0:00:02 > 0:00:05- Meet the sheriffs.- Let's go introduce ourselves.- Got a High Court writ to attend today.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07If it's not paid, we'll remove the stock.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11- Their job is to get you your money back.- It's about to get physical.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13It's an arrestable offence to stop me doing my job.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16If you've been ripped off and don't know where to turn...
0:00:16 > 0:00:18- We need to deal with it now. - We'll remove vehicles to that value.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21If you're acting on his authority, pay it.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24..if you've been to court and still not been paid what you're owed...
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Are you going to open this building, or am I going to force entry into it?
0:00:27 > 0:00:31- You need to pay this. - ..it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34- Don't put your hands on me!- I'm going to call the locksmith, effect entry
0:00:34 > 0:00:37- into the premises and remove all the items.- Whoa, whoa!
0:00:37 > 0:00:40They're enforcement agents of the High Court.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43And the law says they're on your side.
0:00:43 > 0:00:44Just collected 42 grand.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Coming up.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53When this couple bought themselves a car, things didn't go to plan.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57When we were driving faster, it just didn't seem to accelerate.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00At that point I was pretty cross.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Craig and Tommy go in search of what they're owed.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05- Is that not you, Waterside Car Sales? - Of course I am.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07So you are Waterside Car Sales?
0:01:07 > 0:01:10What I am saying is we took this name over.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12You're digging yourself a bit of a hole now.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14No, no, no, I'm not digging myself any hole.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16Lawrence and Kev are in a chocolate shop
0:01:16 > 0:01:19and they won't leave empty-handed.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22You can have 15 minutes but then we are going to clear the place out.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26And the sheriffs take on Barclaycard for a large sum.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29It is £35,000 plus.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32The law's the law. And it applies to everybody.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Today, sheriffs Tommy Coyle and Craig Wild
0:01:49 > 0:01:52have a familiar problem to deal with.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Right, we're off to Birmingham today.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Off to see a garage.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00Waterside Car Sales.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03The claimant in this particular case is a Katie Miller.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08She is owed a total of £2,916.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13The sheriffs are looking to get Katie her money back
0:02:13 > 0:02:14after a car sale went wrong.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21Katie and Andrew Miller travelled 50 miles from their home
0:02:21 > 0:02:26to Birmingham, to buy a car that Andrew needed to get to work.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28So I work as an outdoor instructor.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32I love doing it, I get to work with young people every day,
0:02:32 > 0:02:35I get to take them on school trips, kayaking and climbing
0:02:35 > 0:02:37and caving and things like that.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39A car is essential because I've got to get there,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43but it also involves taking things like kayaks around on the roof,
0:02:43 > 0:02:45and going all around the country.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51Andrew needed to find a car, but there wasn't much money.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53The couple had recently married and were hoping to have something
0:02:53 > 0:02:57left in the bank after buying their wheels.
0:02:57 > 0:02:58Our budget was £2,000.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00We picked a few cars, we had to look quite far afield
0:03:00 > 0:03:02because the criteria was quite tight.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04And we found a few in Birmingham,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07and Waterside was one of the places we went to.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11They came across a VW Golf they both liked.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15Mohammed Haque at Waterside Car Sales let them have the Golf
0:03:15 > 0:03:19for a price that was within their budget.
0:03:19 > 0:03:20He let us take it for a test drive.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24It was derby match day in Birmingham, so it was quite busy.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27So he...we went for a really short test drive.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30It wasn't quite running right, it was a bit jittery.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Obviously raised the concern, and he said, "No, no problem, we'll sort it out.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35"I'll get my garage to look at it."
0:03:35 > 0:03:38We waited for half an hour, they brought the car back.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40Switched it on, drove it a little bit, and absolutely fine,
0:03:40 > 0:03:42no problems at all.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45We believed it was all sorted and it was just a simple problem.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49The couple drove away from Waterside Car Sales happy.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53They didn't realise they weren't going to stay that way for long.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56The overall driving experience was quite good,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58up until we turned the engine off...
0:03:58 > 0:04:00and started it back up the next time.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02ENGINE STRUGGLES
0:04:02 > 0:04:05From there on, it went downhill.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08It was very juddery at a slow speed.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11And then, when we were driving faster,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13it just didn't seem to accelerate.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18At that point I was pretty cross.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22I wanted to go about getting the car back.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Naturally, they contacted Mohammed Haque at the garage
0:04:26 > 0:04:29and asked to bring the car back for a refund.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34But the garage only wanted to try and fix it again.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38He's already tried to fix it once and didn't.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41That's the stage when he started saying, "You have no right to bring
0:04:41 > 0:04:45"this car back, what do you expect when you buy a second-hand car?"
0:04:45 > 0:04:48We knew that actually if you buy something faulty from someone,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51you have rights to take it back.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54The couple wisely got in touch with Trading Standards,
0:04:54 > 0:04:58to find out what they could do about their badly running car.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00We had to have shown willingness for him to fix the car,
0:05:00 > 0:05:04so under the guidance of Trading Standards, we asked him
0:05:04 > 0:05:07to collect the car, which he was very reluctant to do initially.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10He tried to tell me that it as my responsibility
0:05:10 > 0:05:12to pay for transport of the car.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17I said that actually, legally, I shouldn't have to incur any costs
0:05:17 > 0:05:19from this faulty car that he'd sold us.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24We ended up finally getting him to agree to collect the car,
0:05:24 > 0:05:29- and he had the car for, I think, a couple of months.- Mmm.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31When the car was finally ready,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34the couple travelled over to Birmingham and collected it.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38After two months waiting, they hoped their troubles were over.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42Got there, started it up, drove it home again.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45And exactly the same problem happened.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48After three breakdowns, the couple got on the phone
0:05:48 > 0:05:50and demanded their money back.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53Waterside Car Sales weren't forthcoming.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56He answered the phone and just made excuses.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Didn't want to talk to me...
