0:00:02 > 0:00:04- Meet the sheriffs... - Let's introduce ourselves.
0:00:04 > 0:00:05Got a High Court writ to attend here today.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07If it's not payable, I'll be removing the stock.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Their job is to get you your money back.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12- It's about to get physical. - It's an arrestable offence
0:00:12 > 0:00:13to 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're going to remove vehicles
0:00:18 > 0:00:21- to that value.- If you're acting on his authority, pay it.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24If you've been to court and still not been paid what you're owed...
0:00:24 > 0:00:28Are you going to open this building, sir? Or am I going to force entry into it?
0:00:28 > 0:00:31- You need to pay this. - ..it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33- Don't put your hands on me. - I'm going to call the locksmith,
0:00:33 > 0:00:36effect entry into the premises and remove all the items.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.- They're enforcement agents of the High Court
0:00:39 > 0:00:43and the law says - "They're on your side."
0:00:43 > 0:00:44Just collected 42 grand.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Coming up...
0:00:50 > 0:00:52This man thought his new car would be
0:00:52 > 0:00:55a reliable family runabout - but it let him down.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59When you're driving a car, you know, you want it to work.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03Sheriff Chris Pearson has the job of getting him his money back.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06- BLEEP- I'm not going nowhere... You do what you need to do, son.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Simple as that, we're not going nowhere.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11I'll give him till 5.45. If he hasn't got the money sorted by then,
0:01:11 > 0:01:13I'll clamp a car and get a truck.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17Sheriffs in London clear out a squat for a second time.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Wakey-wakey.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21But one man isn't leaving without a fight -
0:01:21 > 0:01:25and it's some of the worst abuse the sheriffs have ever encountered.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27SIREN WAILS
0:01:27 > 0:01:30And Sheriff Craig Wilde needs to be quick,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34if he wants to take control of a valuable BMW.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36We've got a vehicle that needs recovering.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Worst-case scenario is he suddenly turns up and it all kicks off.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55Sheriffs Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally have an early start
0:01:55 > 0:01:59in Lewisham today - and it's a bit of a Groundhog Day moment.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03They're removing squatters from a pub they've visited before.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05We're back in Lewisham.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07It's just about six o'clock.
0:02:07 > 0:02:13We've got a writ of possession for the former Market Tavern pub.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16We've done it once already...
0:02:16 > 0:02:18I doubt it will be the same people again.
0:02:18 > 0:02:19But you can never tell.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24After their last visit, the sheriffs will be hoping that at least
0:02:24 > 0:02:27one of the previous squatters is not back in the building.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33Last time round, this man reacted badly to proceedings...
0:02:33 > 0:02:37- Keys!- What are you doing?- My keys. - Get out of my face.- My keys! - Get out of my face.- No, no!
0:02:37 > 0:02:39- Get out my face.- No. - Right, you're going.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42- UPROAR - What you doing, man? What you doing?
0:02:42 > 0:02:44UPROAR
0:02:44 > 0:02:47In the end, he had to be carried out of the building.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54Afterwards, the pub was made secure, but someone has found a way back in.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Kev's not surprised.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59This does happen - not that frequently, but it does happen
0:02:59 > 0:03:02if properties are left empty. Squatters find them again
0:03:02 > 0:03:04and they're in again.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07The security boarding and doors and shuttering we've had put on before
0:03:07 > 0:03:09seems to be still in place,
0:03:09 > 0:03:11so we're going to go round the front entrance,
0:03:11 > 0:03:12which is where we think they're using.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15Enforcement agent Mark was one of the team
0:03:15 > 0:03:17who reclaimed the pub last time.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20He has some instructions for his colleagues.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24The door on the left seems...pretty loose.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27But if not, we're going to struggle to get in there,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29we're just going to smash the window,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32somebody get in, and open it up that way. As long as they can't
0:03:32 > 0:03:34get out onto the roof, that's the main issue.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36- Everybody good? - ALL: Yeah.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41It's time to call time on the squatters.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49The crowbars make short work of the door.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53Enforcement officers!
0:03:53 > 0:03:55The plan now is to wake everyone up...
0:03:57 > 0:03:58Wakey-wakey!
0:03:58 > 0:04:00..if they can actually find anyone.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07So, they've not gone long...
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Halogen heater is still running
0:04:09 > 0:04:11but the place appears to be empty.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13Lawrence checks in with the other agents.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16No, we ain't got anybody. You?
0:04:17 > 0:04:21The enforcement agents confirm that elsewhere in the building,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24a group of squatters have been found and are packing up.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27But Lawrence is following his nose.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Quite a strong smell of skunk, isn't there?
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Phwoar, the bed's still here.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Has that camera got smellyvision on it, has it?
0:04:36 > 0:04:38The sheriffs remember this room from before.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Double bed made on top of a couple of toilets.
0:04:44 > 0:04:45Whoo!
0:04:46 > 0:04:47Disgusting.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49They were sleeping on that last time.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52They've broken that one off the wall, and it honks.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56MAN RETCHES It's much, much worse than it was last time. Much worse.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01The interior of the building has taken a beating.
0:05:01 > 0:05:02Squelchy, squelchy.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Some of the damage and rubbish remains from the first set of squatters.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17Now, the best thing for this former pub is to gut it.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22Elsewhere, the squatters seem to be complying with instructions
0:05:22 > 0:05:24to pack up and leave.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26About six left in here at the moment, so just...
