believes his long residence on the riverbank
0:15:07 > 0:15:09gives him some protection.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12But the court judgment was quite clear -
0:15:12 > 0:15:16where his boat is moored does belong to the Port of London Authority
0:15:16 > 0:15:19and Mr Hale has no right to be squatting there.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22With Mr Hale still refusing to leave his boat,
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Lawrence can't execute the writ.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27He's not prepared to debate any further,
0:15:27 > 0:15:31and calls in the police to get Mr Hale removed.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34We've got a writ of restitution to remove a boat from the foreshore.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38We can't actually possess the boat because it's where he lives.
0:15:38 > 0:15:39But he's on it and refusing to leave.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42We need him arrested for obstructing an enforcement officer
0:15:42 > 0:15:45in the execution of a writ of possession
0:15:45 > 0:15:47to allow us to drag the boat out and away.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51Later, we'll see what happens when the police arrive.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54You're not going back on the boat now, Mr Hale.
0:15:54 > 0:15:55Come here a minute.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58You've pushed your luck and I'm not impressed.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06The sheriffs are enforcement officers of the High Court.
0:16:06 > 0:16:11Armed with a High Court writ, they can get you the money you are owed.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13Getting the writ will cost you £60.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16If the sheriffs succeed, there's no more to pay.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19If they don't, there's a £60 admin fee.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27Enforcement Officer Pete Spencer is heading into South Yorkshire.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31So we're attending a car garage this morning just outside Sheffield.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35The total due today is £4,419.15p.
0:16:37 > 0:16:38The case was brought by a car owner
0:16:38 > 0:16:43who was unhappy with a vehicle she bought from Hilltop Car Shop.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45She tried to get her money back from the garage,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48and when they wouldn't pay, she took them to court.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52Now she's called in the sheriffs in an attempt to finally get paid.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02Here we are, Hilltop Car Shop.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Reasonable sort of cars on the forecourt,
0:17:06 > 0:17:07so hopefully it won't be too bad.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Hi. Are you OK? We're looking for a Mr Darren Barrett.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16He's not here? Who's in charge today?
0:17:16 > 0:17:18- Me.- Right, OK.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21OK. We'll have to go inside, we'll...speak about this, yeah?
0:17:21 > 0:17:23Hopefully he'll be able to help us.
0:17:23 > 0:17:24We are asked to stay outside.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28The writ is against Darren Barrett, the garage owner.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32But the men in charge today say all the cars
0:17:32 > 0:17:36are owned not by Mr Barrett but by Hilltop Car Shop Limited.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39If that's true, Pete won't be able to seize them.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42What I need you to do is to produce purchase invoices
0:17:42 > 0:17:44for these vehicles that are on site
0:17:44 > 0:17:47because I need to identify who's bought the vehicles.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49When the invoices are produced,
0:17:49 > 0:17:51the garage's story seems to stack up -
0:17:51 > 0:17:54they are in the name of Hilltop Car Shop.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56They tell Pete the garage had made an offer
0:17:56 > 0:17:59to pay off the money in instalments.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01She made an offer of £200 per month.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03You're quite happy to stick by that.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Pete calls the office to see how to play it.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11There is a file full of auction purchase invoices
0:18:11 > 0:18:14in the name of Hilltop Car Shop, not Darren Barrett.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17No problem, I'll speak to them now then
0:18:17 > 0:18:18and just explain that scenario.
0:18:18 > 0:18:23The £200-per-month plan was seen by the claimant, but she rejected it.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27There's news on the car ownership as well.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30The cars can't be owned by Hilltop Car Shop Limited
0:18:30 > 0:18:32because that is a dormant company,
0:18:32 > 0:18:37and a dormant company can't trade - and that would include buying cars.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Pete looks at the invoices again.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44It's not a limited company on the purchased invoices,
0:18:44 > 0:18:46it's Hilltop Car Shop.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48That's not good news from your side.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52Pete gets through to the garage owner, Darren Barrett, on the phone.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55The owner's coming down to the garage to see Pete.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57He was supposed to be going on holiday,
0:18:57 > 0:19:00and Pete's not expecting him to be in a good mood.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03Everyone's saying they don't want to be here when he comes.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05I don't really know whether to ring police
0:19:05 > 0:19:07or just wait and see what he's like when he comes.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09He were perfectly fine on the phone.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13While he waits, Pete seizes the vehicles on the forecourt
0:19:13 > 0:19:16he now believes are owned by Mr Barrett.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Hi, is it Darren? Hiya, you OK?
