0:00:02 > 0:00:04- Meet the sheriffs. - Let's go and introduce ourselves.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07- We're High Court Enforcement Officers.- We're 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's an arrestable offence to stop me doing my job.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16If you've been ripped off and don't know where to turn...
0:00:16 > 0:00:17I'm not waiting any more.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19I'm ordered to seize goods to clear this debt which would mean
0:00:19 > 0:00:21clearing this place out.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25If you've been to court but still not been paid what you're owed...
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 either let us 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 > 0:00:51Coming up - when the sheriffs visit a wedding photographer,
0:00:51 > 0:00:54they are surprised by what they find in his studio.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56I've got a half-naked woman in here.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59As the model covers up, will they recover the debt?
0:00:59 > 0:01:03So it's a choice of either payment or we have to seize the goods.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Samantha Millerchip paid a builder to carry out renovations in her house
0:01:08 > 0:01:11but he walked off the job without finishing it
0:01:11 > 0:01:13and took her money with him.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16I just thought I'm not going to be getting any money back
0:01:16 > 0:01:17for any materials.
0:01:17 > 0:01:22She's got a High Court writ to try and get her money back.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Can the sheriffs now get it for her?
0:01:26 > 0:01:28When an electrician can't get the money he's owed,
0:01:28 > 0:01:32Sheriff Pete Spencer goes in to collect the debt.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34- Looking for Inner-space.- Get off me.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41- As things turn nasty, the police are called.- I need police assistance.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45Will Pete get out of the building safely, and recover the money?
0:01:45 > 0:01:47You're not getting out of here without giving me
0:01:47 > 0:01:48that memory card, mate.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50- Just give us one second, let go. - That is assault.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Sheriffs Craig Wild and Tom Coyle
0:01:57 > 0:02:00are in a city famous for apples, porcelain, and sauce.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Right, we're in Worcester today,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07another lovely rainy day we've got ahead of us.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12We're after an individual, a Mr David Purslow.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16The claimant is a Mrs Anna Edenborough.
0:02:16 > 0:02:21It's a balance of £7,527.37 we're after today
0:02:21 > 0:02:23which is not a small balance.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28Anna Edenborough hired photographer David Purslow to take
0:02:28 > 0:02:31pictures of her wedding in August 2011.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35But after the newlyweds returned from honeymoon,
0:02:35 > 0:02:38she had not received her photos.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41The proofs on David Purslow's website looked good,
0:02:41 > 0:02:43but despite Anna chasing him,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Mr Purslow never sent the full-quality photos.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48I reckon we went past it.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51Over a year later, there were still no photos,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54so Anna took the photographer to court.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57He didn't contest the case, and now he hasn't paid the money
0:02:57 > 0:02:58awarded by the court
0:02:58 > 0:03:03which, with costs and interest, is just over £7,500.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12Determined to get Anna Edenborough her money,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15the sheriffs approach the photographic studio.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21- Hello.- David Purslow?- Yeah.- Could I have a work with you in private?
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Not at the moment, I'm in the middle of something.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25- I need to speak to you. - You'll have to wait.
0:03:25 > 0:03:26I can't wait, unfortunately.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28I've got a half-naked woman in here.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30- Do you want to come in at the moment?- Eh...
0:03:30 > 0:03:31No, can you give me ten minutes?
0:03:31 > 0:03:36- No, I can't let the door be shut cos I'm from the Sheriffs Office.- Oh. OK.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40Defendants give the sheriffs many reasons for not entering premises,
0:03:40 > 0:03:44but the presence of a half-naked woman is among the more unusual.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Tom has powers to enter commercial premises,
0:03:47 > 0:03:49so he's not going to let the studio door close
0:03:49 > 0:03:52but he agrees to avert his eyes while the model covers up
0:03:52 > 0:03:54before continuing.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- We're here with a High Court order. - OK.
0:03:57 > 0:04:04We're here for a balance of £7,527.37 to do with a Mrs Anna Edenborough.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07- You haven't got that today?- No.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11I'm completely unaware, I've got no idea. Who is Anna Edenborough?
0:04:13 > 0:04:17To jog Mr Purslow's memory, Tom looks through the court paperwork.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20It doesn't reveal much.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25She supplied evidence to a county court that you owe that balance.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28I've had no paperwork here or anything like this.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30But Tom's sure the debt is genuine,
0:04:30 > 0:04:34and his live writ means he needs to resolve it today.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- Our job here today is to ask you for the money.- Right.
0:04:37 > 0:04:38Unfortunately, if you can't pay,
0:04:38 > 0:04:40then we're to seize goods in lieu of payment,
0:04:40 > 0:04:41anything that's here.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48Craig calls HQ to see if they can shed more light on the case.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51One second, Joan, I'll put you on speakerphone, all right? One second.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Craig and Tom know they've got the details right
0:05:07 > 0:05:09and should press on.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13So it's a choice of either payment or we have to seize the goods.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17Mr Purslow says he hasn't got £7,000.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19Then we're going to have to seize the goods.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Anything else will be going as well, i.e. any vehicles.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26At auction value.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30Normally about 10% of its true value so, as you can imagine,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32we'd have to remove a lot of stuff.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37With the prospect of the sheriffs seizing a lot of goods to pay off
0:05:37 > 0:05:43the £7,000 debt, Mr Purslow realises he'll have to try to raise funds.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Best thing to do is start making some calls.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Checking through his e-mails,
0:05:47 > 0:05:49the photographer finds one from his former client,
0:05:49 > 0:05:53complaining that she has not received her disc of wedding photos
0:05:53 > 0:05:58but he's sure he's had no letters from her or the court.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01She's put it in the hands of the courts now, she won't deal with you.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03It's a court decision now.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05The model, who was having
0:06:05 > 0:06:07one of the increasingly-popular "boudoir" shoots prior
0:06:07 > 0:06:11to her wedding when the sheriffs turned up, is still in the studio.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16The shoot clearly over, she wants to put her clothes on and leave.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Once in a commercial building, the sheriffs won't leave
0:06:19 > 0:06:21but they do promise not to look.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25I'll face the wall here so it's OK, no problem at all.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Mr Purslow is no longer denying any knowledge of the debt
0:06:31 > 0:06:33but he's not paying either.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Time to tell Mr Purslow where things stand.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39So we're going to start listing everything down to see the numbers
0:06:39 > 0:06:43and if you can't raise it, you've got roughly an hour
0:06:43 > 0:06:46then we're going to have to start looking at taking the goods.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Mr Purslow doesn't have the money,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51but he's convinced his sister to pay.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Craig makes the arrangements.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Is it in a debit card account that you have?