0:05:26 > 0:05:28They're all getting their stuff together.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32No dramas at the moment. Let them get their stuff together, get them out.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Although they have a writ of possession for the building,
0:05:35 > 0:05:38the sheriffs allow the squatters time to gather belongings
0:05:38 > 0:05:40like heaters and bedding.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43A little bit of time to get their stuff together
0:05:43 > 0:05:45and they're starting to take it out now.
0:05:45 > 0:05:46We generally allow them a bit of time,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49cos then there's no need for them to break back in.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58They'll even help them carry things -
0:05:58 > 0:06:00to speed up the process.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07This time, it seems the job will get done without a confrontation...
0:06:07 > 0:06:10until this man decides to hit the camera.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Who d'you think you are, man?
0:06:13 > 0:06:15And once wasn't enough...
0:06:15 > 0:06:17On his way out, he decides to do it again.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24Oi! Behave yourself. This one doesn't come back in again.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Lawrence doesn't want him back inside.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32But he's about to become a dangerous problem for the team outside.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36He's confronting the agents and is ready to fight.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39He's using abusive language.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Calm down.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44- All three of you.- BLEEP
0:06:44 > 0:06:47The man is offering to fight the enforcement agent.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52BLEEP
0:06:52 > 0:06:54And he's about to be racially abusive.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00BLEEP
0:07:00 > 0:07:02- Go back to where you belong, you- BLEEP
0:07:02 > 0:07:05He's even threatening the cameraman.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07BLEEP
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Enforcement agents are used to confrontation,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14but the racist language has surprised even them.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16But the man isn't finished yet.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20- I might be a racist but at least I've got morals, you- BLEEP
0:07:20 > 0:07:22- BLEEP- ..scum.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28Lawrence has seen enough, and is calling the police.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30We've got one who's kicking off, he's...
0:07:32 > 0:07:33The postcode is...
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Sierra, echo, one, three.
0:07:36 > 0:07:37Six, alpha, alpha.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41Before the police can arrive, the man is being held.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45Thankfully, the agents are trained in safe restraining techniques.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47This guy's got abusive,
0:07:47 > 0:07:49he's racially abusing one of our officers here.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Abusing everyone, so we're not having that.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Police are called and will be on their way.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Just hold him till the police get here.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58I'm sure they'll be interested to see how he behaves -
0:07:58 > 0:07:59can't do that.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01It's outrageous.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03I didn't see that.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05The police arrive quickly.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07This wasn't how the sheriffs thought
0:08:07 > 0:08:10this writ of possession would turn out.
0:08:10 > 0:08:11SIREN WAILS
0:08:13 > 0:08:15Now he's been restrained,
0:08:15 > 0:08:19the man has finally stopped the tirade of abuse.
0:08:19 > 0:08:20If he lets go...
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- I'm not going to do nothing, no.- All right, OK.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Going to let him go, lads?
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Come and have a chat with me over here.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Now the man has attracted police attention,
0:08:31 > 0:08:33and that's going to prove a big mistake.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38The enforcement agent he racially abused doesn't want to press charges,
0:08:38 > 0:08:41but the police are checking the man's records.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Yeah, he has a whole array of...abuse.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Wants locking up.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- Eh?- He wants locking up.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50Yeah, scumbag.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Lawrence might get his wish -
0:08:52 > 0:08:54a police search has discovered this man is
0:08:54 > 0:08:57wanted for non-payment of fines.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Right, so, because of that,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02you are going to get arrested, all right?
0:09:02 > 0:09:03SHE READS HIM HIS RIGHTS
0:09:05 > 0:09:08..may be given in evidence. Do you understand that, yeah?
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Quick search for anything that is going to hurt you or me.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20With him out of the way,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23the sheriffs can complete their writ of possession.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26For the time being, he will be staying in police custody.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37The sheriffs have had confrontations here twice,
0:09:37 > 0:09:40so Kev is hoping the building will be kept secure
0:09:40 > 0:09:42and they won't be called back again.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44Everyone's out now.
0:09:44 > 0:09:45The property is empty,
0:09:45 > 0:09:48they are going to put security on here for the next few days.
0:09:48 > 0:09:49And I think they're going to put
0:09:49 > 0:09:51someone in here, living in here permanently,
0:09:51 > 0:09:53just to keep it vacated.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57It's been a trying morning for the sheriffs, but the whole team
0:09:57 > 0:10:00are happy to be on their way for a well-earned breakfast.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Today, Sheriff Chris Pearson is on the road
0:10:14 > 0:10:16and chasing a debt in West Yorkshire.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Off to a residential address just outside of Bradford.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23Looking for a Shiraz Miah, trading as KM,
0:10:23 > 0:10:24which, I believe, is...
0:10:25 > 0:10:27..some sort of car business.
0:10:27 > 0:10:32He owes money - £1,856.02p to a Sheraz Afzal.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Chris's claimant is hoping the sheriffs will have more luck
0:10:37 > 0:10:38than he had.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46Sheraz Afzal lives in Nottingham with his wife and two children.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Several years ago, he and his wife saw an Audi A4 car
0:10:49 > 0:10:52advertised on the internet, and thought it was just what
0:10:52 > 0:10:55they wanted - so they bought it.
0:10:55 > 0:11:00When I first saw the car, it was up for just under £7,500, so...
0:11:00 > 0:11:01it was in pretty good nick.
