0:00:02 > 0:00:04- Meet the sheriffs. - Let's introduce ourselves.
0:00:04 > 0:00:05Got an High Court writ to attend here.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07If it's not paid, we'll remove the stock.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Their job is to get you your money back.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13- It's about to get physical. - It's an arrestable offence to stop me doing my job.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- If you've been ripped off and don't know where to turn... - We need to deal with it now.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21- We're going to remove vehicles to that value.- If 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 up, sir, or am I going to force entry?
0:00:27 > 0:00:28You need to pay this.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32- ..it's time to call the sheriffs. - Don't put your hands on me!
0:00:32 > 0:00:36I'm going to call the locksmith, effect entry into the premises and remove all the items.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37Whoa, whoa, 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 > 0:00:49Coming up...
0:00:49 > 0:00:54The sheriffs are called to reclaim a London pub for its owners,
0:00:54 > 0:00:57but one man inside is in no mood to move out.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- Give me my keys!- Get out of my face, cos you're going.- No! No!
0:01:00 > 0:01:03- Get out my face.- NO! - Right, you're going.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Right, he's going down, he's going down.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10This man sold his motorhome through a company he trusted,
0:01:10 > 0:01:14but he didn't get all the money he was owed.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18Obviously, this was putting financial strain on myself and my partner.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20She thought that I was being used,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23so it did drive a little bit of a wedge between us.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Sheriff Tommy is out to get him what he's due.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29But our cameras are not welcome.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31- I'm telling you right now, I'll get the- BLEEP- tape,
0:01:31 > 0:01:33or you sort it out with me personally.
0:01:33 > 0:01:38And a doctor in Kent wasn't paid for months of work she did.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41He hadn't paid me, and then subsequently
0:01:41 > 0:01:44discovering that there was malpractice against him,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47it was difficult to accept.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49So, the sheriffs are out...
0:01:49 > 0:01:51That's a deadlock. You ain't going to get me in there.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54..scaling walls to get her her pay.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56KNOCKING
0:02:09 > 0:02:10It's the early hours of the morning,
0:02:10 > 0:02:12and a large team of sheriffs
0:02:12 > 0:02:16have assembled in Lewisham town centre, in south-east London.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19They've got a High Court writ of possession for a nearby building
0:02:19 > 0:02:21and they intend to enforce it.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24They will be led by Enforcement Agent Lawrence Grix.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26It's a pub.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Four stories, we don't know how many people are in there,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31and we're just going to split up over different floors
0:02:31 > 0:02:33and clear 'em out systematically.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36Sheriff Marc King is well prepared.
0:02:37 > 0:02:42There's lights on on the first floor and the top floor,
0:02:42 > 0:02:44so I'm presuming they're occupied.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49All the lights look to be on downstairs in the bar as well.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Hopefully, this door's going to open nice and easy,
0:02:52 > 0:02:54and then we'll just all creep round there.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Soon as the door's open, two, two and two, yeah?
0:02:57 > 0:03:00A group of squatters have taken up residence
0:03:00 > 0:03:02in former pub The Market Tavern.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04But the sheriffs have a writ of possession
0:03:04 > 0:03:07which gives them authority to reclaim it for its owners.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10And that means they'll have to find a way
0:03:10 > 0:03:12through a locked door to the property.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14I'm going to carry a crowbar.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17We believe we know what door they're using,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19so we're going with plenty of equipment to get in.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22We've got cutters, crowbars...
0:03:35 > 0:03:39They're in, and are met by the sound no-one wants to hear...
0:03:39 > 0:03:40BARKING
0:03:40 > 0:03:42..a barking dog.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44SNARLING
0:03:44 > 0:03:46You got control of it, mate?
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Come out and take control of it, yeah?
0:03:48 > 0:03:51The dog belongs to one of the squatters inside.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Thankfully, someone is holding on to it.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57And the plan now is to wake everyone up.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00The squatters need to know that the sheriffs have arrived with a writ.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Wakey-wakey, rise and shine.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04We've a writ of possession for the property. You've got to go.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08You'll have about an hour, as long as you make an effort.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Oi, mate. Mate. Mate, wake up.
0:04:11 > 0:04:12Wake up!
0:04:12 > 0:04:13It's the sheriffs!
0:04:13 > 0:04:17This giant teddy bear isn't causing any trouble.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19And with most of the squatters now awake,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22sheriff Kev McNally feels it's been a smooth operation.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24We came up the stairs and there was a couple of...
0:04:24 > 0:04:28one Alsatian and another dog. The Alsatian was growling a little bit.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30but he didn't go for any of us, which was a result,
0:04:30 > 0:04:32and the other one was fine, really.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34so...keep them under control at the moment.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38Last thing you want to do is get bitten at this time of the morning.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40The sheriffs aim is to keep people as calm as possible
0:04:40 > 0:04:42in a stressful situation,
0:04:42 > 0:04:44and so far it's working.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46We're just doing it as quick as possible.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49They're packing up, we can see that.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53So, as long as they getting on with it, we'll give them a bit of time.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55It's when they're not getting on with it,
0:04:55 > 0:04:59then they don't get the choice, they have to get out, then.
0:04:59 > 0:05:00But they are packing up so...
0:05:02 > 0:05:05But, just as the sheriffs are starting to relax
0:05:05 > 0:05:08one of the squatters is losing his cool.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12- You are disturbing me...- Least of your worries.- You're disturbing me with the light as well.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- Right, well, tough luck. - Walk away then.- Leave then. - Walk away from the camera, then.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- I'm just telling you to get down the light.- No.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21- He can do whatever he likes with his light.- He doesn't! He doesn't!
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Yes, he can. If you don't like it, leave.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26He didn't like the lights being shone in his face,
0:05:26 > 0:05:29but an eviction is never an enjoyable experience.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33Although one of the squatters is taking it all in his stride.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- HE GROWLS - It's that zombie movie!