0:06:58 > 0:07:00OK, how far away are you from here?
0:07:00 > 0:07:04- I'll have a sit down.- Yes. Is that yours, is it?- It is mine.
0:07:04 > 0:07:0820 minutes later, the photographer's sister arrives.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10She doesn't want to be filmed.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Mr Purslow's £7,000 debt arose
0:07:12 > 0:07:16when he failed to deliver a disc of wedding photos to a bride.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20Finally, his sister's paid his debt by debit card.
0:07:20 > 0:07:21We'll give you a copy of that
0:07:21 > 0:07:23and a copy of all the paperwork we'll leave you with today.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- All right.- All right, David? Well, thank you for your time.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- You take care of yourself.- Not a pleasure, but thank you very much.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31- No, no, thank you very much. - Thank you for your time.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38With the debt settled, Mr Purslow wants to put his side of the story.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42There's Anna Karina and David's photos all online,
0:07:42 > 0:07:44all accessible of which she's had.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48However, it does say in the contract and the paperwork
0:07:48 > 0:07:51that they will get a disc of images of this
0:07:51 > 0:07:56which I believe I have sent, she says she hasn't got.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00The paperwork went to an address I was at eight years ago,
0:08:00 > 0:08:04seven, eight years ago, which the court guys say is probably my fault
0:08:04 > 0:08:07because it was on the bottom of the paperwork and everything.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Being a small business and relying on cash flow,
0:08:09 > 0:08:10I didn't have the money,
0:08:10 > 0:08:13so I called my amazing sister who I love very, very much.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18He says it's not an excuse, but Mr Purslow tells us
0:08:18 > 0:08:21he was being treated for cancer shortly after the wedding,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25and that may explain why this job didn't get his full attention.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27But he's learned from today.
0:08:27 > 0:08:28For the sake of a 50p disc...
0:08:30 > 0:08:34When you leave, I've got to deal with my sister for £7,500.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37It's horrific and frightening and, you know,
0:08:37 > 0:08:39got to get your paperwork sorted out.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Big lesson from the day is don't...
0:08:41 > 0:08:44You've got to make sure your address is correct and everything like that.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47It's a good result for claimant Anna Edenborough,
0:08:47 > 0:08:50who was unable to get her wedding photos but now,
0:08:50 > 0:08:51thanks to the sheriffs,
0:08:51 > 0:08:55will be getting the money a court says is hers.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59He was in mid-shoot, it looked like, as we turned up.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01We had to be quite respectful, as we always are,
0:09:01 > 0:09:06but at the same time, I still need to get into the building to do my job.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08And Craig assures us
0:09:08 > 0:09:13this is one job where he's glad he was second in to the premises.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17I'm glad that Tom, yeah, did his job.
0:09:17 > 0:09:18Got into the premises
0:09:18 > 0:09:22which is always the difficult part for any enforcement officer
0:09:22 > 0:09:24but, yeah, well pleased he got in there
0:09:24 > 0:09:27and I was quick to follow but not that quick.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42It's early in the morning, dark and cold,
0:09:42 > 0:09:46the usual conditions that see sheriffs out and about.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Today, Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally are heading to the
0:09:49 > 0:09:54South Coast on behalf of another out-of-pocket member of the public.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57We're just coming into Southampton.
0:09:57 > 0:10:03It's a residential address for a defendant by the name of Paul Wyllie.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07I believe he fitted...
0:10:07 > 0:10:10He did some building work for our claimant.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15The person they're on their way to help is
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Samantha Millerchip from Gosport in Hampshire.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Recently, she wanted her bathroom refitted
0:10:21 > 0:10:24and was looking for a suitable builder to take on the work.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28My mum gave me a lump sum of money
0:10:28 > 0:10:31because she knew I wanted to do some home improvements.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34I put a post on Facebook to ask
0:10:34 > 0:10:37if anybody knew someone they could recommend
0:10:37 > 0:10:39because I had no idea on this type of thing
0:10:39 > 0:10:41and I wanted my bathroom refitted to start with
0:10:41 > 0:10:44because it was a very old bathroom.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48It wasn't long until a friend recommended a local builder,
0:10:48 > 0:10:49Paul Wyllie.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Samantha called him in and, happy with his quote,
0:10:52 > 0:10:54asked him to start the work.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59Once he started, the five-six day job did take longer,
0:10:59 > 0:11:01it was more like three weeks
0:11:01 > 0:11:05because he didn't always turn up every day when he said he would
0:11:05 > 0:11:07but he did do a really good job of the bathroom
0:11:07 > 0:11:09which I was pleased with.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13Happy with this work, Samantha took the opportunity to suggest
0:11:13 > 0:11:15other important jobs she needed doing -
0:11:15 > 0:11:19removing her carpets and laying down a wooden floor,
0:11:19 > 0:11:23putting new fittings in the kitchen and redecorating the front room.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27He was very convincing of how he could get the rest of the work
0:11:27 > 0:11:31done in the house that I needed to do at a relatively good price.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36I trusted him that that would be the case so I was happy to pay him
0:11:36 > 0:11:39the money for the materials and pay him money for labour
0:11:39 > 0:11:41on the basis that he would come and do it.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Liking his quote, Samantha agreed to the job
0:11:46 > 0:11:49and paid up front for work and materials.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53But soon after work had started, problems began to appear.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56So he'd come round for a couple of hours at a time
0:11:56 > 0:11:59and not really get a lot of work done.