0:11:01 > 0:11:07We chose an Audi because we'd had one before. It had served us well.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Sheraz bought the car from a dealer called Mr Miah,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13who was based in Keighley, Yorkshire.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18Well, he was a lovely chap, he told me all about himself,
0:11:18 > 0:11:20you know, seemed really personable,
0:11:20 > 0:11:22made me tea and brought me biscuits.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Shortly after buying the car,
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Sheraz noticed the oil light was frequently coming on.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31He put new oil in, but after a short while the light would come on again.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35A month later, Sheraz was at work
0:11:35 > 0:11:39when his pregnant wife, Sally, rang to say the car had broken down.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41He wasn't at his desk to take the call.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45I had about 15-20 missed calls from my wife,
0:11:45 > 0:11:49that clearly sent a...you know, a fair amount of panic through,
0:11:49 > 0:11:53you know, and then I tried to listen to the answerphones
0:11:53 > 0:11:57and the text messages, trying to work out what's happened.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59The car had broken down,
0:11:59 > 0:12:01so she'd ended up abandoning the car in town,
0:12:01 > 0:12:03and getting a taxi back with the kid.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05So it was all...
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Yeah, a pretty stressful evening, actually.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10Sheraz arranged a roadside repair.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13The recovery men told him that whatever caused the breakdown
0:12:13 > 0:12:16was probably connected to the car's oil problem.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19When you're driving a car, you want it to work,
0:12:19 > 0:12:21you don't want to be sat there going,
0:12:21 > 0:12:24"Is it going to conk out? Is it going to conk out?"
0:12:24 > 0:12:27My wife said, "We've got to do something about this.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29"I can't have this car."
0:12:29 > 0:12:33Sheraz worried about the risk of more breakdowns with his family
0:12:33 > 0:12:37in the car, so he part-exchanged the Audi at another dealer.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39He made a £1,000 loss on the deal.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43So I then decided,
0:12:43 > 0:12:47"Well, hey, that's not fair," you know.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52Sheraz went to court to recover the money he'd lost by reselling the car.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55He was awarded the judgment after his first hearing,
0:12:55 > 0:12:58but then the dealer, Mr Miah, appealed.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02It meant a nerve-racking second day in court for Sheraz.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05We were there for about an hour, um,
0:13:05 > 0:13:08we gave two quite different versions of events
0:13:08 > 0:13:10over the course of that hour, um...
0:13:12 > 0:13:15The judge preferred my version, but I remember,
0:13:15 > 0:13:18actually, my heart kind of pounding as the judge was about to deliver
0:13:18 > 0:13:22his judgment, which was, um, yeah, a strange kind of adrenaline high.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28The judge ruled in Sheraz's favour, and car dealer Mr Miah
0:13:28 > 0:13:32started paying off the debt at £50 a month.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38But he only made a few payments and then stopped.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42So Sheraz decided to take decisive action to get paid.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46This has been going on, now, for almost two years,
0:13:46 > 0:13:51I've had three cheques off him, you know, a random payment off him last week...
0:13:51 > 0:13:54So, I guess I just want this to...
0:13:54 > 0:13:56be finished.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59I'm...I'm bored and I want to get on with the rest of my life.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02The most recent cheque was for £500,
0:14:02 > 0:14:06but Sheraz feels he just doesn't know if more cheques will be sent.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08He wants the sheriffs to recover all the money -
0:14:08 > 0:14:11as, including costs, there's now a lot owing.
0:14:22 > 0:14:23Over in West Yorkshire,
0:14:23 > 0:14:27Chris Pearson is about to make contact with the debtor -
0:14:27 > 0:14:31and there's a large collection of vehicles on his drive.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34Take your pick out of this lot, basically.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39The debtor's not home...but he's on the other end of the phone.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42Hello? Hi, Mr Miah?
0:14:42 > 0:14:44The dealer is telling Chris that he's already
0:14:44 > 0:14:47entered into an agreement to pay monthly.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51But Chris is confident that claimant Sheraz has not accepted it,
0:14:51 > 0:14:53and a High Court writ for payment has been issued.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57He'll be here within ten minutes.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Excellent. Cheers.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05Whilst Chris waits,
0:15:05 > 0:15:09he takes a look at the potential assets parked on the drive.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11There's two Audis there.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13The debt's not that large, to be honest,
0:15:13 > 0:15:15so that would probably cover it - the 08 Audi.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Now the debtor himself is here.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- How are you, mate?- Good, how are you? - Yeah, not so bad, mate. Not so bad.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25Have you got any confirmation of the fact that there's an arrangement been set up?
0:15:25 > 0:15:29I haven't got my confirmation, but I've sent him the cheque already, in the post.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33At this point, our camera is asked to move off the driveway.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36But having a sheriff on his doorstep has convinced Mr Miah
0:15:36 > 0:15:39that he'll have to try and raise the money today.
0:15:40 > 0:15:46It's now dark outside, and Chris is settling in for a wait to get paid.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48He's ringing around trying to get the funds together,
0:15:48 > 0:15:50he says he's going to struggle...
0:15:50 > 0:15:52to organise it, but in the same breath he's telling me
0:15:52 > 0:15:56he's got all the cars on the drive, which are worth a fortune.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58And he lives in a £1 million house,
0:15:58 > 0:16:01and they own all this land round here. So if that's the case,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04I'm sure he will be able to lay his hands on £1,800.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07Time for a little gallows humour.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Might be a premonition this...
0:16:11 > 0:16:13HE CHUCKLES ..what's going to happen.
0:16:13 > 0:16:14RADIO PLAYS
0:16:14 > 0:16:16# I shot the sheriff
0:16:16 > 0:16:18# But I didn't shoot the deputy... #
0:16:18 > 0:16:22Now the debtor has returned with news about the outstanding balance.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31You've done well so far, you need to keep going, mate.
0:16:31 > 0:16:32It's the full amount you need to pay.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35It's nothing personal, it's just got to be the full amount.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38At this stage you need to pay it in full. It's non-negotiable.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43If that's what we need to do, we need to satisfy the full debt tonight.