0:19:19 > 0:19:23The owner arrives, and does not want to be on camera.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27He tells Pete the claimant still has the disputed car,
0:19:27 > 0:19:28and she also wants to be paid.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32Black and white - that's got to be paid in full.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36That goes into a client's holding account for 14 days, by law.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38You've got, then, 14 days to get that vehicle back
0:19:38 > 0:19:42before any funds go to her, otherwise she could end up with the funds,
0:19:42 > 0:19:45plus the vehicle and you've got to get the vehicle back.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49But Mr Barrett says he has no money and cannot pay the debt.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52If we are going to remove vehicles, we've got to take obviously
0:19:52 > 0:19:54trade value of what we think it'll do at auction.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57If you can borrow some money, it will be cheaper.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59The owner says the cars can't be seized
0:19:59 > 0:20:01because they belong to the limited company.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03There's a limited company that was dormant,
0:20:03 > 0:20:07it's not trading at company's house at the moment in that company.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10The receipts are in Hilltop Car Shop,
0:20:10 > 0:20:11so our office are right,
0:20:11 > 0:20:14obviously the vehicles are right to take
0:20:14 > 0:20:16and we have got the right to take them.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20Eventually the garage owner is convinced there is no option
0:20:20 > 0:20:23but to pay in full, and heads off to find the cash.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Half an hour later he returns,
0:20:26 > 0:20:29but he's not happy to see our camera outside on the road.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35- I've cleared my debt. Get the- BLEEP- off my site. Now!
0:20:35 > 0:20:36All right...
0:20:36 > 0:20:38- He's got money in his hand.- BLEEP!
0:20:38 > 0:20:39Now.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42All right, I'll go. OK, calm down.
0:20:42 > 0:20:43With our camera safely inside the van,
0:20:43 > 0:20:45Pete counts out the money.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50That's, er, £4,420, er, I need to give you some change
0:20:50 > 0:20:51but I haven't got any.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53We owe you 75p.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55If you can just give a signature and a print there
0:20:55 > 0:20:57that's your receipt to say you've paid in full.
0:20:57 > 0:20:58With the debt paid in full,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01the garage owner wants to put his side of the story.
0:21:03 > 0:21:08We wrote to the lady a few weeks ago to offer her so much money
0:21:08 > 0:21:12and to see if we could pay it back, cos it were a big amount
0:21:12 > 0:21:15she wanted to claim for, which were ridiculous.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19From a £1,599 car, what the lady didn't want,
0:21:19 > 0:21:25has cost us £4,500 and paid her back in full
0:21:25 > 0:21:26so we don't get no grief from it.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31As well as we like to treat us customers properly,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34but you'll always get one person
0:21:34 > 0:21:38who thinks she's buying a Rolls-Royce at £1,500.
0:21:39 > 0:21:45After a lot of discussion, Pete has what he came for - payment in full.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48Yeah, it went well. £4,420.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51Eventually he's gone away and got some money from various locations
0:21:51 > 0:21:54and come up with the full amount, which has been paid in cash.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59And the unhappy car owner now has the money she was due.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15In Battersea, South London, in the shadow of London's heliport,
0:22:15 > 0:22:17Enforcement Officers Lawrence and Kev
0:22:17 > 0:22:20are still trying to get the illegally moored boat
0:22:20 > 0:22:21removed from the riverbank,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24where owner Nick Hale has been living rent-free
0:22:24 > 0:22:27on and off for 16 years.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29The boat will still be Mr Hale's home,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32but it has to move so that this bit of bank can be returned
0:22:32 > 0:22:34to its rightful owners today.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37The boat owner and Kev are at loggerheads.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Mr Hale wants to get into his boat to retrieve some possessions,
0:22:40 > 0:22:44but Kev can't let him in case he secures himself inside
0:22:44 > 0:22:47and prevents them towing the boat.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50But the boat owner is nothing if not tenacious.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53No, I told you, you're not coming up this bit.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55You can guide him from the window.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59But the sheriffs have got to move fast.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02We've got a very limited window of time,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05with regards to the tide and towing him off.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Mr Hale doesn't care about the tides.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10While Kev tries to get him his things,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Mr Hale also calls the police.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Phone, black book and a wallet.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19I need the police here, I need the police here to oversee something.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23With Mr Hale still on board and the police on their way,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26another interested party soon hoves into view.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29This is the Port of London Authority.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32They've got a small vessel a few chaps have come up in.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34If the sheriffs can get Mr Hale off his boat
0:23:34 > 0:23:37it will be the Port of London Authority's job
0:23:37 > 0:23:39to tow it to a legitimate berth.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42The two parties are clearly old acquaintances.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00We've told you, what you need, we can get for you.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Otherwise you're not going in there.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05The police are on their way to arrest you
0:24:05 > 0:24:07for obstruction of an enforcement officer...