0:05:59 > 0:06:04and just made excuses for leaving the phone conversation, and left.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08A local garage told them it would cost hundreds of pounds to
0:06:08 > 0:06:11investigate the problem, let alone fix it.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15The couple decided to go to court to get their money back.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18No-one from Waterside Car Sales attended the hearing,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21so Katie and Andrew won a default judgment.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24But, two months on, the couple haven't been paid.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28The sheriffs are the last hope and the last option we have.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37Over in Birmingham, sheriffs Craig and Tommy
0:06:37 > 0:06:41are planning to get them the money a court says they are owed.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45They've found what appears to be Waterside Car Sales.
0:06:47 > 0:06:48Hello, mate.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50You the boss?
0:06:50 > 0:06:52The man on-site isn't the owner,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55but he does get him on the phone for Craig.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59What it's to do with, got a court order today
0:06:59 > 0:07:04for £2910.71.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08He doesn't seem to know about Katie's case.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11She's taken the company to court for the money.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13And the court... And the company...
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Waterside Car Sales.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20The man says his name is Mohammed Haque.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22But that he runs a different company,
0:07:22 > 0:07:26and Waterside Car Sales have moved out.
0:07:26 > 0:07:27And when did they go?
0:07:29 > 0:07:32Craig thinks he sees evidence to the contrary.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36Well, obviously, it is all still signed up here Waterside Car Sales.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40Mr Haque says he will come down to the garage.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42He said we've got to wait inside.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47The sheriffs look inside for evidence of Waterside Car Sales,
0:07:47 > 0:07:50and it doesn't take Craig long to find something.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54If you carefully look at the very top,
0:07:54 > 0:07:57it's got Waterside Car Sales on the top there.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00That's what we are looking at. Any more? Any more?
0:08:00 > 0:08:02There's a small office in the garage,
0:08:02 > 0:08:06and Craig has a look around and finds further clues.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10The trade plates in there are Waterside Car Sales.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Even though it is all Waterside on the front,
0:08:13 > 0:08:15this Mr Haque reckons he is a director of a limited company
0:08:15 > 0:08:20that has taken over this building about two months ago, he said.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22I don't believe him, to be fair,
0:08:22 > 0:08:24I think he's got something to do with their company.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Moments later, Mr Haque arrives.
0:08:29 > 0:08:30Hello, sir.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35Perhaps he can explain which company this is.
0:08:37 > 0:08:43What we're saying is, the judgment is for £2910.71, so...
0:08:43 > 0:08:45how do you want to pay it?
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Mr Haque believes he has proof
0:08:47 > 0:08:50that a different company now operates here.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52- This is us.- This is you here?- Yes.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56- Do you know anything about Waterside at all?- Waterside used to be here.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00We are still using their sign, but we are them.
0:09:00 > 0:09:01Right, OK.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06But Mr Haque isn't convincing Craig and Tommy.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Why are you still using their signage and their cards?
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Because we can't afford to put any new signs in at the moment.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- You're saying you have nothing to do with Waterside whatsoever?- No.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- This is us.- I appreciate that, yeah.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21When you arrived here, as M & J Midlands Ltd,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24the place was empty, Waterside had gone and everything else?
0:09:24 > 0:09:28- Everyone was gone.- Why are you still using their trade plates?- Sorry?
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- Why are you still using their trade plates?- We took it over.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Till this expire, we...
0:09:33 > 0:09:38Why didn't Waterside, when they left, take these with them?
0:09:38 > 0:09:39They left it there. What am I supposed to do?
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Well, you shouldn't be using them, should you?
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- I shouldn't be using them, no.- No.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49When I said to you, when you moved into here and it was all empty,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52that wasn't true, then, because they've obviously left these, haven't they?
0:09:52 > 0:09:56The sheriffs decide to confront Mr Haque with more of their findings.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00They hope he'll realise he must pay the bill.
0:10:00 > 0:10:01Did they leave any cars?
0:10:01 > 0:10:05No. They wouldn't leave any cars, would they?
0:10:05 > 0:10:07- When we moved in here, there was no cars.- Right.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10So far, it's not looking good for the sheriffs.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Although Craig has found evidence
0:10:12 > 0:10:16he thinks disproves Mr Haque's story about a new company,
0:10:16 > 0:10:20he's no closer to convincing him to pay up.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24Later on, the sheriffs make a discovery that changes everything.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27There you go. Waterside Cars Ltd.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41Kev McNally and Lawrence Grix are out on patrol today,
0:10:41 > 0:10:43looking to recover a debt.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Enforcement agent Kev has got his thinking cap on.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49We are in Cambridge at the moment.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51We are going to Chocolat Chocolat.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54I presume it's a chocolate shop.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59They owe £1,793.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03Kev suspects Lawrence would take payment in kind.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Maybe Lawrence likes a bit of chocolate,
0:11:05 > 0:11:07he's nodding his head there.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Chocolate and gin and tonic, I think.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14But the sheriffs won't be getting any chocolate
0:11:14 > 0:11:17- until they find out where they're going.- I've got no idea.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20I've gone the wrong way.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23But every way they go is wrong.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28It says, "Authorised vehicles, bollards, CCTV in use."