0:05:36 > 0:05:38HE GROANS
0:05:41 > 0:05:44The pub interior certainly looks like a bit of a horror story.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48There's graffiti all over the walls...
0:05:49 > 0:05:51..damage to the ceiling,
0:05:51 > 0:05:53rubbish everywhere,
0:05:53 > 0:05:54and in the cellar,
0:05:54 > 0:05:58the beer pumps and electrical fittings are gone.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01But art fan Kev can see a bright side.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Generally, where we go, there's generally nothing. It's all rubbish.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07But you've got a bit there, actually, best bit we've seen for a while.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Bit of a square rigger.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Bit too many sails on it, but done quite well.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Always nice to see, as a street art fan.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Elsewhere, Lawrence isn't convinced
0:06:18 > 0:06:21the squatters are taking the situation seriously enough.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24All right, we're in a squat! Bleugh!
0:06:24 > 0:06:28Right. Come on you lot, instead of standing round, why not start moving some stuff out? Yeah?
0:06:28 > 0:06:33- We are moving stuff out, man, five minutes... Relax.- Well, doesn't look like it to me. Come on. Crack on.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- Stop lounging about, start moving stuff out...- Give me a minute, relax! - ..and put it in the van.
0:06:37 > 0:06:43- You wake me up- BLEEP- at five in the morning and you want to all these people...- Paid your tax?
0:06:43 > 0:06:47Although the sheriffs can demand people leave immediately,
0:06:47 > 0:06:51they are trying to let the squatters have enough time to gather belongings.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54But Lawrence is running out of patience with the polite approach.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57They've got loads of stuff piled up here by the doors
0:06:57 > 0:06:59then standing round smoking weed and jibber-jabbering,
0:06:59 > 0:07:03so they need to start focusing, and getting their stuff out.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- AS MR T:- Quit your jibber jabber! I pity the fool!
0:07:06 > 0:07:09SQUATTERS MOAN
0:07:10 > 0:07:11There you go, man.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Outside, the sun is coming up,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18and inside, the sheriffs have found a surprise so odd
0:07:18 > 0:07:20they need a picture of it.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23- He's built a bed over two of the toilets.- Disgusting!
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Not the nicest of rooms, is it?
0:07:25 > 0:07:26I suppose it's en-suite.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30But downstairs, the laughing is definitely over.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32One of the squatters is using a tattered piece of paper
0:07:32 > 0:07:34to block the camera.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Lawrence wants him to stop, and as a sheriff with a High Court writ,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39he has the legal authority to remove him.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Here, thank you.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43Oh! Remember, it's my piece of paper.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- Right, I think you're going out, aren't you?- Remember, it's my paper!
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- Out! Out!- Remember, it's my paper.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50- Out.- Remember, it's my paper.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52SOMEONE SHOUTS IN SPANISH
0:07:52 > 0:07:54- You cannot touch me.- Yes, I can.
0:07:54 > 0:07:55Yes, I can.
0:07:55 > 0:07:56Out!
0:07:56 > 0:08:00- You cannot touch me.- Yes, I can. - Come on, mate, you've been told, now out, go on.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- FEMALE SQUATTER:- Hey! Hey!- Do what you're told, you've been told!
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- Don't touch him, man, don't touch him!- Whoa, whoa, whoa! - Don't touch him?
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- You come in at five in the morning to my- BLEEP- house, and....
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- It's not your house though, is it? - Yeah, yeah, it's my house. What are you doing?
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- OUT.- Don't touch me.- Well get out, then.- Don't touch me.- Get out.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20SOMEONE SHOUTS IN SPANISH
0:08:20 > 0:08:22This man doesn't want to leave quietly.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26Sheriff Kev McNally feels he needs to be removed from the building,
0:08:26 > 0:08:28but it soon turns into a stand-off.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31These are my keys, my keys. My keys.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- What are you doing that for?- My keys.- Get out of my face.- My keys.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39- Get out of my face.- No.- Get out of my face.- No.- Julio!- No. - Right, you're going.- Julio...
0:08:39 > 0:08:40Right, he's going down.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- SHOUTING - What are you doing, man?
0:08:43 > 0:08:46The sheriffs will lift the man clean out of the building.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49The best way of keeping Lawrence and Kev's team and the squatters safe
0:08:49 > 0:08:51seems to be removing him.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- Get out!- It's rented, or something, it's rented.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56You're going out. Please.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59You had to get one, didn't you, that's gobby.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01He was mouthing off a little bit, something about his keys.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Not really sure what it was.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06SPEAKING SPANISH
0:09:06 > 0:09:10But anyway, kept shouting. Getting in my face a little bit, and there's only so much, you know...
0:09:10 > 0:09:12I don't have to tolerate that.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14We're here to get everyone out, and once you start being...
0:09:14 > 0:09:17being like that, aggressive inside, then you've got to go.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23And it looks like everything bar the kitchen sink will be joining him.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26No-one left up here now.
0:09:28 > 0:09:29SIRENS
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Outside, a team of technicians will secure the building,
0:09:32 > 0:09:34all at a great cost to the landlord.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36But they will be hoping that
0:09:36 > 0:09:38squatters won't be able to get back in.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40It's all secure now,
0:09:40 > 0:09:44there's now a metal door on downstairs, where we went in,
0:09:44 > 0:09:46and the contractors are still there, just...
0:09:46 > 0:09:48They're now secured in the building,
0:09:48 > 0:09:51and they're going round doing some other bits and pieces for the client.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55All in all, another job done.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59Cup of coffee, off for a bit of breakfast.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02And the squatters haven't allowed the incident to dampen their spirits.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05- SQUATTER:- Adios! Say goodbye! Thank you, thank you!