0:11:59 > 0:12:00This went on and on
0:12:00 > 0:12:04and I'd constantly be texting him, phoning him and chasing him up.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07But worse was to come.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11Samantha and Mr Wyllie agreed to a revised deadline.
0:12:11 > 0:12:12She was going on holiday
0:12:12 > 0:12:16and he agreed all work would be completed by the time she returned.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20But when she did get back, the work wasn't finished
0:12:20 > 0:12:23and Mr Wyllie was nowhere to be found.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25I tried to phone Mr Wyllie a few times
0:12:25 > 0:12:27after the final deadline.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29He didn't answer his calls.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32I did send him a text message and it was at that point that he said
0:12:32 > 0:12:34he had bitten off more than he could chew,
0:12:34 > 0:12:36he wasn't going to be able to finish the work
0:12:36 > 0:12:38but, of course, he'd be returning the materials
0:12:38 > 0:12:40that he had bought to date
0:12:40 > 0:12:43and returning the money I had paid for labour
0:12:43 > 0:12:45and he acted quite offended
0:12:45 > 0:12:48that I suggested that he may not still have the money.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52So he agreed that he'd be returning it all
0:12:52 > 0:12:54and then nothing since.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58At this point, I didn't believe a word he had said.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03And Samantha was even less happy at the quality of the work he had done.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06She's since had to have repairs carried out.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09He told me the skirting boards he had fitted to my walls
0:13:09 > 0:13:12were so bowed because my walls were an uneven shape
0:13:12 > 0:13:14but apparently that wasn't the case at all.
0:13:14 > 0:13:19He had just basically cut them too long and rammed them in.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21I had new flooring,
0:13:21 > 0:13:25click-and-lock flooring that you just put into place but it turns out
0:13:25 > 0:13:28he's basically glued it with very strong glue.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32The whole point of the flooring is you can move it if necessary.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35There were no fronts on any of my cupboards.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37The shower he had installed then turned out to leak
0:13:37 > 0:13:42so I had a big damp patch on my bathroom ceiling.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47For me, personally, it was a really stressful time.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51I had a lot of problems sleeping cos I was worrying about it a lot.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53My mum, like I said, had just been diagnosed with cancer
0:13:53 > 0:13:57so it wasn't something I particularly wanted to keep
0:13:57 > 0:13:59sharing with her or telling her what was going on
0:13:59 > 0:14:03because it was, you know, she had enough on her plate as it was.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07Samantha felt she had no choice but to bring legal action.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Mr Wyllie didn't contest the case
0:14:09 > 0:14:12and a judgment was issued in Samantha's favour.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Despite this, she still hasn't been paid.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19Her only hope now of seeing her money lies with the sheriffs.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30And hoping to get her the money she's owed,
0:14:30 > 0:14:34Lawrence and Kev arrive at Paul Wyllie's house.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43- Hello, sir. Mr Wyllie, yeah?- Yeah.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- My name's Mr Grix, I'm an enforcement officer.- Mm-hm.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49We're here today to execute a High Court writ against you
0:14:49 > 0:14:52on behalf of a Mrs Samantha Millerchip.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56We're here today to seize goods to the value of £4,703.08.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59The only way you can prevent further action is to pay in full
0:14:59 > 0:15:00so how would you like to pay?
0:15:03 > 0:15:04Right, then we'll be taking your van, sir.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- It's your job?- Yeah.
0:15:07 > 0:15:08You've got two vans here, sir.
0:15:10 > 0:15:11But you're Wyllie and Son?
0:15:11 > 0:15:14You're not a sole trader so you can't claim "tools of the trade".
0:15:14 > 0:15:17That is not solely for your use in the conduct of your business
0:15:17 > 0:15:21because you're a partnership with your son, Wyllie and Son,
0:15:21 > 0:15:23so you can use the Astra.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27Lawrence and Kev are invited inside to discuss with Mr Wyllie
0:15:27 > 0:15:29the money he owes Samantha Millerchip.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35Mr Wyllie tells Lawrence and Kev he can't afford to pay today.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40The van's looking like Lawrence's best bet for getting the money paid.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Kev comes out to fill us in.
0:15:44 > 0:15:49Mr Wyllie knew all about the debt, he just didn't expect to see us.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53He's claiming he's got £3,000 coming to him on Monday.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56We need to take some money now and see what happens from there.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01Inside, Lawrence pushes on with the enforcement.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06At the moment, the van's the only leverage we've got.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09So, providing it's not on finance, I think we'll be taking it.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11The son's emptying out the van.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16He's possibly resigned to the fact that's it going to go.
0:16:16 > 0:16:21Kev stays outside to make sure the van doesn't get driven off.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24But inside, Lawrence is making some progress on behalf
0:16:24 > 0:16:27of Samantha Millerchip and her money.