0:11:28 > 0:11:29Well...
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Nearly a mile from it, so I'm not walking for a mile.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37The sheriffs have got a major battle on their hands this morning -
0:11:37 > 0:11:41getting through Cambridge's traffic control system.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44I'm going back round this way again, because I think it's somewhere...
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Oh, no, buses only.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50Where the hell are we?
0:11:50 > 0:11:52This place is a serious joke.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56Anyone watching, don't come to Cambridge, you won't get anywhere.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58A driver like me, I'd... Ah!!
0:11:58 > 0:12:03- No, that is a pedestrian zone. So we will go back around here, then.- Yeah.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- Look, no entry.- This place is a joke!
0:12:08 > 0:12:10Still half a mile away.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12Finally, a breakthrough.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16Right, I am a legend. Keep going.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19No, seriously, we'll be there in a minute.
0:12:21 > 0:12:22Unless that's the river.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26HE LAUGHS
0:12:27 > 0:12:30We're definitely going to get there now because it is one way
0:12:30 > 0:12:32all the way to it. Literally the best co-pilot ever.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Don't worry about me.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36They've found the chocolate shop.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38But not the parking space they'll need for the van.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42They'll have to park somewhere if they want to collect this debt.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49It's literally about an hour walk from here.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53But it seems the distance is no object
0:12:53 > 0:12:55to a sheriff with a chocolate shop to find.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Lawrence just wants to get stuck into the chocolate.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02Look at him, he is rampaging his way towards there.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Just want to get there. I only put an hour on the parking meter,
0:13:05 > 0:13:08it's half hour walk from the van, isn't it?
0:13:08 > 0:13:09Got a vision of...turn up at the shop
0:13:09 > 0:13:11and he's already eaten half the stock.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15He's got chocolate covering his face and wrappers everywhere.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Eventually, the sheriffs arrive at the chocolate shop.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22But master of directions Kev has missed the sweet spot.
0:13:22 > 0:13:27- Where's he going?- No-one told me it was here. That's a surprise.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- Hello, there. Are either of you the owner at all?- I'm the manager.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34My name's Mr Grix, my colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37We've got a High Court writ to execute for Chocolat Chocolat.
0:13:37 > 0:13:42We are here today to take control of goods to the value of £1790.50,
0:13:42 > 0:13:46which will basically mean everything in here.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48The young store manager is worried.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51She clearly knew nothing about this.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Are you able to get the owner on the phone?
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Is she?
0:13:57 > 0:13:58Can you get them on the phone?
0:14:00 > 0:14:02I think that is probably best.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06The manager doesn't want her chocolate shop emptied of stock,
0:14:06 > 0:14:08and she's been dropped in at the deep end.
0:14:11 > 0:14:12No worries.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19The seriousness of the situation is starting to dawn on the staff,
0:14:19 > 0:14:20and they shut the shop.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27Eventually they do make contact with the absent shop owner's daughter,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29and put Lawrence on.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31She asks for more time to pay.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34You can have 15 minutes but then we are going to roll the truck
0:14:34 > 0:14:36to come and clear the place out.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Because we've been here half an hour already.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44OK. All right, bye-bye.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48With nearly £2,000 to pay, the sheriffs would have to take
0:14:48 > 0:14:52a lot of chocolate, so Kev is looking for other options.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54There's a few bits of furniture round here for a start.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58There's lots of ceramic gift stuff. Downstairs, it's the same.
0:14:59 > 0:15:04Lots of chocolate, computers down there, printers.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07A few appliances around, a couple of fridges.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11And sort of chocolate mixing...
0:15:11 > 0:15:13equipment.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15But the sheriffs would prefer money.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19The elder daughter who I've just spoken to says
0:15:19 > 0:15:22she's the owner of the business, but she's got no access to any funds.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Which I find a bit hard to swallow,
0:15:25 > 0:15:26unlike chocolate.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31So we are just waiting now, I've given her 15 minutes to try
0:15:31 > 0:15:33and get in touch with her parents.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37If she's the owner, she should be able to deal with it, is my opinion.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42It clearly wasn't the ideal day to look for payment.
0:15:42 > 0:15:47Despite the ongoing negotiations, Kev thinks Lawrence is holding back.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Don't really like chocolate. It is way too sweet in here for me.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55A bit concerned.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57He's got the devil in him over there.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Struggling to contain himself.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02KEV LAUGHS
0:16:03 > 0:16:05But before Lawrence can indulge himself,
0:16:05 > 0:16:09the owner phones through with good news.
0:16:09 > 0:16:10It's been paid by card?
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Right, I'll get onto my office now and check,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17because if it's done by card, it is instantaneous.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21I'll issue a receipt and leave it with one of the ladies here.
0:16:21 > 0:16:22All right, thanks. Bye.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27But, just to make sure no-one fudged the payment,
0:16:27 > 0:16:32Lawrence is checking that the money has been received at the office.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36All right, lovely. Yeah, cheers.