0:10:05 > 0:10:06APPLAUSE
0:10:06 > 0:10:10You don't know who I am, you don't know who you're messing with! Yeah. No-one.
0:10:11 > 0:10:12THEY BEEP THE HORN
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Today, sheriff Tommy Coyle is in Northampton,
0:10:26 > 0:10:28looking for a home to go to.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30A mobile home, that is.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32He's here because of an unpaid debt
0:10:32 > 0:10:35after the sale of a recreational vehicle
0:10:35 > 0:10:37that has now led to a local company
0:10:37 > 0:10:39owing money to a former client.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43We are in Northampton, I'm on my way to see an individual,
0:10:43 > 0:10:47a Mr Randle, for a large balance of 30,000.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50I'm just fingers crossed it's a trading address,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53and obviously I'll be looking for motorhomes.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56Tommy is heading for a company known as Itchyfeet,
0:10:56 > 0:10:58who deal in luxury motorhomes.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00If he can't get cash payment,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03he's thinking there might well be goods to take control of.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05If there's a motorhome there in his name,
0:11:05 > 0:11:08and he's totally unwilling to make any payment,
0:11:08 > 0:11:13or even an agreement to pay then, unfortunately, we could escalate it
0:11:13 > 0:11:15and remove then and there.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Tommy is on his way to see the Itchyfeet company.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22They owe the whopping £30,000
0:11:22 > 0:11:25to former soldier Kev Robinson of Skegness.
0:11:25 > 0:11:26He used to be the proud owner
0:11:26 > 0:11:29of this top-of-the-range American mobile home,
0:11:29 > 0:11:33which he bought from Itchyfeet for £70,000.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37We were on holiday. We had a look round Itchyfeet motor homes,
0:11:37 > 0:11:39and fell in love, instantly.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44It had everything that we wanted. The big bed in the rear bedroom,
0:11:44 > 0:11:47the leather P sofa, air suspension,
0:11:47 > 0:11:51power steering, power brakes, air brakes, absolutely gorgeous.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53It was just like sitting in an armchair.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57The eight-litre vehicle was so big and powerful
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Kev needed to have an HGV licence to drive it.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04But Kev had a heart scare less than a year later,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07and felt it was unsafe for him to drive such a large motorhome.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13I had a bad night one night,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16and it was thought that I had a heart attack and everything else.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22In the meantime, my HGV licence was up for renewal,
0:12:22 > 0:12:27and because of the heart scare I just handed my HG licence back,
0:12:27 > 0:12:29so I couldn't drive the motorhome.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33It broke my heart, really, because it was...
0:12:34 > 0:12:36..it was just a dream come true.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Kev contacted Eric Randle from Itchyfeet,
0:12:40 > 0:12:43the company he originally bought the motorhome from.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47They agreed to try and sell it on his behalf,
0:12:47 > 0:12:49and take commission on the sale.
0:12:51 > 0:12:57So, I agreed with Mr Randle that I would get £60,000 for the motorhome.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03The Itchyfeet company put it up for sale at £65,000.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09That figure included a £5,000 cut for Itchyfeet.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Michael Randle, the son of the owner, dealt with Kevin.
0:13:12 > 0:13:17I checked the website every week, phone calls...
0:13:17 > 0:13:21In fact, they took it to a motorhome show
0:13:21 > 0:13:24and it was bought at a motorhome show.
0:13:24 > 0:13:25The vehicle was sold,
0:13:25 > 0:13:29and the Itchyfeet company paid off over £30,0000 of finance
0:13:29 > 0:13:32that Kevin still had left on the vehicle.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34Kev was expecting Itchyfeet to take their cut,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37and give the rest to him, but as part of the deal,
0:13:37 > 0:13:41they took on another mobile home in part exchange.
0:13:41 > 0:13:46Eric Randle sent me a bank transfer of £10,000.
0:13:47 > 0:13:52The remainder of the money, which would have been about £16,000
0:13:52 > 0:13:54was still owed,
0:13:54 > 0:13:59and I was told that because there was a trade in part exchange
0:13:59 > 0:14:00against my motorhome,
0:14:00 > 0:14:03they would have to sell the part-exchange motorhome
0:14:03 > 0:14:07before I could get the remaining money from them.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10Kev was confident he'd get the remaining money
0:14:10 > 0:14:12when the part-exchange home was sold.
0:14:12 > 0:14:13And, in time, it was.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17The part-exchange motorhome was sold,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20and I noticed on the website again...
0:14:21 > 0:14:27..that "Sale Pending, Vehicle Sold", so I phoned Michael at Itchyfeet,
0:14:27 > 0:14:32I was told then that they'd taken a European motorhome in part exchange,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35and I won't get paid anything until they get rid of that motor home.
0:14:36 > 0:14:42This was going on for 18 months, now, and I getting very worried.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Obviously, this was putting financial strain
0:14:45 > 0:14:47on myself and my partner.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49She thought that I was being used,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52so it did drive a little bit of a wedge between us.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55With the remaining balance unpaid,
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Kev decided to take his case to court.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02Itchyfeet attended, but the judge found in Kev's favour,
0:15:02 > 0:15:05and he was awarded the remaining balance plus costs.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08A total of over £30,000.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11But even getting that turned into a battle,
0:15:11 > 0:15:14and he had no choice but to call the sheriffs.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18Mr Randle's ignored every Order from the court, on any payment times.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21That's the only way forward now, is the sheriffs.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30On the road in Northampton,
0:15:30 > 0:15:33sheriff Tommy has located the Itchyfeet office.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38Yeah, well, this looks like high value assets here, so...
0:15:38 > 0:15:40let's go have a chat with Mr Randle.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42There you go, Itchyfeet.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Tommy is itching to get inside.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Hello there. Is Mr Randle about?