0:16:28 > 0:16:34With his van in jeopardy, Mr Wyllie agrees to strike a deal.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37He'll pay some today, some more the following week
0:16:37 > 0:16:39and the balance at the end of the month.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44- Can you bring the card machine, Kev, please?- Yeah.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49So, let's go and see how much.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51And with that, Lawrence leaves.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55He's not only got a substantial down-payment for Samantha
0:16:55 > 0:16:57and a promise of more to come,
0:16:57 > 0:16:59he's also got a signed Walking Possession agreement
0:16:59 > 0:17:04which means if Mr Wyllie doesn't pay the rest of what he owes,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Lawrence can come back for the van and other listed assets.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Basically, I've taken £1,200 today,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13he's going to pay another £2,000 on Tuesday
0:17:13 > 0:17:16and the balance at the end of the month.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19I'm pretty sure he's going to stick to that.
0:17:19 > 0:17:20If he doesn't, we'll be back.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22We've got some money out of it
0:17:22 > 0:17:26which is as much as we could do today, to be fair.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34But Mr Wyllie didn't make any of the additional payments he'd promised.
0:17:34 > 0:17:39So Lawrence and Kev were forced to pay him another visit.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41He hasn't paid any more.
0:17:41 > 0:17:46He's phoned the office on a few occasions saying he's going to pay
0:17:46 > 0:17:49but basically he hasn't paid anything
0:17:49 > 0:17:52so we're going to potentially remove goods today.
0:17:54 > 0:17:59Once inside, Mr Wyllie told Lawrence he did try to pay some money,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02but that he had problems with making the payment over the phone.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Lawrence took a further £1,000 payment from him
0:18:07 > 0:18:10and arranged for a payment plan for the balance.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12I've told him he's got to submit a proposal in writing
0:18:12 > 0:18:17within five days. It's got to be a reasonable amount of money
0:18:17 > 0:18:22but something he knows he can pay and if that's accepted by the client
0:18:22 > 0:18:26then, provided he sticks to it, he won't need to see us back again.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30For Samantha Millerchip, it means finally getting
0:18:30 > 0:18:34some of the money she's owed, with, hopefully, the rest to follow.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Really, really good news,
0:18:36 > 0:18:39very positive because I had, in my mind,
0:18:39 > 0:18:41I had kind of written it off because I didn't think I would be
0:18:41 > 0:18:43able to get anything back.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49And providing he keeps up the repayments and makes the payments
0:18:49 > 0:18:52as agreed then, yes, justice has been served.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56And to date, Mr Wyllie has stuck to his payment plan.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Being a sheriff often involves a little detective work.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Debtors can be hard to track down.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Sometimes they try to evade payment,
0:19:13 > 0:19:15sometimes they just move.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21Sheriff Pete Spencer has been trying to track down Inner-space Lofts for a while.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25They owe money to an electrician who did work for them but wasn't paid
0:19:25 > 0:19:27but they've proved hard to find.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30I've been to three or four other addresses for this company already
0:19:30 > 0:19:34so this will be the fourth address that we'll be attending for them.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37This time Pete's done a "trace" on the company
0:19:37 > 0:19:39and they've turned up in Leyland, Lancashire,
0:19:39 > 0:19:41sharing premises with another unrelated company.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50As Pete rolls up to the address, it looks promising.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52Well, they've got a vehicle parked outside,
0:19:52 > 0:19:55relating to the company we're looking for.
0:19:55 > 0:19:56Let's go and have a look.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02If Inner-space are here, they must be in an inner space.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05Hiya, I'm looking for Inner-space.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08- How are you doing, you all right? - You're in the wrong place.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10- Seems like the right place. - Take it off me.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15But before Pete gets any further, the man grabs the camera.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- Get the- BLEEP- off.- This is Mr Bond.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20He tells our cameraman to leave
0:20:20 > 0:20:22and turns his attention to the sheriff.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- He tells Pete to leave. - I don't have to leave.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28I've got a High Court writ to attend this address.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Despite the Inner-space branded van outside,
0:20:31 > 0:20:32and his own Inner-space shirt,
0:20:32 > 0:20:36Mr Bond tells Pete Inner-space Lofts is not here.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38They've done a trace to this address.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41He says Inner-space has shut down, but Pete knows otherwise,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44and wants to hear about assets he could seize.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48So the Vauxhall van outside, who's that registered to at the moment?
0:20:48 > 0:20:52Mr Bond tells Pete that the debt is owed to an electrician
0:20:52 > 0:20:53who worked for him.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55He owed the man £1,000,
0:20:55 > 0:20:58but after a disagreement, doesn't intend to pay anything.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00- You need to get the- BLEEP- out, mate.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Mr Bond discovers our cameraman is outside,
0:21:03 > 0:21:05and comes down to tell him to stop filming.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08- Give me the- BLEEP. - Hold on one second!
0:21:08 > 0:21:10He grabs the camera, breaking the viewfinder.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Let go of the camera. If not, I'll phone the police.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- Phone the police, mate. - You've just broken the camera.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17Still holding the camera,
0:21:17 > 0:21:20he asks for the memory card containing the pictures.
0:21:20 > 0:21:21Give me the memory card out of there.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23Just let go of the camera one second.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28Then he drags the camera and cameraman back into the building.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31Just give us one second. Let go for one second.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33Once he has the cameraman inside,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36he says he's not letting him or Pete Spencer out.
0:21:36 > 0:21:37You're not going out of here
0:21:37 > 0:21:41without giving me that memory card, mate.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43I can promise you, mate.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- I can promise you, mate, if you want to come in here with your- BLEEP...
0:21:46 > 0:21:49Effectively held prisoner, Pete calls the police.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54I'm a High Court enforcement officer. I'm at a premises in Leyland.