0:24:07 > 0:24:09..in the execution of a writ.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12- You are, by not vacating the boat. - These people are...
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Your possessions aren't going anywhere.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19There's no "But." Anything you need we'll go and get for you.
0:24:19 > 0:24:20You have to abide by the laws of the land.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22If he thought he had an entitlement to be here,
0:24:22 > 0:24:25he should have dealt with it in a legal way
0:24:29 > 0:24:32There's nothing personal between any of us.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Over an hour after arriving on the riverbank,
0:24:34 > 0:24:36and with the police now on site,
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Lawrence briefs them on the situation.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42There was a writ of possession. That's my ID.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Mr Hale too is keen for a word with the law.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47- Good morning, sir. - Good morning. How are you doing?
0:24:47 > 0:24:50- FEMALE OFFICER: Can you just give us a second.- Just give us two minutes.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53- Can I...? I called you. - No, no, you both called us...
0:24:53 > 0:24:56What we're doing, we're going to deal with this gentleman.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Go back to where you were and we'll...
0:24:58 > 0:25:02But the arrival of the police has given Lawrence a golden opportunity.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05LAWRENCE: Basically, I don't want him back on that boat,
0:25:05 > 0:25:06so I need to stop him.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Right, you're not going back on the boat now, Mr Hale.
0:25:16 > 0:25:17Right, your boat's going to be taken
0:25:17 > 0:25:20to a Port of London Authority mooring, Mr Hale.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22At the moment we need you off the boat so we can move it.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25You're off the boat and you're not getting back on it.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27Just got him some of the possessions that he wanted.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30A load of paperwork, his laptop, erm, a few other bits there,
0:25:30 > 0:25:34phone chargers and stuff so we'll get that, chuck it over to him.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38But although Kev is trying to get Mr Hale the things he's asked for,
0:25:38 > 0:25:40being denied access to his boat
0:25:40 > 0:25:43has made him agitated with the Enforcement Officers.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48I need my bike out of there because I go to work on my bike.
0:25:48 > 0:25:49I need my tool bag.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51I need all my other tools that I have to work.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54No, I'm not getting your tools. Just your personal stuff.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57- I've got to have my tools... - OK, what clothes do you want?
0:25:57 > 0:25:58Do you see what I mean?
0:25:58 > 0:26:02I work as a maintenance... I do maintenance. So I need my tools.
0:26:02 > 0:26:03This is a civil matter.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06We're here purely to prevent a breach of the peace.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10The guys are telling you how they're going to help you,
0:26:10 > 0:26:14if you're choosing not to listen to them then that's not your problem.
0:26:14 > 0:26:15Don't go that side of me.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Well, don't keep standing in front of me
0:26:17 > 0:26:18when I'm trying to talk to you.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20You're not standing the other side of me.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22- You can talk to him from there, can't you?- Right...
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Your voice carries across that distance.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28Suddenly, the boat owner spots an opportunity.
0:26:34 > 0:26:35Now just wait.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37FEMALE OFFICER: I tell you what? How about I get this out?
0:26:37 > 0:26:38Just wait one minute.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Do you what? You are proving to be an idiot.
0:26:41 > 0:26:42Don't use the stun gun on me.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48And with that, the police have had enough.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52What I'm trying to do, I'm trying to direct the guy around my boat.
0:26:53 > 0:26:54There's no need for this.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56You have pushed your luck.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Excuse me. Can you come here a minute, please?