0:15:53 > 0:15:55Could you get him on the phone? I'm an Enforcement Agent.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59Situation is we're here with a High Court writ of control, today,
0:15:59 > 0:16:00to execute it.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Basically, take control of goods, in lieu of payment.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09The receptionist gets boss Mr Randle on the phone straight away.
0:16:09 > 0:16:10Hello there, sir.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12My name's Tom Coyle, I'm an Enforcement Agent.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18Unfortunately, we've got a High Court writ of control for yourself, today.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20To who, sorry? Yeah.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23The owner is telling Tommy he's put in an appeal about the case,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26and he thinks he doesn't have to pay.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28I'll see what's going on...
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Yeah, and then I'll have a chat with you again.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32OK.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Tommy is confident that the writ is still live,
0:16:35 > 0:16:37and he CAN take payment,
0:16:37 > 0:16:38but will give the business a chance
0:16:38 > 0:16:41to find any paperwork that says otherwise.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Whilst they're doing that,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46he is looking at assets he could take control of.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49(I've started taking regies down, looking at assets, valuing things up,
0:16:49 > 0:16:51(because I don't know how it'll go.)
0:16:51 > 0:16:54At this point we are asked to leave the premises,
0:16:54 > 0:16:57but Tommy has confirmed that the writ is still live,
0:16:57 > 0:17:02and he's expecting goods or money to pay Kev Robinson what he's owed.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04Well, getting somewhere now.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Mr Randle's on his way back,
0:17:06 > 0:17:08it's going to take about an hour and a half.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12He's going to be paying £10,000 today, by transfer.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14We're signing a controlled goods agreement,
0:17:14 > 0:17:16which I mentioned earlier,
0:17:16 > 0:17:21for the balance to be paid, of £20,775, on this coming Friday.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25So it's looking like a bit of a result. I've just got to wait for him to travel back,
0:17:25 > 0:17:27he should be about an hour and a half,
0:17:27 > 0:17:29so I've just got to sit down and wait for him.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33A payment of £10,000 on the day,
0:17:33 > 0:17:37and the remaining 20,000 by the end of the week is a result.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40And whilst Tommy waits for the owner and his son,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43he's getting a good look at the vehicles on the forecourt.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45They may be company assets.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Soon enough, Mr Randle's son Michael is back,
0:17:50 > 0:17:53but he's not happy to see a camera following this case.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Mate, I'm telling you now,
0:17:58 > 0:18:02- unless you got a- BLEEP- warrant or a- BLEEP- court order to film us, you're not doing it.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04- CAMERAMAN:- Want me to call the police now?
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- If you want.- Yeah, I will.
0:18:07 > 0:18:08Inside the building,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11business owner Mr Randle is dealing peacefully with Tommy,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14but as our camera waits on the pavement,
0:18:14 > 0:18:16Michael Randle returns to the entrance
0:18:16 > 0:18:19and is demanding to be given any footage shot.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Yeah, you've been asked to leave, I now want to take this back,
0:18:24 > 0:18:26- you have no- BLEEP- right to film me at all.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- I'm telling you right now, I'll get the- BLEEP- tape,
0:18:29 > 0:18:31or you sort it out with me personally.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- I'll call the police then. - Just hurry up, mate. All right.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38After a tense moment, the camera is turned off.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43And a short while later, Tommy is on his way out,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45and he's got something for Kev.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50Took me into the office, made a 5,000 transfer. Paid the other 5,000...
0:18:50 > 0:18:52with cash,
0:18:52 > 0:18:55which cleared them out in the building.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58I receipted them for that, got him to sign a controlled goods agreement,
0:18:58 > 0:19:03which is for him to pay the remainder of 20,775 on the Friday,
0:19:03 > 0:19:05which gives him two days to get this sorted.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09His son is very angry about the camera being there today,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12so he weren't too pleased at all.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Asked me to leave, a couple of occasions,,
0:19:14 > 0:19:16when he come into the office, initially.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19The father was a lot more calmer, er...
0:19:19 > 0:19:20quite a decent bloke,
0:19:20 > 0:19:23and then, yeah, a good result today.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Before paying out the remainder,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30Mr Randle went back to court to appeal,
0:19:30 > 0:19:32but the judge found in Kev's favour again,
0:19:32 > 0:19:35and he finally received the remainder of his money.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41It takes such a weight off your shoulders. And...
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- Party! - HE LAUGHS
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Thanks, Tommy, it's a big up to you, matey. Thank you.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59Sheriff Kev McNally is out today,
0:19:59 > 0:20:03and chasing payments for his clients along with colleague Marc Newton.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06They're no strangers to following up court cases
0:20:06 > 0:20:08over car sales that have gone wrong.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11We are...in Essex...
0:20:12 > 0:20:15..and we're going to the Auto Car Exchange.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17It's a second-hand car dealers.
0:20:20 > 0:20:21Apparently, according to our notes,
0:20:21 > 0:20:24we've had a previous case against this guy
0:20:24 > 0:20:26and it was a paid-in-full at the time.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31A year previously, Marc visited the garage with Tony.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35- Huh?- Ain't got a lot in here. - Looks a bit chavvy.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39The owner said he knew about the debt,
0:20:39 > 0:20:41but insisted he shouldn't have to pay today
0:20:41 > 0:20:44because he'd applied to pay in instalments.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48I made an application to court, that's what they asked me to do.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50All right. Unfortunately, this is still a live writ,
0:20:50 > 0:20:53they've not put a stay on the writ at all.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55We've a copy of his letter to the court,
0:20:55 > 0:20:58refusing the offer of payment by instalments.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00If he's refused it, why haven't they told me that?
0:21:00 > 0:21:03I don't know. What happens now is, if he hasn't got his payment,
0:21:03 > 0:21:06he's entitled to take it to the High Court, which is what he's done.
0:21:06 > 0:21:07That's the writ.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11That's your bit, now, cos it's now £3,700.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16He wasn't happy, but Marc eventually made it clear
0:21:16 > 0:21:18a High Court writ needs to be paid.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21What's the situation?