0:16:36 > 0:16:37Bye.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Yeah, it's there.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Can't ask more than that, paid. On our way.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48It's been a difficult morning for the young manager,
0:16:48 > 0:16:50but she wouldn't have a shop to manage
0:16:50 > 0:16:53if the sheriffs had to take control of the chocolate.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55- Thanks a lot. See you later, guys. - Cheers.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Successful job in the end.
0:16:58 > 0:16:59Went in there, no dramas.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03Once she established what it was, paid on her bank transfer,
0:17:03 > 0:17:06so, yeah, full payment. It wasn't a huge sum of money.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10I think it is a busy shop. You could tell by the amount of people when we got in there,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13and then the amount of people while they were shut, while we were there.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Just wanted to get the shop open and running again. But they paid
0:17:16 > 0:17:19the full amount, £1,800 just about.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23On we go, they're open for trading again. All things good.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26All they have to do now is find their way out of the Cambridge
0:17:26 > 0:17:27traffic system.
0:17:29 > 0:17:30The shop told us...
0:17:49 > 0:17:53Back in Birmingham, Craig and Tommy are at Waterside Car Sales,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56on behalf of Katie and Andrew Miller. They've found a man
0:17:56 > 0:17:59who says he has nothing to do with the debtor company.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- When we moved in here, there's no cars.- Right.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04But they don't believe him.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Just to put the final nail in the coffin,
0:18:08 > 0:18:12there's at least three cars, right,
0:18:12 > 0:18:17which still have the sale particulars in the windscreen for Waterside.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- Waterside?- So, in your infinite wisdom, what you did...
0:18:20 > 0:18:22you found some trade plate
0:18:22 > 0:18:26and you found some paperwork which was Waterside
0:18:26 > 0:18:29and you put that paperwork in your cars to sell it under the terms
0:18:29 > 0:18:32of Waterside, is that what you're saying? You're digging a hole.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35No, no. I'm not digging myself any hole.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- Do you want me to show you? Come on! - I'm not...- Show you.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- Your telephone number...- Of course, it's mine.- It's on Waterside.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44- This is what I'm using for the moment.- Why are you using this?
0:18:44 > 0:18:46You said Waterside left two months ago.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Why would this document be in a car for sale
0:18:49 > 0:18:54under the banner of Waterside, now, if they'd moved out two months ago?
0:18:54 > 0:18:55But I'm using...
0:18:55 > 0:18:58And why would we have the actual trade plates
0:18:58 > 0:19:00in Waterside name as well?
0:19:00 > 0:19:02I just...
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Can you show me the purchase document for this vehicle then?
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- This vehicle?- Yes.- I'll show you. - Thank you.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11The Sheriffs have the power to search a debtor's premises
0:19:11 > 0:19:14for information concerning their writ.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16- Excuse me!- This is called diligent search.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Can you not go through personal stuff?
0:19:18 > 0:19:21I'm going to have to go through it, sir, because I believe the company
0:19:21 > 0:19:23is still trading from here.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27Delving through the files doesn't show Waterside Car Sales have gone.
0:19:30 > 0:19:35There you go! Waterside Cars. That's corporation tax.
0:19:35 > 0:19:36That's not you?
0:19:36 > 0:19:39They left that paperwork as well, did they? Is that not you?
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- Waterside Car Sales?- Of course I am! - So you are Waterside Car Sales?
0:19:42 > 0:19:47What I'm saying is, we took this name over. It was there.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51We're finding vehicles which are for sale with Waterside in the windscreen
0:19:51 > 0:19:55which has the same telephone number as yours, printed, not handwritten.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59The evidence suggests this is still Waterside Car Sales.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02You shouldn't be using their signage.
0:20:02 > 0:20:03It doesn't make sense to do that.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07I'm suggesting Waterside Car Sales is still operating from these premises.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10You're selling vehicles on behalf of Waterside.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- I'm not selling cars...- They are. They're there!
0:20:13 > 0:20:15All the Sheriffs think they need now
0:20:15 > 0:20:20is one killer piece of paperwork that links this man to this company.
0:20:20 > 0:20:21Mohammed Haque?
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Yes.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26"Mohammed Haque, Waterside Car Sales."
0:20:26 > 0:20:27Here we go!
0:20:27 > 0:20:31It clearly says, "Mohammed Haque, Waterside Cars."
0:20:31 > 0:20:33But you have nothing to do with it?
0:20:33 > 0:20:36I just told you, sir. This is what I'm using, Waterside Cars' name.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39You shouldn't be using another company's name, sir.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- Of course I can.- Is that fraud then? - How could it be fraud?
0:20:42 > 0:20:44There's no point us going round in circles.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47I want to list down all the vehicles outside.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49You can talk to me about payment, OK?
0:20:49 > 0:20:53I'm going to start taking control of all your vehicles outside.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56The Sheriffs hope the man might come to his senses
0:20:56 > 0:21:00once he realises the Sheriffs are going to take control of his stock.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04And Craig makes sure he realises what Tommy is doing.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07If you can't pay this bill, then we're going to take further steps
0:21:07 > 0:21:09- to take them away today. - But, he...
0:21:11 > 0:21:13It's your choice, Mr Haque.
0:21:13 > 0:21:14It's your choice.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18There's enough evidence showing, basically, our company is here.