0:26:58 > 0:27:01You have pushed your luck and I'm not impressed.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03With Mr Hale handcuffed by the police,
0:27:03 > 0:27:07the Port of London Authority can at last prepare the boat for towing.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10The Port Authority men mustn't delay
0:27:10 > 0:27:12because the boat has to be afloat to be moved,
0:27:12 > 0:27:16and there's only a short window either side of high tide.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Even though he'll be getting the boat back later,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22Mr Hale has told Kev what he needs from inside.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26The tide's just about right now, I think.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28They seem to be well under way.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31I reckon it will be about ten minutes before it's gone.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34And with that, Mr Hale's sojourn on the Battersea riverbank
0:27:34 > 0:27:36comes to a close,
0:27:36 > 0:27:39as the Port of London Authority takes his boat away.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47It remains Mr Hale's possession - but he'll have to moor it elsewhere.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50Lawrence's final job
0:27:50 > 0:27:54is to try to make sure Mr Hale and his boat aren't coming back.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58This is our notices, warning him not to come back again.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00You can't obviously pin them to the riverbed.
0:28:00 > 0:28:05For the Port of London Authority, it's been a job well done.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07It's gone very well today.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09The High Court Enforcement Officers have been here,
0:28:09 > 0:28:10served the writ.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12The police have been involved, unfortunately,
0:28:12 > 0:28:16but it's all ended well as far as we're concerned.
0:28:16 > 0:28:17A good job.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20We're not really interested in removing the gentleman
0:28:20 > 0:28:24from his barge, just that the barge has to come away from the foreshore.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Job gone successfully, I think.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28Yeah, couldn't have asked for much better than that.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31There's always going to be a few complications, potentially,
0:28:31 > 0:28:33but, no, it went well.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36The riverbank has been returned to its rightful owners.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39The boat was taken to a Port of London Authority mooring
0:28:39 > 0:28:42where Mr Hale was reunited with it some hours later.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48It was a tricky job, completed successfully by the sheriffs.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Today High Court Enforcement Officers Lawrence and Kev
0:29:02 > 0:29:03are on their way to Oxford,
0:29:03 > 0:29:07home to one of the world's finest universities.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09I never wanted to go to Oxbridge,
0:29:09 > 0:29:11so I had no real incentive to work hard for me A-levels,
0:29:11 > 0:29:13which is why I failed them.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20My problem when I was younger is I didn't know what I wanted to do.
0:29:20 > 0:29:21I think I've found my niche now though.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23HE LAUGHS
0:29:23 > 0:29:25Oxford's and Cambridge's loss
0:29:25 > 0:29:28is the hundreds of successfully paid claimants' gain.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30My gain as well, I suppose.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32Stuck in a van with the Grix all day.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38Lawrence and Kev may not have fancy letters after their names
0:29:38 > 0:29:40but when it come to executing High Court writs,
0:29:40 > 0:29:42they do it with honours.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46We're going to a company called Purple Spade Limited,
0:29:46 > 0:29:48trading as TVR Self-Drive.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51Erm, unfortunately it's not TVR sports cars,
0:29:51 > 0:29:52it's just a van rental place.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58But this van rental place has fallen into serious dispute
0:29:58 > 0:30:00with one car repair company.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06The person Lawrence and Kev are on their way to help is Don Linfoot.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09He runs Oxford Vehicle Servicing in Kidlington,
0:30:09 > 0:30:11a small family-run business.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16Customer service is our... our main priority,
0:30:16 > 0:30:18it's one of the things that we pride ourselves.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20People come back year after year.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22I take it personally that, you know,
0:30:22 > 0:30:23I want people's vehicles to be done,
0:30:23 > 0:30:26I want them to be done right and they go away happy.