0:21:21 > 0:21:23We need to collect the amount that's outstanding.
0:21:26 > 0:21:27Do you take credit card?
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Yeah, we take card. There's a 5% surcharge on a credit card, though.
0:21:30 > 0:21:315%!
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Thank you. All right.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- All right, cheers. Bye-bye.- Cheers.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Payment was made, and the sheriffs left
0:21:42 > 0:21:44with the money their client was owed.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50Today, they're back with a whole new case
0:21:50 > 0:21:53and now the pressure is all on Kev.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57We're looking for £2,353.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00So hopefully the cars will be there,
0:22:00 > 0:22:02be worth some money,
0:22:02 > 0:22:03and we'll get paid.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13Coming down the street, Marc spots the premises.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- Yeah, yeah. - What number is it?- 685.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18That car on the end, there.
0:22:19 > 0:22:20And now Marc remembers.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- It was me.- So you got paid in full? - Yeah.- What was he like?
0:22:26 > 0:22:27He was all right.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33He's quite a nice bloke, actually. He weren't, you know, like,
0:22:33 > 0:22:35you know when you get second-hand car dealers.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37But he wasn't like that, at all.
0:22:37 > 0:22:38This is an old case though.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42So they're hoping it should be a straightforward case.
0:22:43 > 0:22:44Hiya, mate. Is the governor about?
0:22:44 > 0:22:46- I'll just go and call him. - Yeah, no worries.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50We'll just have a look around,
0:22:50 > 0:22:52and see if we can see anything while we're waiting for him,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55but the guy's rung him, and he said he's on his way down.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58There's certainly plenty of motors to take control of,
0:22:58 > 0:23:00if the garage doesn't pay cash.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- Hello.- Hello, you all right? - Yes, thanks.- You all right? How you doing?
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- Yeah, yeah, yeah.- I had enough of it last time, thanks very much.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12We can't film inside the office,
0:23:12 > 0:23:14but the arrival of the sheriffs
0:23:14 > 0:23:17has confused the owner of Auto Car Exchange.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20He's saying he's never heard of the case against him.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23It seems this particular case relates to a car
0:23:23 > 0:23:26that was bought in 2008,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29but the garage owner says he has no knowledge of it.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33He says he's not paying out on a case he knows nothing about,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36but after a little bit of digging into the company's history,
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Marc thinks he can see the problem.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42The company was based in this building, but then moved out,
0:23:42 > 0:23:45and so they claim they missed all the official letters
0:23:45 > 0:23:48informing them they were being taken to court.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50They've now moved back into this building
0:23:50 > 0:23:52and are trading from here again,
0:23:52 > 0:23:56but say they have no record of the case that was brought against them.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59Confusion over, but the bad news is
0:23:59 > 0:24:01they still have to pay.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05The company owner asks Marc for more time to pay up.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Marc suggests that if he doesn't pay today
0:24:07 > 0:24:10the sheriffs will have to take control of vehicles,
0:24:10 > 0:24:12and there are plenty of those.
0:24:12 > 0:24:18So the garage pay up in full. £2,353.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21The owner expressed surprise about the court case,
0:24:21 > 0:24:23as the buyer brought an independent mechanic
0:24:23 > 0:24:26to inspect the car prior to purchase.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29- See you later. Cheers, bye-bye. - Cheers. Bye-bye.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32I came to this guy before, about 18 months ago,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35and paid up in full, then. No dispute over that.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38You know, he'd just been ill-advised.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42And then, we're back here again today, for a case that was...
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Well, what, four and a half years old,
0:24:45 > 0:24:47which he says he doesn't know nothing about,
0:24:47 > 0:24:49but again, he's a nice enough guy
0:24:49 > 0:24:52and he's paid up straight away,
0:24:52 > 0:24:53exactly the same as last time.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57Both times he's been straight as a die. He's just paid us straight away.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59You know, he's had a little thing about it
0:24:59 > 0:25:03cos he didn't know about this, but he knows we're there to do a job,
0:25:03 > 0:25:05and he knows he's got to pay at that stage, and he's done that.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08It would be a lot nicer if all car dealers were like him.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12It's been another good day for the sheriffs.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24There have been sheriffs since Saxon times,
0:25:24 > 0:25:27and they only enforce High Court writs.
0:25:27 > 0:25:32And I'm here with a court order to collect the sum of £34,311.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36If you've been awarded money by a court but haven't been paid,
0:25:36 > 0:25:40the sheriffs can enforce a writ and get you what you're owed.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44And it hasn't been paid, so he's transferred it up to the High Court, for enforcement purposes.
0:25:45 > 0:25:46If the debtor won't pay,
0:25:46 > 0:25:48they have the power to remove goods
0:25:48 > 0:25:51and have them sold at auction to pay off the debt.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54Are you going to pay in full, sir?
0:25:54 > 0:25:55Right, I'll get the crowbar out of my van.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00A High Court writ costs £60.
0:26:00 > 0:26:01If the sheriffs are successful,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04there's nothing more for the client to pay.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06So, there's 6,900 there.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Paid it straightaway, so... It's all good.
0:26:09 > 0:26:10If they're unsuccessful,
0:26:10 > 0:26:15the only cost is a compliance fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:26:15 > 0:26:16for each enforcement.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18THEY LAUGH
0:26:26 > 0:26:29High Court Enforcement Agents often start the day early,
0:26:29 > 0:26:32when they hope to catch a debtor before they leave for work.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34So an early alarm call
0:26:34 > 0:26:37for Lawrence and Kev sees them in Kent this morning.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Cold, wet, miserable morning.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Residential we're going to, always best to get there nice and early.