0:21:54 > 0:21:55I need police assistance.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59I've got a BBC cameraman with me who's having problems
0:21:59 > 0:22:03with the people on the premises and they're refusing to let us leave.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05You can hear in the background,
0:22:05 > 0:22:07they're refusing to let us leave the premises.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10The problem is what you're doing is actually assault on the cameraman
0:22:10 > 0:22:13at the moment, so that's why the police are going to have to come.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15You've touched the camera, you've touched him.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18- I've not assaulted him.- No, that is assault. Touching him is assault.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22The police arrive in force.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26Our cameraman is released,
0:22:26 > 0:22:28but the police ask us to stop filming inside
0:22:28 > 0:22:30while they sort out the situation.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34Mr Bond explains to them that he doesn't believe the debt
0:22:34 > 0:22:38owed to the electrician is anything like the figure on the writ.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41But the police are here to deal with Mr Bond obstructing
0:22:41 > 0:22:44an enforcement officer, and assaulting our cameraman.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46An assault has taken place.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48All parties, luckily, have been separated,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51however the cameraman had been assaulted
0:22:51 > 0:22:54and, of course, we had to deal with that proactively.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56We're going to take his details,
0:22:56 > 0:22:58see if there is any damage to the camera
0:22:58 > 0:23:02and deal with the occupant and the premises owner at a later date.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06PETE: The police had a very good response, really, to be fair.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10We did explain to him that he can't kidnap us and keep us imprisoned
0:23:10 > 0:23:14and I had no other choice but to call the police.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16We had several units here in under five minutes
0:23:16 > 0:23:19and they've obviously dealt with the situation
0:23:19 > 0:23:21and are still dealing with it now.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Finally able to get on with his job,
0:23:24 > 0:23:26Pete checks the status of the Inner-space van
0:23:26 > 0:23:29with the HPI register.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31It's on finance.
0:23:31 > 0:23:32This means it can't be seized
0:23:32 > 0:23:36as it doesn't belong to Inner-space Loft Conversions.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38It's been an eventful visit.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Unfortunately, there's no assets here.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42The vehicle that is here belonging to the defendant
0:23:42 > 0:23:44has got finance on it, so that's of no interest to us,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47and there's no property inside belonging to that defendant.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49He's just basically sharing a desk.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54The other guy who's going to prove all the goods belong to him
0:23:54 > 0:23:57has been here for years, so no doubt that will happen.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59That's where we're at today. We've left paperwork.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03We're just en route to the police station now to do statements.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09Since we filmed, Mr Bond appeared before Leyland Magistrates Court,
0:24:09 > 0:24:13where he admitted assaulting our cameraman, and grabbing the camera.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16He was given a 12-month conditional discharge.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20Despite Pete seeking Inner-space Lofts at four different addresses,
0:24:20 > 0:24:24when he found them, there were no assets belonging to the business.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26For the moment, the electrician who brought the case
0:24:26 > 0:24:30still does not have the money the law says is rightfully his.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Andrew Bond of Inner-space Loft Conversions told us
0:24:35 > 0:24:39his firm was in a dispute with the claimant which was ongoing.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42He said he had disputed the original court claim
0:24:42 > 0:24:45by sending relevant documentation to the court.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48He disputed that he caused damaged to our camera,
0:24:48 > 0:24:51pointing out this was not proven in court.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54He believes the situation has been blown out of proportion
0:24:54 > 0:24:57and blamed our cameraman for antagonising it
0:24:57 > 0:24:59by continuing to film from outside.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11On a grey morning in the Home Counties,
0:25:11 > 0:25:14enforcement officers Lawrence and Kev are charged
0:25:14 > 0:25:17with recovering an unpaid debt for a motorbike racer.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23We're in Reading, on our way to a company called TriCounty Motorcycles,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26on behalf of a claimant, Ms Louise Powell.
0:25:26 > 0:25:32Today we're looking to seize goods to the value of £2,662.08.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35Louise Powell is a motorbike racer.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39Following a repair to her machine by TriCounty Motorcycles,
0:25:39 > 0:25:41it failed to start at the race track.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43She had it repaired again by another company,
0:25:43 > 0:25:47and has taken TriCounty Motorcycles to court for the cost.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49They didn't appear to contest the case,
0:25:49 > 0:25:52and the judgment was in Louise's favour.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55But they haven't paid, so now she's been to the High Court,
0:25:55 > 0:25:58and Lawrence and Kev are rolling up at TriCounty Motorcycles
0:25:58 > 0:26:00to get her the money she's owed.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11- Hi, there. Do you work here, mate? - Yeah.- Yeah?
0:26:11 > 0:26:13My name's Mr Grix. We're enforcement officers.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19If TriCounty Motorcycles don't pay, Lawrence and Kev will seize
0:26:19 > 0:26:23and, if necessary, remove goods to sell at auction
0:26:23 > 0:26:25and the showroom is filled
0:26:25 > 0:26:27with promising-looking bikes and equipment.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31Basically, we've got a High Court writ to execute
0:26:31 > 0:26:35against TriCounty Motorcycles on behalf of a Louise Powell.
0:26:35 > 0:26:36OK, yeah.
0:26:36 > 0:26:41We're here today to seize goods to the value of £2,662.08.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44The only way to prevent further action is to pay in full.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Right, OK, we've been in touch with Trading Standards
0:26:47 > 0:26:50and they said they were dealing with it for us.
0:26:50 > 0:26:51In what way?