0:30:27 > 0:30:28It was in that spirit
0:30:28 > 0:30:32that Don's garage received a broken-down minibus
0:30:32 > 0:30:34from Purple Spade Ltd -
0:30:34 > 0:30:36a local van rental company,
0:30:36 > 0:30:38trading as TVR Self Drive.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41After that he just kept using us all the time,
0:30:41 > 0:30:44so we built up this bit of a relationship.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46We were looking after his vehicles
0:30:46 > 0:30:48for roughly about six, seven months,
0:30:48 > 0:30:50and then one day, out of the blue,
0:30:50 > 0:30:53we had a vehicle that was towed round to us
0:30:53 > 0:30:55that had some serious problems.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Unfortunately, um, it all went downhill from there.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03The vehicle in question was a Ford Transit minibus
0:31:03 > 0:31:08that had been misfiring, seriously damaging vital components.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12Don's mechanics replaced the visibly damaged parts
0:31:12 > 0:31:14but with limited success.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17After the engine started up,
0:31:17 > 0:31:20we knew there was going to be some serious problems with this.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23It didn't sound good, it didn't perform very well.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28Purple Spade agreed to have a number of replacement parts fitted
0:31:28 > 0:31:29to repair the engine.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33To keep his customer happy, Don offered the owner a deal.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37I would credit him for the work that we had done,
0:31:37 > 0:31:40but obviously I would charge him for the replacement engine
0:31:40 > 0:31:41that we were going to fit.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43So that's what we did, we fitted a replacement engine
0:31:43 > 0:31:45and everyone was happy.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49Despite doing what he thought was a generous deal,
0:31:49 > 0:31:51Don didn't receive any payment.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55It left him out of pocket and increasingly frustrated
0:31:55 > 0:31:58with having to chase the money.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00Don decided enough was enough -
0:32:00 > 0:32:04it was time to visit the director of Purple Spade Ltd, face-to-face.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08Jack and myself, my son, walked into the reception
0:32:08 > 0:32:10and I said to John, I said,
0:32:10 > 0:32:12"We've come round to collect a cheque from yourself
0:32:12 > 0:32:15"for the work we've carried out."
0:32:15 > 0:32:17Erm, and that's when he came up with the excuse
0:32:17 > 0:32:19that they'd had problems with the vehicle.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22We'd done a little bit of research, we went to a local garage
0:32:22 > 0:32:24where he has the vehicles MOT'd.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26I went round there and they told me
0:32:26 > 0:32:29that it'd gone through the MOT with no problems at all,
0:32:29 > 0:32:31so I knew, just by looking at him,
0:32:31 > 0:32:34that he was never, ever going to pay.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36I was physically shaking because I thought,
0:32:36 > 0:32:38"Well, you know, what have I done to deserve this?
0:32:38 > 0:32:41"You're OK, but I'm still out of pocket."
0:32:41 > 0:32:44I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up,
0:32:44 > 0:32:47so we just turned around and walked out.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51Some weeks later Don received a letter
0:32:51 > 0:32:54from Purple Spade's Limited's solicitor,
0:32:54 > 0:32:57saying they were disappointed that second-hand parts had been used
0:32:57 > 0:32:59to repair the vehicle.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01They said they specifically asked
0:33:01 > 0:33:04for new parts to be used in the repair of the van.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06It's a matter Don disputes.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11Knowing that he'd exhausted every avenue to try to get paid,
0:33:11 > 0:33:14Don took legal action against Purple Spade Ltd.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19In the end I needed peace of mind myself...
0:33:19 > 0:33:21have a conclusion to the whole thing.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24That was when I decided to, you know, fight it out in court.
0:33:26 > 0:33:27On the day of the hearing,
0:33:27 > 0:33:32Purple Spade Limited didn't attend court to contest the case.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35The Judge ruled in Oxford Vehicle Services' favour
0:33:35 > 0:33:40awarding Don £3,106.27p.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45Once the judgment was made, they were given 14 days to make payment.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48Again, we never saw any payment,
0:33:48 > 0:33:51so we just had to make the next step.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55The next step has been to call in the sheriffs.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05It's now down to Lawrence and Kev
0:34:05 > 0:34:09to see if they can get Don and his garage the money he's owed.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14- It's behind here. - Is it? TVR Self-Drive. There you go.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20- Hi there.- Morning. Looking for Purple Spade Ltd.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22- Yeah, that's us. - Trading as TVR Self-Drive.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24We're Enforcement Officers,
0:34:24 > 0:34:27we've got a High Court writ to execute against Purple Spade Ltd.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33Right. Well, the young lady's just said "Yes, that's us," so...
0:34:33 > 0:34:34I'm not leaving, no.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36I'm an Enforcement Officer with a High Court writ.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40Our camera is told to leave the building, so films from the outside.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42Not wanting to leave the sheriffs waiting,
0:34:42 > 0:34:45the receptionist gets the company director on the phone.