0:26:44 > 0:26:50We are looking for a Doctor...Lakshminarayana.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54The amount outstanding here is £8,670,
0:26:54 > 0:26:57so, a fair amount of money we're looking for this morning.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Wake 'em up,
0:26:59 > 0:27:01give them the good news.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02He was the director.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05But in reality, Lawrence and Kev know
0:27:05 > 0:27:08this case is unlikely to end in payment.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13They fear the man they are after has actually left the country,
0:27:13 > 0:27:14but they want to be certain.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Nice and wide for me.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19- Say "Ah."- Aah.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24The person they're here to help is Arati Patel from Kent.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29She qualified as a GP in the 1990s
0:27:29 > 0:27:32and has worked as a locum doctor ever since.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37My father was a doctor, and there were lots of doctors in the family,
0:27:37 > 0:27:40so I was surrounded by that, so I think that probably spurred me on.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44I had children, so I decided,
0:27:44 > 0:27:49rather than join a practice and a fixed surgery,
0:27:49 > 0:27:50that I would do locum work,
0:27:50 > 0:27:55which gives me flexibility of hours, and holiday periods, and so on.
0:27:55 > 0:27:56Cough for me.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00Arati was offered a job at the Anglesea surgery in Woolwich
0:28:00 > 0:28:02that seemed to suit her perfectly.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05The practice was run by Dr Lakshminarayana,
0:28:05 > 0:28:08who was never actually at the surgery.
0:28:08 > 0:28:13It was his practice, but he wasn't working there,
0:28:13 > 0:28:17so we had a number of different doctors working there, for him.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20After a while she began to notice
0:28:20 > 0:28:22that not everything at the practice was perfect.
0:28:23 > 0:28:28I got paid regularly for the first eight months or so of my work there.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32As time went on, the payments got later and later,
0:28:32 > 0:28:34and then in instalments,
0:28:34 > 0:28:36so I wasn't getting paid the full amount.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39I didn't press the practice for my payments,
0:28:39 > 0:28:41I just took it as it came, really.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46But other staff weren't as trusting as Arati.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Talking to the staff, it seemed there were a few rumblings
0:28:50 > 0:28:52that things weren't right financially.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57Arati continued working at the practice,
0:28:57 > 0:29:00and whilst the rumours continued, something else stopped...
0:29:00 > 0:29:01her paycheques.
0:29:02 > 0:29:03It was awkward.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07Doctor Lakshminarayana was responsible for paying her,
0:29:07 > 0:29:10not the local primary care trust, the PCT.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16It still hadn't even really occurred to me that I wouldn't get paid.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20One day, I turned up for work at eight in the morning
0:29:20 > 0:29:22to find the practice had been boarded up.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26The PCT had come in the night before.
0:29:26 > 0:29:27When I arrived, in fact,
0:29:27 > 0:29:30there were a number of patients waiting to see me
0:29:30 > 0:29:34who had appointments that day who were also, you know, in limbo.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38I managed to get hold of the practice manager on the phone
0:29:38 > 0:29:42who said that the practice had been closed down, and, er...
0:29:42 > 0:29:45yeah, so I just left and had to go home.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48Arati learned that Dr Lakshminarayana was,
0:29:48 > 0:29:52at that time, suspected of assisting to falsify immigration documents,
0:29:52 > 0:29:56and was being investigated by the General Medical Council.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00That meant she was unlikely to see her missing pay.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02She contacted the local PCT.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05They said because my contract was with him,
0:30:05 > 0:30:07and he was my employer,
0:30:07 > 0:30:09I had to take up the matter directly with him.
0:30:10 > 0:30:15I was obviously very troubled and upset by the whole thing.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19and then there was the financial burden as well.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22Arati tried to track down Dr Lakshminarayana,
0:30:22 > 0:30:24to get her missing three-months' salary.
0:30:24 > 0:30:25She couldn't find him,
0:30:25 > 0:30:29but did discover that he'd been suspended as a doctor,
0:30:29 > 0:30:32and rumours suggested he had left the country.
0:30:32 > 0:30:38It made me feel sad that he had a lack of patient care.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41And you know, the fact that he hadn't paid me,
0:30:41 > 0:30:46and then subsequently discovering there was malpractice against him,
0:30:46 > 0:30:48and that he was suspended, it...
0:30:49 > 0:30:51..it was difficult to accept.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55Arati took her case against the absent doctor to court.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58He did not attend to explain his actions,
0:30:58 > 0:31:00and the court found in her favour.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03But she's never been able to track the doctor down for payment.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08My last resort, I think, is to ask the sheriffs now to go in,
0:31:08 > 0:31:10and that's been a tough decision.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21Getting paid is all up to the sheriffs,
0:31:21 > 0:31:23but they're not confident.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25They've been searching at several addresses,
0:31:25 > 0:31:28and have spoken to a member of the doctor's family
0:31:28 > 0:31:29about his whereabouts.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35We've previously been to an address in Keston.
0:31:36 > 0:31:42We were advised that the debtor is actually retired, some years ago, and is now living in India.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47But he did confirm that this address in Gravesend is where he comes to
0:31:47 > 0:31:48when he's in the country.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52All their research suggests the debtor isn't in the UK,
0:31:52 > 0:31:55but Kev will have to brave the elements to find out.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57It's one degree outside.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07The sheriffs' powers cover them to operate in England and Wales,
0:32:07 > 0:32:09so if the debtor has left for India,
0:32:09 > 0:32:11he'll be out of their reach, and out of the cold.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14- Look, that's it there, innit. - I've been here.
0:32:14 > 0:32:15The sheriffs have found the house
0:32:15 > 0:32:17in complete darkness.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20Yeah, it's locked.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22I'm cold and wet, it's freezing.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27Right, well, obviously, we've found the house now.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30The gate's locked, it's looking a bit dark, but there is...
0:32:32 > 0:32:34- There is a car in there.- Yeah. - 64 plate.- Yeah.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38But a quick check in his information pack sent from the office
0:32:38 > 0:32:40reveals the car is off limits.
