0:00:02 > 0:00:03If you're owed money but aren't getting paid,
0:00:03 > 0:00:05it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09- My name is Mr Griggs. My colleague and I are enforcement agents. - I'm here to issue a High Court writ.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11I've got to do what I'm instructed to by the court.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15They're enforcement agents of the High Court,
0:00:15 > 0:00:18and if a court's ruled in your favour, they're on your side.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22If the debtor doesn't want to pay...
0:00:22 > 0:00:25You currently owe £9,461.80.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28..the law says the sheriffs can get you what you're owed.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31If you don't come to the door, we have to remove the vehicle off the drive.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34You are allowed a week to pay in full before it gets sold at auction.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37- Whether it's a small company... - Can I speak to the person in charge, please?
0:00:37 > 0:00:39..or a household name...
0:00:39 > 0:00:41We're here to see somebody from G4S.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43..if they owe you money, the sheriffs get it paid.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46I'm not going anywhere. You get him to come in here.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49We're not going to be waiting around like that. It needs to be done now.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50Just collected 42 grand.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Coming up - sheriffs Lawrence and Kerr visit a shop
0:00:57 > 0:00:59selling mobility scooters
0:00:59 > 0:01:02who owe a customer a refund and they plan to get it whatever it takes.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05The goods will be going because there is no evidence that they
0:01:05 > 0:01:07belong to anybody else.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11Estate agent Karen Vaughan was left on the brink of financial ruin
0:01:11 > 0:01:13after a building project went wrong.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15The snowball effect was catastrophic.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18I was over £20,000 further in debt.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Tommy and Craig track down a man who owes her money.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25But will he pay up?
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Ken pays a visit to a jeweller's shop.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32But can he get his hands on the gold and silver?
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Sorry, can you come to the door, please?
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Unfortunately, she's not letting us in.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39I can't shout through the letterbox, that's ridiculous.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44And in Burnley, a car yard is suffering an identity crisis.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46If you're trading as East Lancs Van Sales,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49you will have a Companies House number, won't you?
0:01:49 > 0:01:51But will the sheriffs get paid?
0:01:54 > 0:01:58This morning, enforcement agents Lawrence Griggs and Kevin McNally
0:01:58 > 0:02:00are taking a trip to the seaside.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02We are heading to East Wittering.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05Down on the south coast.
0:02:05 > 0:02:11We're going to Non Stop Mobility Ltd for a total of £1,903.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14So it's a commercial premises we're going to, a shop.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20The writ's in favour of a customer who bought a mobility scooter and
0:02:20 > 0:02:22wasn't happy with it.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24I quote, "It was not fit for purpose."
0:02:25 > 0:02:27After being refused a refund,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30the customer took the company to court and won by default
0:02:30 > 0:02:32after it didn't enter a defence.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36The sheriffs are hopeful they'll be able to get their money back.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41I imagine there's going to be plenty of assets at this shop, as long as the shop's still trading.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44We can fill this thing up with mobility scooters, if need be.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46It shouldn't be too much of a problem, I don't think.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48But...famous last words.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51Famous last words, indeed,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54as this job's about to throw up some surprises.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- There.- Just there. - The sheriffs head in.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02Inside, they find the company director's husband, Mr McWilliam.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05We've got a High Court writ against Non Stop Mobility Ltd.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12- They've set it aside?- Yeah. - When was this?
0:03:16 > 0:03:17It's a familiar story.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21Mr McWilliam claims the judgment has been overturned.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24But when he starts getting out his paperwork,
0:03:24 > 0:03:25a different picture emerges.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28His appeal hasn't yet been heard,
0:03:28 > 0:03:32so the only thing which will stop the sheriffs enforcing the writ today
0:03:32 > 0:03:37is if he's been granted a stay of execution, which he thinks he has.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Have you got a copy of the order staying the writ?