0:34:45 > 0:34:50Hello there. Who am I speaking to, please? John Collins.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52You're a director of Purple Spade Ltd, aren't you?
0:34:52 > 0:34:55Right, basically, we've been ordered out here today
0:34:55 > 0:35:01to seize goods to the value of £4,292.39p.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05Mr Collins explains that TVR is only the trading name.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08Although Purple Spade Limited was registered at the premises,
0:35:08 > 0:35:10it no longer exists.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13It is now home to Pink Spade Limited.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16I'm being told Pink Spade are here, but I've got you
0:35:16 > 0:35:18as the director of Purple Spade on the phone.
0:35:18 > 0:35:23Nobody from Pink Spade is making any attempt to provide any evidence
0:35:23 > 0:35:25that anything here is theirs.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28Lawrence wants to know exactly which company owns the assets.
0:35:28 > 0:35:33He tells them he plans to carry out a diligent search of the premises.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35Don't tell me what I will and won't do, sir.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38I have the right to enter any premises in England and Wales
0:35:38 > 0:35:40where I believe the debtor has assets.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42OK, I'm going to hand you back to the young lady anyway.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46The man on the phone insists TVR Self-Drive is now the trading name
0:35:46 > 0:35:48of Pink Spade Limited,
0:35:48 > 0:35:51not the company on Lawrence's writ which is Purple Spade Limited.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56But until Mr Collins arrives with proof of who owns the vans,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59Kev seizes all the vehicles with TVR Logos.
0:36:00 > 0:36:01But moments later,
0:36:01 > 0:36:05the boss of Purple Spade Limited arrives at speed.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07I'm guessing that this is our man.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14Hello there, sir, I'll just show you some ID.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17As the director leads them upstairs to his office,
0:36:17 > 0:36:20Lawrence has only one thing on his mind.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22Can Mr Collins prove Pink Spade Limited
0:36:22 > 0:36:25bought the assets from Purple Spade Limited?
0:36:25 > 0:36:28Finance documents for the vehicles will be useful
0:36:28 > 0:36:30because they're the most valuable assets.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33Mr Collins finally shows Lawrence paperwork
0:36:33 > 0:36:36proving the vans are on finance.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39Lawrence knows this means he can't remove those vehicles.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41He tries a different tack.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45Forgetting the vehicles for the moment, what about the other stuff?
0:36:45 > 0:36:48Computers, phones... Where's the paperwork for that?
0:36:48 > 0:36:51We're ordered here to seize goods. If you come up with your proof
0:36:51 > 0:36:54then obviously we release the seizure on them, it's as simple as that.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58Mr Collins tells Lawrence the paperwork is with the solicitors.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02Not getting the answers he needs, Lawrence makes a move.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06I'm going to take goods into protective custody.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10Mr Collins protests at having his office assets seized,
0:37:10 > 0:37:12so Lawrence offers him an alternative.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16If this gets paid today, we don't disperse the funds for 14 days.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19So that would give you time to seek legal advice
0:37:19 > 0:37:22and decide what you need to do.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25The man leaves to get the paperwork from his solicitors,
0:37:25 > 0:37:28which he believes will stop the sheriffs from seizing goods.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31Lawrence takes the opportunity to do some more digging,
0:37:31 > 0:37:34and it's not long before he strikes purple.
0:37:36 > 0:37:37To Purple. Here's another one.
0:37:37 > 0:37:42From Purple Spade Limited, amount due - £208.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44Nah, he's had it. We've got him now.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46- You reckon?- Yep.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49I told him I was going to do a diligent search, didn't I?
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Ready for battle, Lawrence is armed with invoices
0:37:52 > 0:37:54which he believes show Purple Spade Limited
0:37:54 > 0:37:58is still trading from these premises.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Instead of bringing back evidence proving Pink Spade Limited
0:38:01 > 0:38:03bought the assets from Purple Spade Limited,
0:38:03 > 0:38:07Mr Collins returns with his solicitor's advice.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10Pay now and use 14 days to try and prove his case.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15It's taken Lawrence and Kev over three hours of digging
0:38:15 > 0:38:18to get payment, but they've finally struck gold.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22- There you go, there's your receipt. - OK, bye-bye.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26He claims that all the assets owned by Purple Spade
0:38:26 > 0:38:28have been bought by Pink Spade.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31He couldn't really evidence much of that.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34You can't do any more that take full payment, so it's a pleasing result.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37A good way to finish. It was long, long-winded.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40Finally the sheriffs have done what no-one else could -
0:38:40 > 0:38:44get Don Linfoot the money that is rightfully his.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46It was a great weight lifted off me.