0:16:45 > 0:16:46Whatever's left.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50The idea that one of his vehicles might be taken
0:16:50 > 0:16:53seems to have disturbed car dealer Mr Miah.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55Chris might need to turn on the charm.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00We'd get in, mate.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- How would you not let us in? - Say again.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04How would you not let us in?
0:17:04 > 0:17:06We'd remove it, take the car away.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09We get a tow truck to remove it.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Police will turn up and all the vehicles will be removed.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15It's that easy, mate, it is. I don't want to do it,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18I'm sure you don't want to do it. Just have a ring around,
0:17:18 > 0:17:20and come back and see us, soon as you can.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22It's all right, no problem.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Despite the ongoing banter, there's still no money.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29What sheriff Chris needs to see is the payment.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32Me patience is running a little thin,
0:17:32 > 0:17:34with him, to be honest.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36He seems like a nice enough guy,
0:17:36 > 0:17:39but I've seen it a thousand times, he's just...he's tying it on.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41I'm going to give him till 5.45.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43If he hasn't got the money sorted by then,
0:17:43 > 0:17:45I'm just going to clamp a car and get a truck. To be honest,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48a man of the means which he claims to be,
0:17:48 > 0:17:50he really should be able to organise these funds.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56The money still hasn't arrived - but more people have.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01There's been three...extra cars gone down since we've been here,
0:18:01 > 0:18:04so, I dare say, amongst them, they'll have the money, won't they?
0:18:06 > 0:18:07Time's up...
0:18:09 > 0:18:11But before he can walk down the drive,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14an unidentified man wants Chris to leave.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16This is not private, is it?
0:18:16 > 0:18:18This is not private, is it?
0:18:18 > 0:18:19- He's not- BLEEP- at all.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22I'm not going nowhere.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25You do what you need to do, son. Simple as that. We're not going...
0:18:25 > 0:18:27I tell you what...
0:18:30 > 0:18:32What's it got to do with you? Who are you?
0:18:32 > 0:18:33Who are you?
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Who are you? Who are you?
0:18:35 > 0:18:37Nothing to do with you.
0:18:37 > 0:18:38No, nothing to do with you.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40That's all I'm saying to you.
0:18:40 > 0:18:41You do what you need to do.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46The angry man is heading towards the debtor's property,
0:18:46 > 0:18:47so Chris decides to wait.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53Now the angry man has come to take a photo.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56So someone did shoot the sheriff...
0:18:56 > 0:18:57Weird.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02Chris heads back up the driveway to clamp a car.
0:19:02 > 0:19:03But there's an update.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05It seems his presence
0:19:05 > 0:19:08and the thought of losing a vehicle or two has motivated the debtor.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12Mr Miah claimed he couldn't get his hands on the full amount,
0:19:12 > 0:19:17so he phoned claimant Sheraz and offered to enter a formal financial agreement
0:19:17 > 0:19:20of £500 a month, to clear the debt.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24Sheraz would have preferred the lump sum Chris was chasing -
0:19:24 > 0:19:26but he has decided to be reasonable
0:19:26 > 0:19:31and let Mr Miah repay the debt in sizeable instalments.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Off camera, Chris has made the necessary arrangements.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39We've taken control of goods and the debtor's signed...
0:19:39 > 0:19:42signed for the goods. And the claimant's arranged,
0:19:42 > 0:19:44well, agreed £500 a month. At the end of the day
0:19:44 > 0:19:47it's a semi-result, I suppose - it's now officially arranged,
0:19:47 > 0:19:52£500 a month, so four months it's going to be cleared off - going to be job done.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55Getting an official agreement to pay what's owed to him
0:19:55 > 0:19:57is what Sheraz wanted.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01If he pays me - great, it's finished. If he doesn't pay me,
0:20:01 > 0:20:03you know, they can go round and...
0:20:05 > 0:20:07..um, get me the rest of the money.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09So it's nice to have closure.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23On a bright, cold, crisp, winter morning,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26Sheriffs Kev and Lawrence are negotiating the streets
0:20:26 > 0:20:30of London again, on their way to one of the city's iconic markets.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35We are on our way to One Of A Kind.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39I believe it's a vintage-clothing shop.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42It's actually on Portobello Road, famous for its market.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46We are looking for £6,251.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51The shop specialises in designer vintage clothing.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54The debt the sheriffs are chasing today
0:20:54 > 0:20:57is on behalf of a supplier who's based abroad.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01It's a European money order.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04There's been a European judgment, there's an order to pay money,
0:21:04 > 0:21:08and they've sought permission to have it enforced in this country.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13If the shop's unwilling to pay, sheriffs Lawrence and Kev
0:21:13 > 0:21:16can remove goods, to auction to settle the debt.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19And they've made sure they've done their homework.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24Lawrence has been online and they've got a vast selection of...
0:21:24 > 0:21:26vintage designer clothing, I believe.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Clothes, handbags, accessories, belts.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33Quite a small frontage to the shop, but it just...
0:21:33 > 0:21:35they've got an immense amount of stock in there.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42There it is.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Portobello Market's in full swing,
0:21:46 > 0:21:48but Lawrence and Kev aren't here to shop.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52Can they get their disgruntled client the money they're owed?
0:21:52 > 0:21:56- Hello, mate. How are you doing? - Yeah, good, how are you?
0:21:56 > 0:21:57Good, thank you.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00My name's Mr Grix. My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03We're here with a High Court writ to execute against One Of A Kind.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07While Lawrence and Kev's credentials are enough to get the ball rolling,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09we're asked to leave.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11The discussions continue inside.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Minutes later, Kev emerges to update us.