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Because the bike was never brought back to us to be put right.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59The business owner says Trading Standards told him
0:26:59 > 0:27:02that he should have had a chance to repair the bike.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05But because the case has now been to court and there's a live writ,
0:27:05 > 0:27:08this isn't something the sheriffs can get involved with.
0:27:09 > 0:27:14- They actually went through the county court on 20th August.- OK.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16At that point,
0:27:16 > 0:27:21- you were ordered to pay 1,542.95... - Mmm-hmm.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25- ..with judgment costs of £80.- OK.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28- Because you didn't pay... - Right, OK, if I'd known...
0:27:28 > 0:27:32At that point, it would have been 14 days, pay in full within 14 days.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Because you didn't, she's within her rights to transfer it
0:27:34 > 0:27:36to the High Court for enforcement purposes...
0:27:36 > 0:27:38- Fair enough.- ..which is what she's done,
0:27:38 > 0:27:41which obviously incurs more costs.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44There's interest going on at 36 pence a day at the moment.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Obviously, there's our costs coming out.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50There's execution costs, which brings the bill to £2,662.08.
0:27:50 > 0:27:51I haven't got it, so...
0:27:51 > 0:27:54We're not ordered out to collect money today.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56We're ordered out to seize goods to clear the debt.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Right, good luck.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02I'm not being rude, please don't take it the wrong way. Right, can...
0:28:02 > 0:28:05At this point the owner asks our camera to leave.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08He says the business can't pay the debt.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Worse for claimant Louise Powell,
0:28:11 > 0:28:14the motorbikes in the shop are all on sale or return,
0:28:14 > 0:28:16don't belong to the business and can't be seized.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20Kev turns to the other stock.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24You've got a few lids there and a bit of clothing.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27The owner offers to box up some stock to be seized,
0:28:27 > 0:28:29but Lawrence knows it's not a good option.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34We're ordered to take goods. It's always a last resort for us.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37The simplest way is if you can pay it,
0:28:37 > 0:28:40if you can find some way of coming up with it.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42The owner says the business can't pay
0:28:42 > 0:28:47and asks if helmets, costing up to £200 each, would cover the debt.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49Lawrence isn't optimistic.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52If that goes to auction and somebody bids 20 quid on it
0:28:52 > 0:28:53and they're the only bidder,
0:28:53 > 0:28:55it's very much whether it would clear it or not.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57If it didn't, you'd still have an outstanding debt
0:28:57 > 0:28:59and we'd have to come back.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02The owner agrees there's no point auctioning helmets
0:29:02 > 0:29:03for a fraction of their value,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06especially if this wouldn't even clear the debt.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09The only way, really, is to pay.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11Is there anybody that can help you out with it?
0:29:12 > 0:29:15The owner agrees to make a part payment.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18In my estimation, there isn't enough stock there to clear the debt.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22Not at what it would get at auction,
0:29:22 > 0:29:25so we're getting half today on a card...
0:29:27 > 0:29:30..and then the balance,
0:29:30 > 0:29:31in a week or so.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34He wanted us to take bits of his old stock to try and clear it,
0:29:34 > 0:29:37the stuff he hasn't been able to shift for a while
0:29:37 > 0:29:38and see what the balance was after that.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40It doesn't work like that.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43We're not interested in removing stuff that's not going to sell.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47And with that, it's all over.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50One of the business owners pays on a credit card.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54That's yours, the rest of your paperwork.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56Thank you. We'll leave you in peace.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02With the payment made, the owner wants to put his side of the story.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05We had a young lady who used to race for us for about four years.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07She left and moved on and about, say,
0:30:07 > 0:30:11eight months or a year after, her bike came back with problems.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15We sorted it out. She went to a race meeting. The bike didn't start.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17She took the bike somewhere else.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20We got written with a bill of 1,600 quid.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23We rung Trading Standards and they said,
0:30:23 > 0:30:25"What would it have cost us to put it right?"
0:30:25 > 0:30:28and it would have only cost us 400-500 quid to put it right.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30We were never given the chance and, basically,
0:30:30 > 0:30:34today they have come in to seize the goods of that amount.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Lawrence is walking away with only part of the money,
0:30:37 > 0:30:40but he's confident he'll get the rest.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44I've said it before, but it seemed like a couple of fairly honest guys.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51Didn't muck us about, there was no aggression,
0:30:51 > 0:30:54they just seemed a couple of straight-up fellas.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56Getting payment of half of it is OK.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58I think he's going to make every effort to make
0:30:58 > 0:31:01the rest of the payments as soon as he can.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03One of them paid it on his own personal credit card,
0:31:03 > 0:31:06so it's not like the company had the money to pay it.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11He said that's what he does when the company card's maxed out -
0:31:11 > 0:31:12he uses his own.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15You can't really argue with that.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17They had some lovely bikes in there, to be fair.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Some of the new KTMs were great. I'd have one of those.
0:31:28 > 0:31:29Lawrence and Kev work for this
0:31:29 > 0:31:32High Court enforcement company in south London.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36High Court enforcement officers enforce 70,000 writs
0:31:36 > 0:31:39and collect £65 million a year...
0:31:39 > 0:31:41Can I have a word with you, please?
0:31:41 > 0:31:44I've got a High Court writ. I'm executing it here today.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46..money rightfully owed to their clients.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48You were obliged to pay it.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52- End of story.- If it's not paid, we'll be removing the stock.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56A High Court writ costs £60.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59If the sheriffs are successful, there's nothing more to pay.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03If they're unsuccessful, the only cost is a £60 admin fee.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05Are you going to pay in full, sir?
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Right, I'll get the crowbar out of my van.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19Enforcement officers Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally
0:32:19 > 0:32:21are in the van again and heading into Kent.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25We're off to a defendant by the name of Graham Campbell.