0:32:40 > 0:32:41So it's not his.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45Know what this means, don't you, mate?
0:32:45 > 0:32:47Kev's just about to go over the wall...
0:32:48 > 0:32:51..which is why he doesn't wear nice trousers and shoes any more.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54But Kev's big worry isn't his clothes.
0:32:54 > 0:32:55He thinks there's a guard dog.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57That's a definite doghouse.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00- So you're keen on going over then? - Well...I can do.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02Not scared of them, I just don't want to get bitten by them...again.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05I've got a habit of getting bitten by people's blogs.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08As Kev is worried about a possible canine encounter,
0:33:08 > 0:33:11Lawrence sees if there's any way through the locked gate.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13There's a deadlock. You ain't going to get me in there.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15We could get some Lurpak?
0:33:16 > 0:33:19Lawrence isn't keen to be buttered up.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Let's just leave paperwork, we know the vehicle's not his.
0:33:21 > 0:33:22How do you know that?
0:33:22 > 0:33:27Kev has decided he is willing to risk a dog encounter after all.
0:33:27 > 0:33:28Before you drop down, just...
0:33:29 > 0:33:31..make a noise.
0:33:31 > 0:33:32There you are.
0:33:32 > 0:33:33Kev!
0:33:35 > 0:33:38No dog, so Kev heads for the front door.
0:33:38 > 0:33:39KNOCKING
0:33:39 > 0:33:42You can see if you can open the gate, but I don't think you will.
0:33:42 > 0:33:43No, I can see it.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45Kev's had a good look through the windows,
0:33:45 > 0:33:48and there really is no sign of life inside the house.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50If it was a case of we thought he was in there,
0:33:50 > 0:33:51I'd be straight over.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55Lawrence won't be scaling the wall.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57If Doctor Lakshminarayana is even in the UK,
0:33:57 > 0:33:59he isn't here.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01The sheriffs will have to keep looking,
0:34:01 > 0:34:05and, for today at least, there is no money for Arati.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07Let's go back to the van and we'll do the paperwork.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12It's a disappointing end to the visit.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16KEV GROANS
0:34:16 > 0:34:17That's cold!
0:34:17 > 0:34:19- Dry!- My head is so cold!
0:34:20 > 0:34:22I don't think anyone was in,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25it looked really tidy inside the house, as if, you know,
0:34:25 > 0:34:27when someone leaves it when they go on holiday sort of thing,
0:34:27 > 0:34:30so perhaps he does live there, and just er, well, he lives abroad,
0:34:30 > 0:34:33- and just uses the house when he comes back.- Yeah, I think...
0:34:33 > 0:34:35That vehicle probably belongs to somebody else,
0:34:35 > 0:34:37they just let them park it there.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39Just not going to know at the moment.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42Now they're back in the warm,
0:34:42 > 0:34:44they check to see if any other information exists
0:34:44 > 0:34:47that might point to any other UK address
0:34:47 > 0:34:48for the missing doctor.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51But the writ only names the man himself.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53He is or was a director of companies.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57One of them's dissolved.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02One of the companies we were given details of never existed,
0:35:02 > 0:35:04but there is one company still going.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07Him and his son are joint directors,
0:35:07 > 0:35:10but that one looks to be on its knees, but unfortunately...
0:35:11 > 0:35:15..where we've got him as a defendant, and not the company,
0:35:15 > 0:35:18we can't, you know, we can't go after company assets,
0:35:18 > 0:35:20so we're stuck, really, chasing after somebody
0:35:20 > 0:35:24that potentially lives in India, which is not going to go anywhere.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28It's a bit strange that there's a vehicle parked on the drive.
0:35:28 > 0:35:33But it does look like it's potentially somebody Indian,
0:35:33 > 0:35:36who's living there, because of the ornaments and things like that.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39So, it is probably a case of he literally just uses that house
0:35:39 > 0:35:41when he comes back into the country.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44Even if you don't collect, it's nice to sort of encounter the debtor,
0:35:44 > 0:35:46and know you're on the right trail,
0:35:46 > 0:35:49but on this one, we're sort of left where we started, to be honest.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53The sheriffs plan to continue the search
0:35:53 > 0:35:56in the hope of getting Arati her money back.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01She later learned that Dr Lakshminarayana
0:36:01 > 0:36:02isn't a doctor any more.
0:36:02 > 0:36:07He was struck off for giving false information on medical records.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10It makes me really angry and frustrated
0:36:10 > 0:36:14that he's been allowed to get away with it, really.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18I'm not asking for anything that is not rightfully mine.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22I'm hoping that the sheriffs will resolve this,
0:36:22 > 0:36:24as it rightly should be.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39It's 11 o'clock in the morning,
0:36:39 > 0:36:42and Lawrence and Kev are on the trail of another company
0:36:42 > 0:36:43that hasn't paid a debt.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48We are just south of the river at the moment, Bankside.
0:36:49 > 0:36:54We are looking for the Eden Roof Company Ltd,
0:36:54 > 0:36:56and we're looking for a large amount of money here,
0:36:56 > 0:36:58we're looking for £23,408.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01That's a big old debt we've got here.
0:37:02 > 0:37:03It's got a note here as well,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06saying the defendant applied to have this matter set aside,
0:37:06 > 0:37:08but he was unsuccessful.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11And therefore they were awarded costs of £820.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16The defendant has sent a cheque for the £820 to them,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19however the full remaining debt is still outstanding.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28So we're not far away now, be there in a minute.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30The company the sheriffs are visiting
0:37:30 > 0:37:32is based in the Hop Exchange building
0:37:32 > 0:37:34in a historic part of south London.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39- That's the Hop Exchange. - This, innit.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41Oh, that's the German beer house I was in the other day.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43Yeah, where they do the steins.