0:22:18 > 0:22:19The owner's a guy called Jeff.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Told him what it's about, he's going to get him on the phone,
0:22:21 > 0:22:23come down here and sort it out,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26but he's not aware of who our claimant is at the moment.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30Kev heads back in to support his partner, Lawrence.
0:22:30 > 0:22:35Soon after, owner Jeff arrives and the negotiations continue.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39We've been speaking to the owner in there. He's OK.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Er, he knows all about the debt,
0:22:42 > 0:22:44he didn't realise it had gone this far, to be honest.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47But he knows the lady who he owes the money to,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49he apparently has every intention of paying,
0:22:49 > 0:22:52he didn't realise it had got to this stage, which it has.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55So, he claims he hasn't got any money.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59While Lawrence has been doing the talking,
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Kev's been keeping his eye on the stock.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05Been upstairs, there's two rooms at the back, they're all empty,
0:23:05 > 0:23:09there's nothing in them at all. There's probably, 200-odd shoes...
0:23:09 > 0:23:13..so there is literally what there is in the front, which is still...
0:23:13 > 0:23:15to itemise it, there's a lot of stuff.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Some expensive pieces, but retail money,
0:23:18 > 0:23:20we'd have to take virtually the whole shop
0:23:20 > 0:23:22to cover anywhere near the debt we're looking at.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27And in case negotiations stall, Kev's worked out a plan.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30One of the options was to maybe put some padlocks on it,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33shut it up and have an on-site auction.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35But we didn't really want to go down that route at the moment.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Luckily, there was no need for that.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42Because minutes later, Lawrence and Kev emerge with a result.
0:23:42 > 0:23:43Of sorts.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47Basically there's lots, lots and lots of items in there,
0:23:47 > 0:23:51he's got sales where people have put deposits on items
0:23:51 > 0:23:54and he'll be able to clear the debt next Wednesday,
0:23:54 > 0:23:58so I've been very kind and given him till next Friday,
0:23:58 > 0:24:03taken £450 today, which was literally all he had in his bank account.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06I've made him aware of what my intentions will be
0:24:06 > 0:24:09if he doesn't pay in full and I'm quite content he's going to...
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Oh, here we go, shouldn't say it really! Um...
0:24:12 > 0:24:15if he pays, he pays, if he doesn't, we'll be back, put it that way.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Lawrence's confidence was not misplaced.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22The shop later paid the debt in full.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38The sheriffs are enforcement agents of the High Court.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41Got a High Court writ to attend here today.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44If you've been awarded money by a court but haven't been paid,
0:24:44 > 0:24:49the sheriffs can enforce a writ and get you what you're owed.
0:24:49 > 0:24:54I'm here with a court order to collect the sum of £34,311.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59Once inside commercial premises, they don't have to leave.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01- Just stay outside.- No.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03And they don't give up easily.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05You can't tell us things, you need to prove things.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08The onus isn't on us to prove anything at all.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11If the debtor won't pay, they have the power to remove goods
0:25:11 > 0:25:14and have them sold at auction to pay off the debt.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17I'm going to start taking control of all your vehicles outside.
0:25:17 > 0:25:22When the sheriffs do remove goods, the law says you can't stop them.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26- It's been removed. - No, you can't...- We can.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28A High Court writ costs £60.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31If the sheriffs are successful, there's nothing more to pay.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33All cleared up, paid in full.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36If they're unsuccessful, the only cost is the compliance fee
0:25:36 > 0:25:40of £75 plus VAT for each enforcement.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54One of the most powerful weapons the sheriffs have in their armoury
0:25:54 > 0:25:56is the threat that if a debt's not paid,
0:25:56 > 0:25:59they'll remove goods to pay it off.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01But it's very much a last resort
0:26:01 > 0:26:04used in less than 1% of cases.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08Today, Sheriff Craig Wild is heading to Wolverhampton.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10He knows, if push comes to shove,
0:26:10 > 0:26:13a tow truck is just a phone call away.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18We're off to go and see Mr Oswell, Graham...
0:26:19 > 0:26:21..who is the debtor.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24The debt itself is for £6,700,
0:26:24 > 0:26:28so it's not a small amount of money by any stretch of the imagination.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32The defendant has not paid up so far and if that doesn't change today,
0:26:32 > 0:26:36Craig's relying on information he's received from the client
0:26:36 > 0:26:40about a BMW and a lorry believed to be kept at the property.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43I haven't checked on Google Maps or anything.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46It may be his, um, residential home.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Or it could be a commercial premises.
0:26:48 > 0:26:53The claimant has said the BMW is registered to the defendant
0:26:53 > 0:26:56but the lorry is registered to a limited company.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00And significantly, Mr Oswell is the director of that company.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03However, that's been dissolved as of last year,
0:27:03 > 0:27:07so we'll have to have words with him with regard to,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10it can't be a company asset because the company's been dissolved.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18As he gets to his target address,
0:27:18 > 0:27:22spotting which house is the debtor's doesn't prove difficult.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24Oh, that could be the lorry.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28That's probably the Beemer, eh?
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Yes, that's his house, that's the lorry and that's the car there.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35The house is on property connected to a working men's club.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Craig wants to see if either of the vehicles are on finance
0:27:38 > 0:27:41and confirm their DVLA status.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47We'll do the HPI now and see what comes back
0:27:47 > 0:27:49and then we'll take it a bit further.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53- Bravo, one, nine...- Craig calls HQ.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55'Yeah, the Beemer is fine.'