0:32:25 > 0:32:31The total debt outstanding is £3,253.18
0:32:31 > 0:32:35and our claimant is Sussex Turnery and Moulding Company Ltd.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42The debt is for several orders of timber
0:32:42 > 0:32:44from Sussex Turnery and Moulding Company Ltd,
0:32:44 > 0:32:47which Mr Campbell didn't pay for.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49When he stopped replying to communications,
0:32:49 > 0:32:51the company took him to court.
0:32:51 > 0:32:56Mr Campbell didn't contest the case and was ordered to pay.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59The company, operating in Sussex since 1957,
0:32:59 > 0:33:03still hasn't received the money, and has called in Lawrence and Kev.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06Looks like we're getting closer.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08A visit to an antiques dealer
0:33:08 > 0:33:11with a debt is a promising job for both our sheriffs.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15Hopefully he'll have some antiques of some value...
0:33:16 > 0:33:20..that we can seize and, if need be, remove to clear the debt.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24That's when I hand over to Kev, my antiques guru.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27My dad's had an antiques, furniture business
0:33:27 > 0:33:28for the last 35 years.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33I worked there for a bit, growing up,
0:33:33 > 0:33:34in and around the shop.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37I know a fair bit about furniture, I guess.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44The sheriffs are attending the address on the writ,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47although the debtor is one of a number of antiques dealers
0:33:47 > 0:33:48trading at the premises.
0:33:50 > 0:33:51Hello, there.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53Looking for Graham Campbell.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55- He's not here?- No.
0:33:58 > 0:33:59Right.
0:34:01 > 0:34:02Yes, please, yeah.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07As the other trader calls the debtor, Mr Campbell,
0:34:07 > 0:34:08it's clear there are plenty
0:34:08 > 0:34:11of potentially valuable antiques around.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13As the place is used by several dealers,
0:34:13 > 0:34:15the challenge will be pinning down
0:34:15 > 0:34:18exactly what belongs to the man on Lawrence's writ.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23- Hello, sir. - Graham Campbell is on the phone.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26My name's Mr Grix. I'm an enforcement officer.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28I'm here to execute a High Court writ
0:34:28 > 0:34:32in favour of Sussex Turnery and Moulding Company Ltd.
0:34:32 > 0:34:38I'm here today to seize goods to the value of £3,253.18.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40The only way to prevent further action today
0:34:40 > 0:34:41is to pay it in full, sir.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46But Mr Campbell says he's never heard of the claimant,
0:34:46 > 0:34:48Sussex Turnery and Moulding Company.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50That's obviously their official name.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53They may have a trading name that I don't know of.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Mr Campbell agrees to meet the sheriffs.
0:34:56 > 0:34:57OK, sir, that's fine.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59Yep, yep, if you make your way back here,
0:34:59 > 0:35:01we'll speak to you when you get here.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08While they wait, Kev sizes up the situation.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11That's 120 quid. Edwardian, is it?
0:35:11 > 0:35:13Solid wood, it's a good bit of furniture for £120.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16Everyone loves a cuckoo clock.
0:35:18 > 0:35:19Bit of taxidermy.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23It's all fashionable at the moment, though, massively.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27His years around the family antiques business clearly aren't wasted.
0:35:27 > 0:35:28It's broken.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32Lawrence discovers a shocking truth -
0:35:32 > 0:35:34he's become a museum piece.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37It's amazing the things from my youth that are now worth money.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Look at these little Thomas The Tank Engine things.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41There's loads of...
0:35:41 > 0:35:44It's all very interesting, all these little bits and pieces.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48Lawrence and Kev's Antiques Roadshow is brought to a halt by the arrival
0:35:48 > 0:35:52of business owner Graham Campbell, who asks our camera to leave.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57He says he doesn't know anything about this debt,
0:35:57 > 0:35:59and doesn't want to pay.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03But Lawrence's writ says he owes the money and must pay today.
0:36:03 > 0:36:08We do hold the money for 14 days so you might be able to take
0:36:08 > 0:36:11legal action in the meantime.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14With two sheriffs bearing a High Court writ on his premises,
0:36:14 > 0:36:17and some of his antiques about to leave them,
0:36:17 > 0:36:20Mr Campbell realises he has no choice other than to pay -
0:36:20 > 0:36:24though he still says he doesn't know what he's paying for.
0:36:24 > 0:36:25Here's the account number
0:36:25 > 0:36:27and you just need to put that reference number on.
0:36:27 > 0:36:33Mr Campbell realises the debt could be to a company he calls STAMCO.
0:36:33 > 0:36:38Yes. STAMCO. That's it. Sussex Turning And Moulding - STAM.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43That's what it is. So you knew all about that one.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48Mr Campbell tells the sheriffs he ordered some timber from STAMCO,
0:36:48 > 0:36:52but some arrived warped and he paid only for the good bits.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54But he didn't make this point in court,
0:36:54 > 0:36:57and now he's paying the amount on the writ.
0:36:57 > 0:37:02£3,253.18, subject to clearance into the SHCE accounts.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04If you just want to sign and print.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08- Right. We'll leave you in peace, Mr Campbell.- Thanks, mate. Bye-bye.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14A good result for the company that supplied the timber,
0:37:14 > 0:37:17who will now be getting the money the court agrees is theirs.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20And once they'd convinced the antiques dealer he really did
0:37:20 > 0:37:25owe the money, a straightforward assignment for the sheriffs.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27The debtor wasn't there when we got there
0:37:27 > 0:37:30but the people in the shop called him and he was there within 20 minutes.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32Initially he didn't recognise the name of our claimant,
0:37:32 > 0:37:37Sussex Turnery And Moulding Company. He knows them as STAMCO.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41When I put two and two together and realised that it was STAMCO,
0:37:41 > 0:37:46he knew about the debt. It was for the supply of some wood,
0:37:46 > 0:37:50which he claims wasn't of merchantable quality, really.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53The fella was a nice enough guy in there. Held his hands up to it once
0:37:53 > 0:37:58- we'd established what it was.- All in all, a nice, easy, successful job.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07Mr Campbell told us he...