0:03:39 > 0:03:41Because I haven't. Obviously, if it's stayed,
0:03:41 > 0:03:43then we'll leave you in peace.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46But we've got no evidence, at the moment, that it is.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51But unless we can see that, then we have to carry on.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54The shopkeeper should have a court order confirming what he's saying,
0:03:54 > 0:03:59but he can't seem to find it and it's becoming increasingly obvious
0:03:59 > 0:04:02he hasn't understood the court process.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05There's two separate things. There's a set-aside and there's a stay.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08And each incurs its own fee. How many application forms did you send?
0:04:09 > 0:04:12And what did the application ask for, a set-aside or a stay?
0:04:16 > 0:04:20They won't give you a stay without a set-aside. And the fact that you've got a hearing date,
0:04:20 > 0:04:24that is when your set-aside hearing is. Well, if you've only paid 150... One lot of £155...
0:04:27 > 0:04:30If Mr McWilliam had got a stay of execution,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33then he would have had to pay a second court fee.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35It sounds like he didn't.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38If you can't find the paperwork, have you got the money to pay this today?
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Right, then we'll be removing goods.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47The man insists he does have a stay of execution,
0:04:47 > 0:04:49but his paperwork's in disarray.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51No, this was the original judgment.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55He's showing Lawrence various letters from the court.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59This is a notice that it's been transferred to Chichester.
0:04:59 > 0:05:00But none are the right one.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05So we're getting there, but you hadn't even opened that.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08Mr McWilliam says, because it's his wife's business,
0:05:08 > 0:05:10he doesn't know where the court order is.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16Are you able to give her a ring and see if she knows where she's put it?
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Well, she might know where it is, sir. And with all due respect,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21your paperwork seems to be a bit of a shambles.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23You've got letters you haven't opened and you don't seem to be able
0:05:23 > 0:05:28to find anything. It might be worth giving her a call to see if she knows where it is.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33Then, amongst a pile of letters, it's Lawrence that strikes gold.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- Oh, here it is.- It's the court order,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39confirming there's a hearing in a few weeks' time.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41But it's what it doesn't say that's crucial.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45There's nothing there that says enforcement action is stayed in the interim.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48That's because you didn't send in...
0:05:48 > 0:05:50It's the smoking gun Lawrence needs.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53He can now press on to try to get the claimant her money back.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57It doesn't stay execution in the meantime.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01So the amount outstanding is £1903.03,
0:06:01 > 0:06:04which needs to be paid immediately or goods will be removed.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Is there no-one that can lend you the money?
0:06:09 > 0:06:12No. Right, well, goods will be removed to clear the debt, then, sir.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Lawrence wastes no time in ordering a removal van.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20All right. Can I have a Luton van?
0:06:21 > 0:06:24I think it will all fit in a Luton.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29The sheriffs get to work deciding which items to take.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32In particular, they've got their eyes on the mobility scooters,
0:06:32 > 0:06:36which are the most valuable things in the shop.
0:06:36 > 0:06:37But now faced with their removal,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Mr McWilliam claims they are not the shop's.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46Right, have you got paperwork to that effect?
0:06:46 > 0:06:50Paperwork where you enter into a contract with people to sell goods on their behalf.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01Well, then the goods will be going, because there is no evidence that they belong to anybody else.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04But just when it looks like this job is only going one way,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07events take a surprising turn.
0:07:07 > 0:07:13Mr McWilliam has phoned the courts and is asking them to intervene on his behalf.
0:07:26 > 0:07:32He appears to have found a sympathetic ear and hands the phone to Lawrence.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34What I've said to the gentleman,
0:07:34 > 0:07:38he's obviously applied for a set-aside because he's got the hearing date,
0:07:38 > 0:07:40but he hasn't an applied for a stay in the interim.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43I've got a truck on the way to remove the contents of the shop.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47He should have applied for a stay, he hasn't. He hasn't got one.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50So the writ is live and we're here to execute it today.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53But the woman at the court wants to double-check.