0:27:55 > 0:27:57- Clear of finance, yeah?- 'Yes.'
0:27:57 > 0:28:00'Roughly speaking, we should get about four grand for it.'
0:28:00 > 0:28:03This means Craig can remove the car.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06He believes that if he leaves it here, it would be in jeopardy
0:28:06 > 0:28:08and could be moved by the owner.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10But what about the lorry?
0:28:10 > 0:28:13'Yeah, no, that's clear. There's no finance on that.'
0:28:13 > 0:28:15- Right, lovely. Ta-ra.- 'Cheers, bye.'
0:28:15 > 0:28:16The leverage is good.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19Both vehicles come back clear of finance.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22The BMW's worth about 4,000.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24The lorry, they can't do a valuation on.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27We're chasing £6,700, so, um...
0:28:27 > 0:28:30yes, it's looking good. Looking good.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34Ready to rock and roll. We'll go and see Mr Oswell now.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37Craig heads in.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40Can he get his client the money that's rightfully theirs?
0:28:40 > 0:28:42Nice wheels.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52If anyone is in, they're not answering the door.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58To try and find the debtor's whereabouts, Craig turns detective.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05The brake disc, slightly rusty. Only a few days there.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08Craig suspects no-one has been here for a while.
0:29:10 > 0:29:11December 14th.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17Hasn't been driven for a long time.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21We can't put a clamp on it, we don't do clamps that big, unfortunately,
0:29:21 > 0:29:26so we'll speak to Lawrence and see what he wants us to do with it.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Hiya, mate. Just to pick your brains on this one.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33No answer to the house at all, both vehicles are clear of finance.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35We can't get a valuation on the Scania lorry, but,
0:29:35 > 0:29:38to be fair, mate, that's probably worth about ten grand.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40The lorry's registered to the limited company,
0:29:40 > 0:29:42which is now dissolved,
0:29:42 > 0:29:45so what will happen to the assets of the company? I don't know.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49'We can't tell just like that, can we? We'll certainly take the BMW.'
0:29:49 > 0:29:53With Lawrence at HQ green-lighting the removal of the BMW,
0:29:53 > 0:29:57it's time for Craig to call the tow truck.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00We've got a vehicle that needs recovering.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03With the tow truck on its way, all Craig can do is wait,
0:30:03 > 0:30:08but he's acutely aware the situation could change at any moment
0:30:08 > 0:30:10if the debtor were to arrive in person.
0:30:10 > 0:30:15Worst-case scenario is he suddenly turns up and has attitude.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17He certainly will when he sees a tow truck
0:30:17 > 0:30:19and it all kicks off.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23Ideally I want the tow truck here as soon as possible.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27With that in mind, Craig starts the paperwork.
0:30:29 > 0:30:30Not bad condition.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34Obviously likes to pimp it up a bit.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36I'm not into this blingy sort of wheel.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38I don't like BMWs, to be fair.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40I'm more a Mercedes man myself.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46Suddenly a man does appear, but it's not the debtor.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48- Hello, sir.- Good evening... I mean, afternoon.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50- I'm the secretary of the club.- Yes.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53This is the club's house, this club's property...
0:30:53 > 0:30:56- I thought it would be, yes. - ..and he's a tenant.- Yes.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59And he's in Thailand at the moment.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01- He's in where, sorry?- Thailand.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03And he's due back on the 10th of March.
0:31:03 > 0:31:04How long has he been away for?
0:31:04 > 0:31:07Since about the 10th or 11th of January.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10Oh, I see. It's been a long, long, long time.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14The news for Craig is the debtor won't be here to prevent removal.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16We're taking the car away today.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20And, right on cue, the tow truck arrives to complete the job.
0:31:20 > 0:31:21Hiya, mate. How are you doing?
0:31:23 > 0:31:25Luckily for the tow truck driver,
0:31:25 > 0:31:27this one is a straightforward removal.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30But often the pressure is really on.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33Yes, you just want to get in, clip it and get out,
0:31:33 > 0:31:35because I have had people turn up before,
0:31:35 > 0:31:38but by that time she's on the back of the truck
0:31:38 > 0:31:39and I'm on down the road.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42- With that, the debtor's car is whisked away. - BEEPING
0:31:42 > 0:31:44If the debt's not paid within seven days,
0:31:44 > 0:31:46it will be sold at auction
0:31:46 > 0:31:48and the money used to help pay the sheriff's client.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51- Go on, then.- Yeah, absolutely. You take care. Ta-ra, mate.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53But the owner's away for three more weeks,
0:31:53 > 0:31:57so his chances of being reunited with his BMW are slim.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00The vehicle may be sold without him even knowing.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03A lesson learned for everybody.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05If you can afford to go to Thailand for at least three months,
0:32:05 > 0:32:07then you can afford to pay your bills.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11The more valuable lorry is not yet out of the woods either.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14The truck itself, we'll do further investigations on that
0:32:14 > 0:32:17and depending on how they prevail,
0:32:17 > 0:32:20we may come back and remove the truck as well.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23With the car gone and the paperwork delivered,
0:32:23 > 0:32:25there's nothing more Craig can do today.
0:32:25 > 0:32:30He leaves a front drive considerably emptier than when he arrived.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49Sheriffs Craig Wild and Tommy Coyle are back in the van
0:32:49 > 0:32:52and on their way to another job.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54This morning, we're off to a job in Birmingham.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57The defendant is a Thomas Moreby.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Thomas Moreby runs a garage called LT Motors,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03but this case dates back to work he did on a vehicle
0:33:03 > 0:33:05before he started the business.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08He was taken to court by the car owner
0:33:08 > 0:33:12and the judge found against him, but Mr Moreby hasn't paid up.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16The debt is just shy of £6,000, so...