0:21:18 > 0:21:19So, we can, yeah.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Finally, Mr Haque of Waterside Car Sales
0:21:22 > 0:21:25is beginning to talk about paying some money.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29I don't have this kind of money to pay straight away.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31I can't help you out then, Mr Haque.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34How you run your business is up to you.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36But you have to give me some time.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- No, we don't.- But how you expect me to pay that kind of money?
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Because the courts say you have to.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44If you want to pay it, you can do.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Or we can execute it now at further cost to yourself.
0:21:47 > 0:21:48If they execute the writ,
0:21:48 > 0:21:52that will mean taking control of vehicles on the forecourt.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56Craig gives Mr Haque a moment to think about paying up...
0:21:56 > 0:21:58You've got a breakdown here, sir.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02Let me... Have you got a card reader?
0:22:02 > 0:22:07..and he's told Tommy he'll pay up in full - via credit card.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Katie and Andrew will get their money back
0:22:09 > 0:22:12from Waterside Car Sales after all.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14That's the £1,000 off the account.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17But even that won't be straightforward.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20It will be paid off by several different credit cards.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- OK. How much do you want on that one, sir?- £1,700.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27So, £210 and...71 pence now.
0:22:30 > 0:22:31Piece of friendly advice,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33I would disassociate yourself
0:22:33 > 0:22:37from anything to do with Waterside Car Sales in future.
0:22:38 > 0:22:39OK?
0:22:39 > 0:22:42- I'll leave that with you. - Bye-bye now.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45It took some detective work, but the Sheriffs are happy.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Lured him into the trap of saying what he needs to say
0:22:49 > 0:22:51to hang himself really.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56£2,940 he's paid over three card payments.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59Tommy just handed me the piece de resistance.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02That's his card!
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Apparently he's got nothing to do with that company,
0:23:04 > 0:23:06but they're all over his desk.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10It's another challenging job over for Craig and Tommy.
0:23:10 > 0:23:11But more importantly,
0:23:11 > 0:23:16it means Katie and Andrew getting back the money they are owed.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18The whole...him denying who he was
0:23:18 > 0:23:22and trying to get out of paying doesn't surprise us at all, does it?
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Thank you so much to the sheriffs, Craig and Tommy.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27They've been fantastic.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31It's an end to this whole saga. We'll be able to put it behind us.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35Mr Haque told us that the company's registered address is elsewhere,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38not the garage where the Sheriffs enforced.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41He said everyone had the legal right to a warranty,
0:23:41 > 0:23:43but that the clients had not written to him
0:23:43 > 0:23:46and that he had offered them a refund or repair.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04There have been Sheriffs since Saxon times
0:24:04 > 0:24:07and they only enforce High Court writs.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09I've got a High Court writ I'm executing here.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12It doesn't matter what the dispute is, you have to pay.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16If you've been awarded money by a court but haven't been paid,
0:24:16 > 0:24:19the Sheriffs can get you what you are owed.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22He hasn't been paid so he's transferred it up to the High Court
0:24:22 > 0:24:23for enforcement purposes.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27If the debtor won't pay, Sheriffs have the power to remove goods
0:24:27 > 0:24:30and have them sold at auction to repay the debt.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33I'll take the keys and look after them until we get payment.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36We've got an awful lot of stuff to take out to clear the debt.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38A High Court writ costs £60.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40If the Sheriffs are successful,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43there's nothing more for the clients to pay.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45So, £6,900 there.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Paid it straightaway so it's all good.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51If they are unsuccessful, the only cost is a compliance fee
0:24:51 > 0:24:55of £75 plus VAT for each enforcement.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10Some jobs require the Sheriffs to take on some of the country's
0:25:10 > 0:25:15biggest brands and household names who've been ordered to pay up.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18And today, Tommy and Craig find themselves a few miles away
0:25:18 > 0:25:21from a giant of the financial world.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25We're on way to go and do a job
0:25:25 > 0:25:26on behalf of Mr Noel Daniels.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Noel has gone to court and sued Barclaycard, of all people.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Paperwork has been sent to their office in London
0:25:34 > 0:25:37which they've failed to respond by.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40We've also visited their mail centre in Leicester.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43They failed to respond to any of the paperwork
0:25:43 > 0:25:47so we're off to Northampton today, which is their main head office,
0:25:47 > 0:25:50with a view to collecting the outstanding balance,
0:25:50 > 0:25:52which is £35,000 plus.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55So, a large debt...
0:25:56 > 0:25:58..large organisation.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02And, hopefully, we'll do our best and get the money for him.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04The claim was for damages
0:26:04 > 0:26:07after Barclaycard made a Payment Protection Insurance, or PPI,
0:26:07 > 0:26:10repayment to a customer of around £1,500.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16It's not every day that the Sheriffs go up against a billion-pound company,
0:26:16 > 0:26:19so they are expecting to encounter resistance.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22We'll be dealing with, initially, security on the gate,
0:26:22 > 0:26:24then the claims department,
0:26:24 > 0:26:27then we'll deal with the finance department.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29So, a multitude of layers to go through.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32They're like any other defendant, that's what you have to remember.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35We have the same powers. The law's the law -
0:26:35 > 0:26:37and it applies to everybody.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44So, is this all Barclaycard?