0:07:53 > 0:07:54She's gone.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58She is going to go and speak to the judge.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00A few minutes later, she rings back.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03PHONE RINGS
0:08:07 > 0:08:09And it's just what Lawrence had feared.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13I need a copy of that revised order e-mailing to me, please.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17A judge has revised the court order
0:08:17 > 0:08:19and even though he hasn't paid for it,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Mr McWilliam has now been granted a stay of execution.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26As it is the sheriffs' job to carry out the court's wishes,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29they have to leave empty-handed.
0:08:29 > 0:08:30But later in the programme,
0:08:30 > 0:08:34we'll find out what happens when they're back two months later.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43If you've been ripped off and the person or company responsible refuses to
0:08:43 > 0:08:48pay you back, the first step is to make a claim in the County Court.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50It's simple to do this online
0:08:50 > 0:08:53for a small fee, depending on the size of the claim.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56The court will review the evidence, and if it finds in your favour,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59the debtor will be ordered to pay up.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04If they don't, then for a further £60, the High Court will grant a writ,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07authorising the sheriffs to act on your behalf.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10If they're successful, you get all your money back.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20In the Midlands, enforcement agents Tommy Coyle and Craig Wilde are on
0:09:20 > 0:09:22their way to Solihull.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26They're looking to try to recover a debt resulting from a business deal
0:09:26 > 0:09:28gone sour.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30The judgment's against a Mr Alan Beale.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32It's a home address, for just over £15,000.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34So it's a lot of money.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37The money is owed to Karen Vaughan,
0:09:37 > 0:09:42an independent estate agent who also dabbles in property development.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46Her involvement with Mr Beale began when she was looking for a new project
0:09:46 > 0:09:48to invest her savings.
0:09:48 > 0:09:49I've done a few projects.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53I've bought land, I've done some refurbishments on properties.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58And what I was really hoping to do is to actually do a build.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01That was really the next stage, the natural progression for me.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05A suitable site in Wolverhampton had come up,
0:10:05 > 0:10:07perfect to build four houses.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Karen could afford to buy the land but needed help to see the project
0:10:11 > 0:10:14through, so teamed up with a local builder, Alan Beale.
0:10:16 > 0:10:23I was providing the finance for the project, and Alan was dealing with all the building aspects.
0:10:23 > 0:10:28I'd seen some properties that had already been built with Alan.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31He's a likeable person.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35He seemed very knowledgeable on what he was doing, so, yeah,
0:10:35 > 0:10:39I thought that we were starting a good working relationship
0:10:39 > 0:10:42and it was the start of things to come, really.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Before they could buy the plot,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47the pair got surveys done and plans drawn up.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49But then the project started to drag
0:10:49 > 0:10:52and Karen began to realise there was a problem.
0:10:52 > 0:10:58Alan was quite a busy person and it would appear that he wasn't
0:10:58 > 0:11:01getting back to architects,
0:11:01 > 0:11:05solicitors, the vendor of the site, etc,
0:11:05 > 0:11:08within the timescales that they required,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11and eventually the vendor decided that he couldn't wait any longer.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15The seller pulled out and sold the land to someone else.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19That meant all their work so far was down the drain.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23Alan started to forward to me the invoices for the work that he'd
0:11:23 > 0:11:26instructed. For example, the architects,
0:11:26 > 0:11:28the site investigation works, etc.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32And I think it was at that point that the realisation hit that we
0:11:32 > 0:11:38were somewhere in the region of 20,000 in debt.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40And those bills needed paying.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44So Karen paid them, all £20,000 of it.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46She assumed her business partner would chip in,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48but she was in for a shock.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53Alan's attitude was that we had set up a limited company and the idea of
0:11:53 > 0:11:57a limited company is to protect you personally from any debt,
0:11:57 > 0:11:59if the company fails.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03He felt that there was no legal need to have to pay that debt
0:12:03 > 0:12:06and, therefore, if I wanted to pay them, that was my choice.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12Karen had been counting on the income from the completion of the project
0:12:12 > 0:12:17to honour other financial commitments and was now plunged into crisis.