0:38:12 > 0:38:15He said he was a self-employed man...
0:38:34 > 0:38:37Enforcement Officers Craig and Tom are in the van again
0:38:37 > 0:38:39and driving through sunny Shropshire,
0:38:39 > 0:38:42to recover an unpaid debt on behalf of a client.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45We're on our way to Shrewsbury today.
0:38:45 > 0:38:51We're after Mr and Mrs Green, trading as Green's Land Rover.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56We're there today for £3,289.11.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01The case involves two car-dealing couples.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04The claimants took one of their customers' cars
0:39:04 > 0:39:08for repair to Green's Land Rovers, run by Richard and Julie Green.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12Unfortunately, Green's Land Rovers couldn't fix it
0:39:12 > 0:39:15and had to send the car to the main dealer.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18The cost should have been paid by Green's Land Rovers,
0:39:18 > 0:39:21but they didn't have the money - so the claimants lent it to them
0:39:21 > 0:39:24in order to release the car.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26But the loan was never repaid.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29Eventually the couple took the Greens to court,
0:39:29 > 0:39:32and, when they still weren't paid, to the sheriffs.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41Hello, sir. Mr and Mrs Green about?
0:39:41 > 0:39:48We've got a High Court writ to execute today for £3,289.11.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53At this point our camera is asked to leave the building.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55Craig remains, and explains
0:39:55 > 0:39:58to business owner Richard Green what's going to happen.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02The order commands us today to seize goods in lieu of payment
0:40:02 > 0:40:03if you can't pay it.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07Mr Green says he needs to take legal advice.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10Craig explains that whatever advice he takes,
0:40:10 > 0:40:14they will be taking goods today unless Mr Green pays in full.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16But, as Craig points out,
0:40:16 > 0:40:20having the goods seized wouldn't be a good option for Mr Green.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22It does get quite expensive if it does get down to that.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25Obviously removal fees, contractor fees, advertising costs,
0:40:25 > 0:40:27storage fees and all the like.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30Mr Green tells Craig he can't afford to pay today.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33There's quite a lot of goods in there to list down.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35Tools, individual tools and so forth.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38I'm going to start seizing them, let him seek his legal advice
0:40:38 > 0:40:39and take it from there.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43Craig phones the office to arrange
0:40:43 > 0:40:45a truck for goods they are seizing.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47Lawrence, I've got one for you.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50He hasn't got the money available, can't afford to pay,
0:40:50 > 0:40:52so we're going to need a 7.5 tonner.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58As Tom and Craig arrange big trucks, Mr Green reconsiders.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02How quick can you get the money, sir?
0:41:02 > 0:41:06Lawrence, I'll ring you back in about 5-10 minutes.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09Mr Green rings round to try to raise some money today.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13He also says he wasn't given time to settle the original debt, but
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Craig isn't buying it.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18Well, if you had it in May and it still hasn't been paid and we're
0:41:18 > 0:41:21in October now, that's five months down the line. You know, by your
0:41:21 > 0:41:25own admission, you're aware about it to a certain degree.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28Unconvinced Mr Green is going to be able to pay,
0:41:28 > 0:41:31Craig sets the truck up once more.
0:41:31 > 0:41:32I don't think it's going to go anywhere
0:41:32 > 0:41:35so we're going to need the transport.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37Mr Green's solicitor is on the phone,
0:41:37 > 0:41:41and he's advised his client to apply to have the judgment set aside.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43But Craig's heard the line before.
0:41:43 > 0:41:44Yeah, yeah. N9244.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48It won't prevent the action from taking place today.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53Craig takes the phone to talk directly to the solicitor.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56It's a County Court Judgment that's been escalated to the High Court
0:41:56 > 0:41:58so it's now a writ of FiFa.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00As I've explained to Mr Green, we're not
0:42:00 > 0:42:03in a position to offer a walking possession arrangement today.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05Craig explains the sheriffs consider
0:42:05 > 0:42:08the items in the garage as being "in jeopardy".
0:42:08 > 0:42:10If they only seized them on paper,
0:42:10 > 0:42:12there's a danger they might disappear
0:42:12 > 0:42:15before the payment is made.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17Craig and Tom have refused to compromise,
0:42:17 > 0:42:19and the pressure finally pays off.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22Has it gone into your account, Mr Green?
0:42:22 > 0:42:25Have you got a debit card with that account?
0:42:25 > 0:42:28That's what we want to see - that coming out the van.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32With money in his account, Mr Green sets up a bank transfer.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36Craig phones base to see if the money has hit the account.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39Hi, Jack. Can you look at the bank account for us?
0:42:39 > 0:42:43We're looking for £3,289.11.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47Thanks very much. Cheers. Bye-bye.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51We've just left the address now and gone on
0:42:51 > 0:42:55a walking possession, which allows us to leave the goods in situ.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Just waiting on that balance to clear.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00We've seen a pre-payment gone out of his account for it but it
0:43:00 > 0:43:04hasn't actually hit our account. But it will do today.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06It's a good result for the claimants,
0:43:06 > 0:43:09who couldn't get the money that was rightfully theirs
0:43:09 > 0:43:11until they got help from the sheriffs.