0:26:44 > 0:26:46Everything. It's all Barclaycard.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49The site is so big, there's a queue to get in.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54Mate, this is a big corporate job, this is.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57The Sheriffs' first hurdle is going to be a security guard
0:26:57 > 0:26:59checking who comes onto the site.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02First obstacle is getting through security.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Obviously, they're going to stop us. They'll want to know...
0:27:05 > 0:27:07I have to explain who I am and why I'm here.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Normally, a big corporate company like this,
0:27:10 > 0:27:13I give them a bit of respect, as in I'll wait a small amount of time.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15It's a large sum of money.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17They should be getting someone down here rapid.
0:27:17 > 0:27:18We've got the law on our side.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Here we go! Here we go! Here we go!
0:27:21 > 0:27:25The Sheriffs get ready to talk to security.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29He'll want to chat with us, won't he? Shall we? Or just crack on?
0:27:29 > 0:27:30Just crack on.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35The Sheriffs decide to simply drive in.
0:27:35 > 0:27:36Go, go, go!
0:27:36 > 0:27:39They do have a High Court writ, after all.
0:27:39 > 0:27:40Da, da, da!
0:27:42 > 0:27:44There you go, son!
0:27:44 > 0:27:48Simple, but the low ceiling car park could be a problem.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51- You worried, Tommy?- I am about the roof, mate. Look at it!
0:27:53 > 0:27:56You've got plenty of room. 2.2 metres.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Well, first hurdle done! We're on site.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04But they so nearly weren't.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06The guy's gone now. He's gone.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08The barrier is down now, look.
0:28:08 > 0:28:09Let's just keep going.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16But they're on a massive site - they need to find an entrance.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20We're here now so it's just reception.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22This isn't the main reception, I don't think. Is it?
0:28:23 > 0:28:25- It is.- It is! - Well, it's got A reception.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28The Sheriffs can force entry to commercial premises...
0:28:28 > 0:28:32- You can't get in!- Staff entrance. Where's the main entrance?
0:28:32 > 0:28:34It's that side. We need to go all the way around.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37But there's probably an open door elsewhere!
0:28:37 > 0:28:41With over 3,000 people employed at this site, it's no wonder
0:28:41 > 0:28:45the building is so big that they can't find the entrance.
0:28:46 > 0:28:47It's huge!
0:28:48 > 0:28:49Freezing, I am!
0:28:52 > 0:28:55But, finally, the Sheriffs are in reception
0:28:55 > 0:28:58and now have the task of finding the right person to speak to.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01What they don't want is to get fobbed off.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04Can I speak to someone from the finance department?
0:29:04 > 0:29:05I'm an enforcement agent.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09- RECEPTIONIST: Sure. Bear with me a second.- Thank you very much.
0:29:13 > 0:29:14It's an enforcement agent...
0:29:14 > 0:29:16Yes, please. Thank you. Bye.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19Checking, because I wouldn't know where to direct you.
0:29:19 > 0:29:20That's fine.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23- We'll get our security manager. - Thank you very much.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30Tommy and Craig were hoping to go direct to the finance team.
0:29:30 > 0:29:34But now the security manager has come to see them.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36We haven't been told about your filming.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39He wants our camera to leave the building.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41If you could. Thank you.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48But Craig and Tommy are staying inside to negotiate.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54And soon enough, Craig has some news.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58We managed to get through the first two or three tiers,
0:29:58 > 0:30:01we're now talking to their legal counsel.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07They've asked for further legal paperwork from our head office.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09But at the moment, it's looking positive.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12It's just a waiting game. We've been an hour on site,
0:30:12 > 0:30:16which is justifiable for them to have sufficient time
0:30:16 > 0:30:20to dig into this situation if they wanted to sort it out.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29Craig heads back inside to rejoin the negotiation.
0:30:29 > 0:30:30Two heads are better than one
0:30:30 > 0:30:34when you are trying to negotiate a 35,000 plus payment
0:30:34 > 0:30:38from the legal team of a giant of the financial industry.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45Outside the building, all seems calm.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48But inside, the Sheriffs are locking horns with Barclaycard
0:30:48 > 0:30:51to get their client paid.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55Not surprisingly, the legal team at Barclaycard are not happy.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57After two-and-a-half hours inside the building,
0:30:57 > 0:30:59Craig has an update.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05The legal counsel from Barclaycard have come back to us.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07They say they don't acknowledge the claim,
0:31:07 > 0:31:11they don't acknowledge the actual defendant.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14However, given the situation they're faced with,
0:31:14 > 0:31:17they'll make full and final payment today.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20They are going to go back to court.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22That's their right to do so,
0:31:22 > 0:31:25but, obviously, from today, the payment will be made
0:31:25 > 0:31:29in the form of a bank transfer in full and final settlement.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37Craig heads back in to collect the balance as a happy man.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40But hours later, he still isn't finished.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45Once back inside, the battle to get paid was far from over.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47The Sheriffs allowed Barclaycard what they felt
0:31:47 > 0:31:52was a reasonable time to pay, but no transfer was made.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56In accordance with their writ, they informed the Barclaycard team
0:31:56 > 0:32:00that they intended to take control of company items to clear the debt.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04At which point, the team offered to pay the debt on their credit cards.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09It's been a remarkable end to the enforcement.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12Bit of a battle that one.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15It was a five-hour period to get it paid.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17Me and Craig got to a point where we weren't happy
0:32:17 > 0:32:21with the evidence they were producing reference this transfer.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24Our pressure point was that we would wander around,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27take control of goods which we're there to do and legally can.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30That prompted the credit card payments.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33They got all the hierarchy from the building lined up outside
0:32:33 > 0:32:35the office and, one by one,
0:32:35 > 0:32:39they came in paying 9,000, 7,000, 6,000,
0:32:39 > 0:32:404,000...