0:12:17 > 0:12:23Personally, I was devastated that I was over £20,000 further in debt
0:12:23 > 0:12:26than I was to start with.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30The snowball effect, financially, was catastrophic.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36She missed loan payments, and her business was nearly repossessed.
0:12:36 > 0:12:42So when she finally managed to persuade Mr Beale to pay back half of the money, it was a huge relief.
0:12:42 > 0:12:47He drew up a loan agreement and agreed to pay an amount each month
0:12:47 > 0:12:49to clear that debt. He made the first payment
0:12:49 > 0:12:52and so I thought everything was great,
0:12:52 > 0:12:54we were moving forward at last.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56But unfortunately when the second payment was due,
0:12:56 > 0:12:58there was no money forthcoming.
0:12:58 > 0:13:04Despite phone calls, messages, texting and e-mails,
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Alan never came forward with any further payments.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11As he had broken a signed agreement,
0:13:11 > 0:13:15Karen was able to pursue him through the courts.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18She won a County Court judgment against Mr Beale,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21and when he still didn't pay, took it to the High Court.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26I've given him every opportunity to make this payment,
0:13:26 > 0:13:30but he's ignored everything and I have put it in the hands of the sheriffs
0:13:30 > 0:13:37and I hope that this will sort of evoke some sort of response and make him
0:13:37 > 0:13:39see that this debt is not going away.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Now, Tommy and Craig are on their way to see Mr Beale,
0:13:50 > 0:13:52and Craig is feeling confident.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54He is a director of four limited companies.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Building companies, a log home company.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00He's obviously clearly a man of means so, hopefully,
0:14:00 > 0:14:01we'll go and see Mr Beale
0:14:01 > 0:14:05and try and get Miss Vaughan's money for her.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10At the house, there is no sign of a builder's van on the drive,
0:14:10 > 0:14:13but is Mr Beale home?
0:14:16 > 0:14:17KNOCK ON DOOR
0:14:19 > 0:14:20Builder's boots.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Hello, my love. Sorry to disturb you. Trying to get in contact with Mr Alan Beale.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Are you his wife, are you?
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- My name is Mr Wilde, I'm from the High Court.- OK.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33If you can get him on the phone for me.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36I'm here to execute a court order.
0:14:36 > 0:14:37Yes, no problem at all.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39No, not you, Tommy.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42No. I'm locked out.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Craig is inside at least, so...
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Get some dialogue going.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56Inside, the woman tells Craig that she is Mr Beale's partner.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58As he seems to live there,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01the sheriffs could begin to list items to remove from the house to cover
0:15:01 > 0:15:06the debt, but it would be much better if Mr Beale could pay in some other way,
0:15:06 > 0:15:10so the woman manages to reach him by phone and Craig fills Tommy in
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- via the window.- He's just phoned in. He's saying he hasn't got the money.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- Right.- So we'll wait until he turns up, anyway,
0:15:16 > 0:15:18cos he's only about ten or 15 minutes away.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21But there's another guy called Kevin turning up as well.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24Mr Beale's apparently on his way back to the house,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27so it looks like the sheriffs are going to get to speak to him
0:15:27 > 0:15:31face to face. After a short wait, a truck pulls up.
0:15:31 > 0:15:32Here we go.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Mr Beale has arrived alone.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41He tells Tommy he can't afford to pay back his debt to Karen Vaughan
0:15:41 > 0:15:43and he hasn't brought any money.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45He doesn't want to be filmed and goes into the house,
0:15:45 > 0:15:47where Craig explains he's got a writ
0:15:47 > 0:15:50from the High Court that empowers him
0:15:50 > 0:15:52to remove goods to cover the debt,
0:15:52 > 0:15:56and after some fraught discussions, there are some promising signs.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Craig's just come out now
0:15:58 > 0:16:01and he just requested to get the card machine.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06It looks like Craig has managed to negotiate at least some kind of
0:16:06 > 0:16:10payment. Sure enough, before long, the sheriffs are on their way.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14So, nearly 18 months after signing the loan agreement with Mr Beale,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17has Karen finally got her money?