0:33:16 > 0:33:17not a small amount of money.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19Hopefully he'll be open and trading
0:33:19 > 0:33:22and we can get in there and get it resolved.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30The garage is located on a trading estate.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33It doesn't take the sheriffs long to find it...
0:33:33 > 0:33:35- There you go.- LT Motors.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37..and head straight in.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39Hi, mate. Can I get in contact with Mr Moreby?
0:33:39 > 0:33:43- Yes, speaking.- My name's Mr Wild. It's about a High Court writ.
0:33:43 > 0:33:48- They've sent us out to execute it today for £5,994.- Oh, my...
0:33:48 > 0:33:50I've got 80 quid in my pocket.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53I'm waiting for customers to pick cars up and everything.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55- I'm here on my own, as you can see. - HE LAUGHS NERVOUSLY
0:33:55 > 0:33:58The issue is, unfortunately, the court order commands us
0:33:58 > 0:34:01to actually demand the payments or we take control of goods. The court...
0:34:01 > 0:34:04- Not against LT Motors, is it? - No, it's against you personally.
0:34:04 > 0:34:09- Everything is under LT Motors. - But it's you trading as,
0:34:09 > 0:34:12- not a limited company.- No. - No, so it's still your gear.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16Mr Moreby claims that the goods are owned by LT Motors.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18But because it's not a limited company
0:34:18 > 0:34:21and just a name the garage owner trades under,
0:34:21 > 0:34:23the goods here are all the property of Mr Moreby.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26That means the sheriffs can take control of them
0:34:26 > 0:34:27if there's no payment.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29Ultimately, the Court Order says
0:34:29 > 0:34:31we have to take it in full. If we can't, we've got to take
0:34:31 > 0:34:33- the stuff away. - I can't physically do it today.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36Right. We need to try and get as much money as we can at the moment
0:34:36 > 0:34:38and try and put you on some sort of arrangement
0:34:38 > 0:34:40- if you can't raise it.- Not today.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42- Then my hands are legally tied. - Yeah, not today.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45- Then you won't have a business today. - No.- All right.
0:34:47 > 0:34:48Yeah, no problem at all.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51The garage owner is desperately trying to raise money
0:34:51 > 0:34:53to pay off what the court says he owes.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56The sheriffs start listing removable assets
0:34:56 > 0:34:59that could be taken and sold at auction to settle the debt.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04We get this an awful lot - can't raise it, got no money.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06I've tried as much as I can to explain the implications
0:35:06 > 0:35:09of our actions today, to which he said he can't help out,
0:35:09 > 0:35:12so Tommy's now in the process of taking control of goods.
0:35:12 > 0:35:13Do that one as well.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16How much is that worth?
0:35:16 > 0:35:19There's a vehicle that's clearly owned by the garage
0:35:19 > 0:35:21as well as tools and equipment.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27They've also spotted a valuable red Audi car that could
0:35:27 > 0:35:30belong to the owner. Tommy's made a call to the office
0:35:30 > 0:35:32to get some details on both vehicles.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38The Audi S Line has got a logbook loan against it
0:35:38 > 0:35:41but it's secured, so we can't take it.
0:35:41 > 0:35:47The other vehicle has a book value of about £1,300 on it,
0:35:47 > 0:35:49- which isn't brilliant. - Without the Audi,
0:35:49 > 0:35:54there's not much here to cover the nearly £6,000 debt.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57They're still hoping Mr Moreby can raise some funds
0:35:57 > 0:35:58to make up the difference.
0:35:58 > 0:36:03- Nothing, then? - Still trying, still trying.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05Ringing friends and family, by the sounds of it,
0:36:05 > 0:36:08trying to raise as much money as he can.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12Craig calls the office to put a tow truck on standby.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16That way, Mr Moreby will know the sheriffs mean business.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Otherwise, he will lose the company-branded car and more.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24One car, four-poster, normal garage equipment.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27Seven and a half ton for the rest of it, yeah, it'll be easy.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29Cheers, mate. Ta-ra, bye.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33I've got a customer's car, I've got to finish that off,
0:36:33 > 0:36:35he's not collecting that till tomorrow.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37That Subaru out there, that engine's got to go in,
0:36:37 > 0:36:38that'll be planned for today.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40That owes me 800 quid out there.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42But the writ needs paying now.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46He can't raise anything until the weekend.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50The value of the assets here are quite minimal,
0:36:50 > 0:36:54but we are in a position to remove them if nothing is paid today.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56The sheriffs have a dilemma.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59Even if they take most of Mr Moreby's tools,
0:36:59 > 0:37:00it won't cover the debt
0:37:00 > 0:37:04and it could mean he can't work to earn the rest of what he owes.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07Not much more we can do, to be honest with you.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09But Craig's got an offer from the office.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12Just give us five minutes and I'll ring you back. All right, cheers.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15Can Mr Moreby find £2,000?
0:37:15 > 0:37:17They said that if you can come up with the two,
0:37:17 > 0:37:18they'd put you on arrangement.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23That's the sort of minimum figure we're looking at.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27Craig gets a call back - the truck he requested is standing by.
0:37:27 > 0:37:32But just in the nick of time, Mr Moreby has had a brainwave.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34How much time have you got left now?
0:37:34 > 0:37:36He's just organising now, why?