0:32:40 > 0:32:44Eventually, over a number of cards, they managed to pay it off.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46Obviously, we're there to get full payment.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49As long as it takes, we'll stay whether it's all day.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52We'll still be there. We got the result we wanted in the end.
0:32:54 > 0:32:59Following the Sheriffs' enforcement Barclaycard told us:
0:32:59 > 0:33:01Due to an internal administration error,
0:33:01 > 0:33:04the relevant court papers did not reach their Legal team
0:33:04 > 0:33:07and they had no opportunity to respond in court.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11They say they have already issued a cheque to Mr Daniels
0:33:11 > 0:33:13for the full PPI redress amount
0:33:13 > 0:33:17and don't feel that the unspecified damages of £30,000 are justified,
0:33:17 > 0:33:20so have applied to the court to contest them.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24They say they are determined to resolve the case as soon as possible.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37In the Midlands today, Craig and Tommy have got a job to do,
0:33:37 > 0:33:40and they are confident they're going to get a result.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45We're off to Halesowen this afternoon.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48Off to see a company called John Harris & Co.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52The claimant in this case is Anthony Smith.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54The debt value is around £1,800.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57Could be a landlord or could be a tenant.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59We're not interested, to be fair.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02We're only there under the terms of the court order to get it paid.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06But one person who cares very much about how the Sheriffs get on today
0:34:06 > 0:34:09is former landlord Anthony Smith.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15Anthony is an engineer from Halesowen in the West Midlands.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18Several years ago, his parents passed away, but left him
0:34:18 > 0:34:22and his brother a wonderful gift - the family home.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24It meant a lot to Anthony.
0:34:25 > 0:34:30The house was in the family for 30 years.
0:34:30 > 0:34:35There were too many memories in the house just to sell it.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38And, you know, we decided to rent it out for the time being
0:34:38 > 0:34:40until we were committed to selling it.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45Luckily, Anthony knew a lettings agent that he trusted.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48An old associate from a pub he used to drink at
0:34:48 > 0:34:50was now running an agency in the area
0:34:50 > 0:34:55and Anthony immediately thought of giving him the property to rent out.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58Mr Harris was contracted to rent out the house
0:34:58 > 0:35:02and for 10% of the monthly rent, er, was his fee.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09Included in that fee, he would find us a new tenant,
0:35:09 > 0:35:12take an inventory... Also carry out inspections
0:35:12 > 0:35:15of the property to see that it was being looked after properly.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19Anthony's work required him to be based in China.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23As a successful engineer, he was extremely busy and wasn't able
0:35:23 > 0:35:27to keep an eye on how the tenancy of his parents' house was going.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30For three years, he thought all was well.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33Until he was contacted by his partner in the UK.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37I got a Skype call from Sheila and my brother.
0:35:37 > 0:35:42They sent out photographs of the state the property had been left in.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45The tenant John Harris had put into the house had moved out
0:35:45 > 0:35:48after three years in the property, but they'd not left the place
0:35:48 > 0:35:51in anything like the state they had found it.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54Well, the dog completely destroyed the leather suite.
0:35:54 > 0:35:59There was an expensive leather suite in there, which was my mother's.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03It was just thrown in the garage. It was just in pieces.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08They'd broken every single window in the house
0:36:08 > 0:36:12and...the window locks off, and superglued the windows shut.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16I mean, the bathroom, the windows, the carpets...
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Everything was just... It had to be thrown.
0:36:19 > 0:36:25We hired two skips just to remove the rubbish they left behind for us.
0:36:27 > 0:36:32I can't believe how a house can be abused so much in three years.
0:36:33 > 0:36:38These people had no respect at all for a nice surrounding.
0:36:38 > 0:36:42You know, you would never treat your own property like that.
0:36:42 > 0:36:43Anthony was upset
0:36:43 > 0:36:46because he felt that letting agent John Harris should have been aware
0:36:46 > 0:36:49that the property was getting into a bad state.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53He was taking 10% of the rent each month, after all.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55But there was worse to come.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57Tony returned to England from China
0:36:57 > 0:37:00and took a close look at his bank balance.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02It seemed there were rental payments missing.
0:37:04 > 0:37:05He'd missed a month
0:37:05 > 0:37:09and then he'd put the next month's at the end of the month.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12Then it looked like that month had gone on.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15And then he'd missed a month again.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18Because I was out in China so much,
0:37:18 > 0:37:21I wasn't keeping an eye on it.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23Eventually, when the tenants had moved out and we checked
0:37:23 > 0:37:27the bank account, there was three and a half payments missing.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30Anthony says he checked and rechecked his bank account,
0:37:30 > 0:37:33but the money simply wasn't there.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35I went down to see Mr Harris,
0:37:35 > 0:37:38arranged a meeting with him and I went through
0:37:38 > 0:37:42the amount of months that the tenants had been in,
0:37:42 > 0:37:43payments into the bank account
0:37:43 > 0:37:46and I said to him, "It's not rocket science.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50"You know, one and one makes two." You know? It's simple as that.