0:37:43 > 0:37:44Let's turn up here.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46Borough market.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49- And even if we park here, we can walk through the market.- Yeah.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53Even arriving before the crowds, there's no such luck.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58Well, that wasn't very successful at finding somewhere to park, was it, going round there?
0:37:58 > 0:38:00Eventually, however, they do find a space.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06Having parked the van,
0:38:06 > 0:38:08they enter the Hop Exchange.
0:38:10 > 0:38:11Hello there.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14Eden Roof. What number we got?
0:38:14 > 0:38:19- Oh, 56 to 59.- Yeah.- All right. - 56 to 59.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22- Got to sign in, Kev. - Sign us in, then.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25In Victorian times, the ornate Hop Exchange
0:38:25 > 0:38:28was the centre of hop trading for London's brewing industry.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31Now, it's Grade II listed, and home to smart offices.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35Lawrence has spotted something with a prestigious parking space.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37Nice old Formula One car.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40Judging by that bundle of snakes coming out of the back, it's a V8.
0:38:43 > 0:38:44Time to introduce themselves,
0:38:44 > 0:38:48and ask for £23,408.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52- Hello there. Eden Roof Company? - Yes.- Hiya. My name is Mr Grix.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55My colleague and I are Enforcement Agents.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58We've got a High Court writ to execute against Eden Roof Company.
0:38:59 > 0:39:04It doesn't take staff long to get the absent boss on the phone.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Hello there, sir.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09My name's Mr Grix. My colleague and I are Enforcement Agents.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13We're here today with a High Court writ against the Eden Roof Company.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17I believe it's supplies that you haven't paid for.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19We were ordered out today to take control of goods
0:39:19 > 0:39:23to the value of £23,408.65.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26And the only way to prevent further action is to pay in full.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30Are you able to pay that in full, sir?
0:39:30 > 0:39:33Yeah, I'm aware you're not here at the moment.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Are there company funds available?
0:39:36 > 0:39:40He says he can't pay in full, but offers a small part-payment.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43It's not a case of paying an amount on account, sir.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45We are ordered out today to take control of goods to clear the debt,
0:39:45 > 0:39:49even if that means clearing every asset of the company,
0:39:49 > 0:39:51and basically making you unable to trade.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53It needs to be paid in full, sir.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55It should have been paid at the CCJ stage.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59No, we're not here to spread out a payment, sir.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02We're here to take control of assets.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04Despite Lawrence's tough approach,
0:40:04 > 0:40:09the goods in the office are worth nothing like the £23,408 he needs.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14Lawrence lets the man know that if they did remove them,
0:40:14 > 0:40:15they wouldn't be stopping there.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17We can go to any address in England and Wales
0:40:17 > 0:40:21where the company does have assets, and remove those assets.
0:40:21 > 0:40:22That seems to have done the trick,
0:40:22 > 0:40:26The man offers a much larger part-payment.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28And how much are we talking about, sir?
0:40:29 > 0:40:32Right, and you're able to do that immediately, are you?
0:40:32 > 0:40:34If you want to go set your laptop up...
0:40:34 > 0:40:35Yes.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38If you want to give me a buzz when you've done it...
0:40:38 > 0:40:39OK, bye-bye.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45Ten G now.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50- Coming round, is he?- And then the rest by the end of the month.
0:40:50 > 0:40:51Lawrence is pleased,
0:40:51 > 0:40:53and moments later staff present him
0:40:53 > 0:40:55with a printout of the bank transfer.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01Righty-ho. I'll check with my office.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10Would you be able to check the banking out for me, please?
0:41:10 > 0:41:11Ten grand.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13Yep, that's it.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Lovely, thank you very much.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17Cheers, bye.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19- Is that in there? - That's in the account.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Anybody able to get him on the phone?
0:41:22 > 0:41:23The boss?
0:41:23 > 0:41:25Lawrence isn't finished with him yet.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29Hello, sir.
0:41:30 > 0:41:31Right, we've got the £10,000.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35That's actually in our account already, so I'm going to issue a receipt for that.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38If I put balance in full by the end of February,
0:41:38 > 0:41:40as long as it's cleared, you won't see us again.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42OK.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45Erm... No problem. What I need to do,
0:41:45 > 0:41:47I need one of your colleagues here
0:41:47 > 0:41:50to sign what's known as a controlled goods agreement,
0:41:50 > 0:41:52whereby the goods in the office
0:41:52 > 0:41:54basically become the property of the court
0:41:54 > 0:41:56until such time as the debt is clear,
0:41:56 > 0:41:58so if you don't keep to the arrangement
0:41:58 > 0:42:00and pay in full by the end of February,
0:42:00 > 0:42:02we'll be back to remove the goods.
0:42:03 > 0:42:04OK.
0:42:04 > 0:42:05Thank you.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13Yep, sign there, and print next to it, yeah? So, sign on that line.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18OK. I'll leave this with you. That's your copy of the receipt.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24OK. So, providing that gets paid by the end of February,
0:42:24 > 0:42:25we won't be back.
0:42:27 > 0:42:28Paperwork done...
0:42:28 > 0:42:30Cheers, bye-bye.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33..the sheriffs head for the door with a smile.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35They've been here less than 20 minutes,
0:42:35 > 0:42:38and collected £10,000.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40That went fairly well, really, to be honest.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42We went straight into the office,
0:42:42 > 0:42:44and it turns out the staff own their own laptops and things,
0:42:44 > 0:42:47so there are no real company assets there.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50He paid £10,000 upfront today,
0:42:50 > 0:42:54which way, way covers any assets that were in that office,
0:42:54 > 0:42:58and if he pays the balance at the end of the month, it'll be happy days.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03It's been another successful job for Lawrence and Kev,
0:43:03 > 0:43:07and means another claimant getting the money a court says was theirs.