0:16:17 > 0:16:20The defendant turned up. He couldn't pay.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23But his partner decided to
0:16:23 > 0:16:27extend the hand of gratuity to him to get it paid off.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30So that's what she's done, £15,000.
0:16:30 > 0:16:31There you go.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33Another good day for the sheriffs.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Another good day, hopefully, for Miss Vaughan.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39I have to say, I am actually surprised.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Whilst I was hoping for a good outcome, I didn't expect this.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44So, thank you, sheriffs.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47You've done an amazing job. I can't thank you enough.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05Earlier, Lawrence and Kev visited a shop called Non Stop Mobility in East Wittering.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09They'd been taken to court by a customer who'd been refused
0:17:09 > 0:17:12a refund after buying a faulty scooter.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16The sheriffs had to walk away empty-handed after a judge granted the shop
0:17:16 > 0:17:20a last-minute stay of execution to allow an appeal to take place.
0:17:23 > 0:17:24Now, two months later,
0:17:24 > 0:17:28Lawrence and Kev are heading to the seaside town once again.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30He's had his hearing. The case has been thrown out.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32So we are on our way back here now.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34And we're going to get payment.
0:17:34 > 0:17:35Well, we're hoping to get payment.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38But the sheriffs aren't banking on it being that simple.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Last time, the shopkeeper said he didn't have the money.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45And now, with extra fees, the bill's gone up.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49Best-case scenario, he's expecting us and he's got the money sitting there, waiting for us,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- but I shouldn't think so.- One of the problems I foresee we're going to have
0:17:52 > 0:17:55is the main stuff of value was the scooters he had in there,
0:17:55 > 0:17:57the mobility scooters.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02Considering he knows he's lost his case, they might have gone.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04Going to know we're going to be back.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10Lawrence and Kev march up the street and into the shop.
0:18:12 > 0:18:13Hello.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16At first, the shop looks to be unattended,
0:18:16 > 0:18:18but then Mr McWilliam emerges from the back.
0:18:20 > 0:18:21- Oh, hello.- Hello again, sir.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24You lost your appeal, didn't you? So now the full total is due.
0:18:24 > 0:18:30We're here today to take control of goods to the value of £3,268.36.
0:18:30 > 0:18:31Were you not aware you lost?
0:18:39 > 0:18:42This time he asks our cameraman to leave.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46He tells Lawrence he thought he'd won his case.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49He gets out some paperwork from the court which he says will prove it.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52But it's a move that spectacularly backfires.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57He's saying he doesn't know anything about it and then produces a letter
0:18:57 > 0:19:01that is an order saying that his case has been dismissed and he also
0:19:01 > 0:19:05has got an extra £1,500 on top of the judgment there.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09So, by producing this letter, his debt's got £1,500 added to it.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12So he's not...he's not best pleased about that.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16The sheriffs hadn't been told about the additional costs awarded by the
0:19:16 > 0:19:21court. Now they've been added, the shop owes well over £4,500.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24And Mr McWilliam isn't about to settle up.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28He's saying he hasn't got any money to pay, the same as he was last time.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32And to be honest, I don't doubt him. His wife's got no money. He's got no money.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35So, the only thing we've got of value, really, are the scooters.
0:19:35 > 0:19:36I think there's nine scooters in total.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40He's saying he's signed a letter saying that his mate owns them.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42But that is literally just a piece of paper.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46So we've decided we're going to take these scooters because there's no
0:19:46 > 0:19:49other way we're going to get paid here at all.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52In fact, it's not just the scooters that will be going.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54To get the claimant her money back,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57they're going to have to pretty much clear out the shop.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01Lawrence has begun listing the goods one by one, and Kev reckons he's
0:20:01 > 0:20:03rather enjoying it.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07He's got a bit of a glint in his eye looking at some of these scooters.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10There's a sort of wide scooter that he's got his eye on, I think.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12He's coming to that sort of age.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Don't tell him that, though.