0:37:50 > 0:37:55But he refused to talk any more and we had no alternative
0:37:55 > 0:37:56but to go to court.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00Anthony brought his case about the missing rent to court.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02John Harris defended himself,
0:38:02 > 0:38:05but the judgment was in Anthony's favour.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07The magistrate asked us
0:38:07 > 0:38:10if we wanted to claim for the property and the damages.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13I said no, I just want the rent.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17They moved in the middle of the month, so technically
0:38:17 > 0:38:20they owe a full month, but we'll let them off with half a month.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24At that point, Mr Harris said to the magistrate that I was being greedy.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28Which was quite laughable.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31Anthony feels like he hasn't had the last laugh.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34Letting agent John Harris still hasn't paid up what the court
0:38:34 > 0:38:37said he owed. So Anthony has called in the Sheriffs.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41After 14 months, I was just totally frustrated and, you know,
0:38:41 > 0:38:43what do I do? How do I get my money?
0:38:43 > 0:38:48I liked what I'd seen with The Sheriffs, so I got in touch and
0:38:48 > 0:38:51if these guys can't get my money, then nobody's going to get it.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55Emotionally, Anthony feels he wants to do what his mum and dad
0:38:55 > 0:38:57would have thought was the right thing.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59If she's sitting up there looking down,
0:38:59 > 0:39:01she wouldn't be very happy about it.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Unfortunately, I put the business Mr Harris's way
0:39:04 > 0:39:06and he let me down terribly.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18Two people who are hoping not to let him down
0:39:18 > 0:39:20are Sheriffs Tommy and Craig.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24And in Halesowen, the Sheriffs have found the John Harris office
0:39:24 > 0:39:26and are looking to get Anthony his money back.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32Hello. My name's Mr Wild. We're High Court Enforcement Agents.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Can you get the boss on the phone for me?
0:39:35 > 0:39:38If you can get him on the phone, I can pre-warn him. To be fair.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41Nowadays, Sheriffs send debtors a letter to inform them
0:39:41 > 0:39:43they need to pay what they owe.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47So Craig and Tommy's visit should be no surprise to John Harris.
0:39:47 > 0:39:48Hello, sir.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50I'm a High Court Enforcement Agent
0:39:50 > 0:39:54and I've got a High Court writ of control to execute today.
0:39:54 > 0:39:59And the value of the liability is £1862.01.
0:40:00 > 0:40:01But there's a problem.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04John Harris is saying that he shouldn't have to pay.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06At least not yet.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10I've got the court order here, compelling you to discharge the liability.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12If you want to come down and have a look at it, that's fine.
0:40:12 > 0:40:17But failure to pay this liability means that we have to execute it.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20Taking control of the goods here today.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22That should focus his mind.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26How long will you be, sir? No problem at all. Bye.
0:40:29 > 0:40:34His argument is that the courts... He wasn't notified of the court process.
0:40:34 > 0:40:40Even though there's been three or four opportunities to discharge it.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42From what he was saying, he was going to apply
0:40:42 > 0:40:44to leave of the court to challenge it.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48He was still waiting for the court to come back to him.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54And while Craig lets the owner know exactly how the land lies,
0:40:54 > 0:40:57Tommy is looking out for assets.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00Just to save time. I'm starting to take control of the goods
0:41:00 > 0:41:02and see what he's got to say when he gets here.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06While the business might not have huge assets,
0:41:06 > 0:41:10Tommy knows they will be reliant on what they do have.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14It's not a huge debt.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17They're not going to want to lose their computers and stuff.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22I'm sure we'll be able to discharge it. In full.
0:41:22 > 0:41:27Tommy and Craig are about to find out, as owner John Harris is here.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30Here we go. I think he's here.
0:41:33 > 0:41:34- You all right?- Yeah.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37He wants to check they've done things by the book.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40This thing that was given to me...
0:41:40 > 0:41:43- Who signed for it? - No, it's delivered by post.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47The Sheriffs' records show the paperwork was sent.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50And at this point, John Harris asks our camera to leave.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57Inside, he's on the phone to his solicitor.
0:41:57 > 0:42:01The Sheriffs will now have to talk to them about paying the debt.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05After half an hour, they're out with some news.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10This was quite antsy at first. As all incidents tend to be.
0:42:10 > 0:42:15Erm... Was questioning our enforcement processes.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17I explained to him it had been fully complied with.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21- He then instructed his client to pay it.- It's a payment in full.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24That's good news for homeowner Anthony.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27But business owner Mr Harris is not happy.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30The Sheriffs may have got money from him today,
0:42:30 > 0:42:32but he plans to do something about it.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35I asked for leave to appeal.
0:42:35 > 0:42:40The next thing I know, these gentlemen have come into my offices.
0:42:41 > 0:42:46I phoned up my solicitor and on legal advice I have paid them,
0:42:46 > 0:42:50but we now have 14 days to dispute the facts.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52The payment was not disputed, however.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56And Anthony got his money and, finally, some closure.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00I do have to thank Craig and Tommy. They've done a fabulous job.
0:43:00 > 0:43:06It was a quick result and I'm very happy. And my family are happy.