0:37:36 > 0:37:39I've got an Audi that I'm selling, the guy's going to pay me.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41I've just actually managed to get hold of the wife,
0:37:41 > 0:37:46so he's going to ring me back. Totally forgot about it.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49How much is this guy looking to buy this car for, then?
0:37:49 > 0:37:53- He's going to put a deposit down, hopefully of the two.- The two.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56A £2,000 deposit from the buyer might keep
0:37:56 > 0:37:59the claimant happy as a first payment.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02It's not the full amount, but it looks like Mr Moreby has found
0:38:02 > 0:38:05just enough money to convince Craig to call off
0:38:05 > 0:38:09his removal truck for now - if there's a plan for the rest.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11What's the possibility of you raising the money within a week?
0:38:11 > 0:38:14- Within a week?- Yeah. - All of it?- Yeah.
0:38:14 > 0:38:15Yeah.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18Now Craig will have to convince the office
0:38:18 > 0:38:20that Mr Moreby isn't being difficult.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22'The guy, to be fair, is quite open and genuine,
0:38:22 > 0:38:25'he's tried everybody in front of me.'
0:38:25 > 0:38:27When can you get the two for us, sir? Later on today?
0:38:27 > 0:38:29That's what I'm doing now, yeah.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35Craig and Tommy need to move on to their next job
0:38:35 > 0:38:38so, having done all they can for now, they give Mr Moreby
0:38:38 > 0:38:40a control of goods agreement.
0:38:40 > 0:38:45- We've taken control of these items here to act as security...- Yeah.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48..for the balance of £5,994.87.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52Give me a bell if you get the two, anything, cash, whatever,
0:38:52 > 0:38:54and I can come round and pick it up.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57A sole trader in a garage without a great deal of assets
0:38:57 > 0:39:00is a tricky assignment, but Craig's confident that he's taken
0:39:00 > 0:39:03the best option to get the whole debt paid.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06I think this is a fair result for both parties concerned.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10Ultimately, the assets were insufficient to remove.
0:39:10 > 0:39:11We've took control of them,
0:39:11 > 0:39:14we've entered into an arrangement with the defendant to pay.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16He's going to pay £2,000 later on today
0:39:16 > 0:39:18with the remaining balance within a week.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23Later that day, Craig did get a phone call from Mr Moreby,
0:39:23 > 0:39:28but he only paid £1,000 of the 2,000 he'd promised.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31He insists he intends to pay the rest and clear his debt.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46Today, Chris Pearson has a job that will see him
0:39:46 > 0:39:51enforcing against a household name on behalf of an unpaid client.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54We're off to Manchester today,
0:39:54 > 0:39:58Manchester Airport to see Thomas Cook Airlines Ltd.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01Unfortunately on holiday, but we need to see them on behalf of
0:40:01 > 0:40:06a couple of claimants who have put a claim in for compensation for delay.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12Thomas Cook Airlines, for whatever reason, haven't been forthcoming.
0:40:14 > 0:40:19A ruling by the European Court in 2012 enabled passengers
0:40:19 > 0:40:23who had suffered long flight delays to claim for compensation
0:40:23 > 0:40:27and if Chris doesn't get paid today, he has an alternative plan.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31If push comes to shove, if we can't identify
0:40:31 > 0:40:35any assets to take control of, we have to take control...
0:40:35 > 0:40:37In the event that they don't pay,
0:40:37 > 0:40:41we will need to take control of any available assets.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44Now, if that involves taking control of a plane,
0:40:44 > 0:40:47unfortunately that is what we will need to do.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50Pretty sure it won't come to that, but we are well within our rights
0:40:50 > 0:40:52if they are the only assets available.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00Chris's sheriff powers allow him to visit any address
0:41:00 > 0:41:04in England and Wales where he believes a debtor has assets,
0:41:04 > 0:41:06and that includes Manchester Airport.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11Parent company Thomas Cook made a £66 million profit
0:41:11 > 0:41:15in one year in the UK, so they should have the cash.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19But can Chris walk away with the £4,059 that's owed
0:41:19 > 0:41:21to his clients today?
0:41:23 > 0:41:25- Good morning.- Hello, there.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27I need to speak to somebody in connection with
0:41:27 > 0:41:29Thomas Cook Airlines Ltd, please.
0:41:30 > 0:41:31Thanks very much.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37Chris is in an on the case, but our camera is asked to leave.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Travellers at Manchester Airport are flying off on their journeys,
0:41:44 > 0:41:48while on the ground, sheriff Chris is trying to get payment
0:41:48 > 0:41:50for the two clients who were delayed.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54And in record time, Chris is out of the building with news.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59They paid by credit card. I had a PDQ machine at the end of the day.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03Both writs were cleared off, £1,232 for one
0:42:03 > 0:42:07and £2,829 for another one.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09That's two good results in one hit. Happy with that.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13Hardest thing was just waiting and people who, with respect,
0:42:13 > 0:42:17didn't know exactly what it was all about, people trying to help who were
0:42:17 > 0:42:20really just putting barricades in the way, putting obstacles in the way.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23That's a little frustrating at the time, but unfortunately,
0:42:23 > 0:42:25you just have to let people say what they have to say, let them
0:42:25 > 0:42:29get on with it and it'll all come to a peaceful outcome in the end.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31There's just been some glitch somewhere down the line,
0:42:31 > 0:42:34so we don't know what's happened, and to be honest,
0:42:34 > 0:42:35we don't really care what's happened.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37They've cleared up now, that's the end of it.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41A lengthy delay was the cause of the problem, but sheriff Chris Pearson's
0:42:41 > 0:42:45approach has led to a very swift end to this case.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50Thomas Cook Airlines told us...