0:20:14 > 0:20:19But Lawrence shouldn't get carried away too quickly, as Mr McWilliam
0:20:19 > 0:20:21has again put in a call to the local court
0:20:21 > 0:20:25in a bid to stop the sheriffs in their tracks.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27They've advised him to fill in some different form
0:20:27 > 0:20:30that she's going to submit to the judge.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35And in the meantime, the atmosphere inside the shop is heating up,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38as a man has arrived with a large Alsatian dog.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42It turns out he's got some sort of stake in this business,
0:20:42 > 0:20:44so he's got money invested in it.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46I think he's the guy that owns the scooters as well,
0:20:46 > 0:20:48or claims to own the scooters.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51But I think he's got actual more investment than just that.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53He sort of bombed in here with his Alsatian,
0:20:53 > 0:20:57telling us we're not going to do this and that, and what have you.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01But it's going to take more than a large dog to put the sheriffs off,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04and the man soon leaves.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Meanwhile, Mr McWilliam has heard back from his latest appeal to the
0:21:07 > 0:21:11courts and this time he hasn't been so lucky.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14Surprisingly enough, the judge has seen it already,
0:21:14 > 0:21:16but dismissed everything.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18So that avenue for him has gone now.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22He's insisting he's got no way to pay and he's phoned around his friends
0:21:22 > 0:21:24and everyone else to see if anyone can help.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26But no-one is going to do anything.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30So the entire contents of the shop are going to be removed.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33There's three scooters, I think, that we've seen paperwork for,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36to show us that they don't belong to this limited company.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40The rest of it's going to be going and the truck is on its way.
0:21:40 > 0:21:45It's obvious the business is struggling, and emptying the shop isn't ideal for anyone.
0:21:45 > 0:21:51So Lawrence and Kev do make one last-ditch attempt to get the man to make some kind of payment.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55But it doesn't have quite the reaction they'd hoped for.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59Well, we basically said if he could get two-and-a-half grand together then we could
0:21:59 > 0:22:02leave the stuff here and put an arrangement in place for him.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05But he's not going for it, can't get any funds together, so he's gone.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09He's given us the keys to the shop and he's off. Left us to it. So...
0:22:09 > 0:22:11It's what he wants to do, it's up to him.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16The truck pulls up outside and Lawrence and Kev start loading.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19Well, that's going to be the first one.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22What's the best way to take 'em?
0:22:22 > 0:22:24Because we don't want them going down those steps.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27There's only one thing for it.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Right, get up there.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41After all, Lawrence is at home on anything with four wheels,
0:22:41 > 0:22:45even if it only goes 5mph.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49I do have some knowledge of mobility scooters.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53My mother got through a few in her latter years, God rest her.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56Managed to fit a few in the back of my van when they'd broken down,
0:22:56 > 0:23:00and I had to go and collect her. Cos she used to run out of batteries.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04Kev, meanwhile, is wrestling with the complexity of the machines.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07What's going on here? What's he done to this one?
0:23:07 > 0:23:08Has he broken this one?
0:23:08 > 0:23:11This one's got something wrong with it, Lawrence.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Only Lawrence doesn't have the same problem.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17It's very slow, but I'll get there.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Might have to push a bit.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26As for Kev, he's still struggling...
0:23:26 > 0:23:30It's not neutral. What am I not doing right?
0:23:30 > 0:23:32..and is ultimately beaten.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34This one, Lawrence, it's broken.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36What have you done with it?
0:23:36 > 0:23:38- It's just broke.- It's not broken.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40You muppet.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47They fill up the van as much as they can and though it probably won't be
0:23:47 > 0:23:51enough to cover the £4,500 the shop owes, every bit helps.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Mobility stuff has got a value.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58There's a few bits in there that are worth a reasonable amount of money.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00But most of it is second-hand.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02But it will have some value to it.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06And that means that the customer who took the shop to court will get at
0:24:06 > 0:24:08least some of their money back.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23Sheriff Ken Warby is battling the rain in Finchley, north London.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26He's pursuing a debt owed by another small shop,
0:24:26 > 0:24:28but this is a very different kind of business.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31We're off to a place called Gina Jewellers.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34The debt is £1,600.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37The only thing I know about it is it's a...