0:38:46 > 0:38:50It was nice of the sheriffs to have done what they were supposed to do
0:38:50 > 0:38:53and, you know, I owe them a great deal.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56I know that they drive vans, so if they're ever passing
0:38:56 > 0:38:59they can always call in and we'll have a look at it for them.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04John Collins of TVR Self-Drive told us...
0:39:19 > 0:39:21..in both repair costs
0:39:21 > 0:39:24and through being unable to hire out the vehicle.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00Dartford in Kent is the destination
0:40:00 > 0:40:03for Enforcement Officers Marc Newton and Tony Smith.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07While Marc negotiates the traffic on the A2,
0:40:07 > 0:40:10Tony gets to grips with what ought to be a straightforward case.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16We're going to Astra Site Services Limited
0:40:16 > 0:40:20and the amount is £5,347.65p.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24The claimant was a truck driver for Astra Site Services,
0:40:24 > 0:40:26who supply hydraulic equipment
0:40:26 > 0:40:29to the construction and demolition industries.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31The driver complained to the company
0:40:31 > 0:40:34that he was being asked to drive trucks that were overweight.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37He was dismissed with five days' notice,
0:40:37 > 0:40:40and took Astra Site Services to an employment tribunal.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44The company disputed that the vehicle was overweight,
0:40:44 > 0:40:47but the judge found he had been unfairly dismissed.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49He has never received the money he's owed,
0:40:49 > 0:40:52so the sheriffs are paying the company a visit.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56Astra Site Services' Dartford office is a Portakabin
0:40:56 > 0:40:58at the back of a yard,
0:40:58 > 0:41:01belonging to a company that has nothing to do with the case.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09That's it.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14- Hiya, is it Astra Site Services? - It is, yeah.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16We have a High Court writ that's been issued.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19I think it's an employment tribunal that wasn't paid.
0:41:19 > 0:41:20Wasn't paid?
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Wasn't paid, by the look of it.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26The Astra Site Services staff call their head office for advice.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37- Can I put you on to our head office? - Yeah, yeah.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40- The lady's name is Kim. - Hello, Kim. Hiya.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43With two sheriffs taking up office space
0:41:43 > 0:41:47and showing no sign of going away, the company agrees to pay.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50Are you on the faster payments system?
0:41:50 > 0:41:52It's a NatWest account.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54You need a reference number to attach to the payment.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58It's £5,347.65p.
0:42:01 > 0:42:02You're going to do that now, yeah?
0:42:02 > 0:42:05Cos I've just got to wait here until it's in. No problem.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10No worries. I will do. All right, lovely.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12Cheers, I'll pass you back to her. Bye.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16She said to tell her to make me a cup of tea.
0:42:18 > 0:42:19No, I'm fine, thanks.
0:42:21 > 0:42:22Although the company has agreed to pay,
0:42:22 > 0:42:27the sheriffs won't leave until the money is actually in their account.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Hello, mate, it's Marc.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31Can I just check and see if the money's gone in, please?
0:42:31 > 0:42:34No problem. Cheers, mate. Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:42:34 > 0:42:35Yeah, it's there.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37We'll just do you a receipt for it.
0:42:37 > 0:42:38Then we'll be out of your way.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44And that completes one of the sheriffs' easier jobs.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47Astra Site Services has been very helpful to Marc and Tony,
0:42:47 > 0:42:49but if they had been as efficient
0:42:49 > 0:42:52paying the money owed to its former employee,
0:42:52 > 0:42:55they would have saved itself a visit from the sheriffs.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57All right, thanks very much. Sorry to bother you.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59Cheers. Bye-bye. Bye-bye.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02Obviously the first they realised it hadn't been paid
0:43:02 > 0:43:03was when we turn up.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06To be honest, they got straight on the phone from the office there
0:43:06 > 0:43:09to the head office, who done the transfer straightaway,
0:43:09 > 0:43:13and just explained it was an oversight. Paid it straightaway.
0:43:13 > 0:43:14So it's all good.