0:24:37 > 0:24:41it's unpaid invoices to a jewellery wholesaler's.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45The wholesaler is a family firm called Jenny Brown Ltd.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48After Gina Jewellers ran up an unpaid bill of over £1,000,
0:24:48 > 0:24:52they took the matter to the County Court and won a judgment in their
0:24:52 > 0:24:54favour. It's not been settled,
0:24:54 > 0:24:56and now Ken is on his way to chase the debt.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Ken's looking forward to the job.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02It's not just diamonds that are a sheriff's best friend.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05He'd settle for gold or silver, if it comes to it.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08They're very easy to remove goods from, jewellery shops.
0:25:08 > 0:25:14You can usually demand the full amount straightaway.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17So, yeah, pretty confident we could get a result on this one.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23Oh, there it is. And it is Gina Jewellers, yes.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Ken parks up and heads for the door.
0:25:32 > 0:25:33But it turns out he's not the only one
0:25:33 > 0:25:37aware of how easily the shop's stock can be removed.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41They've got a button-entry system, so Ken won't just be striding in.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43The lady's seen me standing here.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Hello.
0:25:48 > 0:25:49See if they'll come...
0:25:51 > 0:25:55Hello! Sorry, can you come to the door, please?
0:25:55 > 0:25:59The staff have decided they don't like the look of Ken and our camera
0:25:59 > 0:26:01and they're not opening up.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04Instead, they're battening down the hatches.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06It's an intercom to get into the door.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Now they're behind the protective screen and they're on the phone to
0:26:09 > 0:26:12someone now. Could be the police or anyone, I don't know.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Ken can't do anything unless he can get inside the shop
0:26:16 > 0:26:18or at least speak to the staff.
0:26:18 > 0:26:23With no leverage, he's got to try and be diplomatic.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27I'll explain what this is about. I've got identification on me.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Can you not come to the door?
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Well, I can't shout through the letterbox.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34That's ridiculous.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37That is, however, exactly what he'll have to do.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41Right, it's regarding a debt owed to someone called Jenny Brown Ltd.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Is that making any sense?
0:26:44 > 0:26:48Right, OK. You've got an amount outstanding
0:26:48 > 0:26:51as at today's date of £1,668.88.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56The staff member says the shop has recently changed hands
0:26:56 > 0:26:59and that the debt dates back to the previous owners.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03What Ken will need to find out is whether any of the assets inside
0:27:03 > 0:27:06actually belong to the company named on the writ.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10But that's going to be tricky, as the woman still won't open the door.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15Unfortunately, she's not letting us in, and the owner isn't back until
0:27:15 > 0:27:17later on this afternoon.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19She's told me to wait for an hour or so.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23I'm wondering what she is going to come back to the door and talk about.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26But at the moment she's only talking to me through the other side.
0:27:26 > 0:27:31A bit of a shame, because there's certainly plenty of assets in there.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33But unless the woman is willing to open the door,
0:27:33 > 0:27:37he won't be getting his hands on any of those assets today.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41Faced with little alternative, Ken decides to call it quits for now.
0:27:42 > 0:27:43Would you take this? All right?
0:27:43 > 0:27:47This just explains what the debt is about. That's the breakdown.
0:27:48 > 0:27:53All I will suggest, OK, because this is our first attendance,
0:27:53 > 0:27:56is that this gets paid today.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Because failing that, we will be back again.
0:27:59 > 0:28:04And when we come back, there will be extra charges on there.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08All right, thank you. Bye. Cheers.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13Ken's hoping the threat of a growing bill will prompt the company
0:28:13 > 0:28:16to respond, and that's the best he can do.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18I'm hoping that she's going to give me a call later on today,
0:28:18 > 0:28:20or get the debt paid.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24We'll be back another day. It doesn't bother me that much.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Ken heads off to the next job.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29But a couple of hours later, he gets a phone call.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31PHONE RINGS
0:28:31 > 0:28:34Hello. There are two ways you can pay that.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36You can either go online and pay it by card
0:28:36 > 0:28:39or you can do a bank transfer.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42Ken's presence at the shop earlier clearly had an effect.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46Even though the shop's being taken over by a different company,
0:28:46 > 0:28:50the sale hasn't yet completed and in the meantime the new boss is willing
0:28:50 > 0:28:53to settle the debt on the previous owner's behalf.
0:28:53 > 0:28:54Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58Apparently they're under new ownership but the guy that's bought
0:28:58 > 0:29:03the jeweller's still wants to clear the debts.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08The debt outstanding is £1,668 as at today's date.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12He said he can pay the 600.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14I said, if you can pay the £1,000 today,
0:29:14 > 0:29:18I'll give him two weeks to pay the balance.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20He's going to give me a call back.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22So, hopefully, that will get sorted soon as well.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28Later that day, the boss did pay the £1,000
0:29:28 > 0:29:32and cleared the remaining balance within two weeks.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35Jenny Brown Ltd have now got their money back.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51It's a bright spring morning, and Lawrence and Kev are in south London
0:29:51 > 0:29:54on the trail of a car dealership which owes a debt to their client.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57It's 11.30 in the morning.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00We are in South Norwood, south London.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03We are going to Prestige Car Sales.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06They owe £3,958.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10Prestige Car Sales of South Norwood,
0:30:10 > 0:30:12not to be confused with any other company of a similar name,
0:30:12 > 0:30:16was taken to court by painter and decorator David Goddard.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19His dealings with the business began when he was looking for
0:30:19 > 0:30:20a family-sized car for his wife.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25I've actually got about 13 grandchildren
0:30:25 > 0:30:27and six great-grandchildren,
0:30:27 > 0:30:31and my wife takes them, especially in summer holidays, takes them down...
0:30:31 > 0:30:34We've got a caravan in Selsey Bill.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38So it was always ideal to have a bigger car
0:30:38 > 0:30:40to carry the children around.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43They hadn't been looking for long
0:30:43 > 0:30:46before they found a car which seemed to fit the bill.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48My wife looked through the internet
0:30:48 > 0:30:52and found a Vauxhall Zafira
0:30:52 > 0:30:56at Prestige Cars of South Norwood.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59So they went to have a look and took the car for a test drive.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03We'd taken it out on the Saturday and it sounded quite nice.
0:31:03 > 0:31:08It was fine. The MOT was only three to four weeks old, the MOT.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12Unfortunately, I left my bag there in the back of the car after
0:31:12 > 0:31:14test-driving the vehicle,
0:31:14 > 0:31:18and when we got home my wife said, "Well, that's an omen."
0:31:18 > 0:31:21She said, "That car must be for me."
0:31:23 > 0:31:26So they bought it for £2,290.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28But the problems began immediately.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31The next day, there was a puncture.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34So we put a new tyre on the vehicle.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39Then I said, "Well, you best go down to the tyres place
0:31:39 > 0:31:40"and get the tyres checked."
0:31:42 > 0:31:46It needed another two tyres and this is only sort of
0:31:46 > 0:31:49two days after we bought the vehicle.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51And that was just the start.
0:31:51 > 0:31:52It was only a matter of days
0:31:52 > 0:31:55before it started misfiring about two cylinders,
0:31:55 > 0:31:59it rocking... It was jumping all over the place,
0:31:59 > 0:32:01misfiring, so on and so forth.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05And then, finally, it just gave up the ghost, basically.
0:32:05 > 0:32:10David called up Prestige Car Sales to report the car had broken down.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13He said, "Well, can you get the vehicle to us?"
0:32:13 > 0:32:17I said, "No, we can't really because it's immobile."
0:32:17 > 0:32:20Instead, they agreed he'd take it to a local garage.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23Their inspection revealed a plethora of problems.
0:32:23 > 0:32:28The core springs at the back were gone, the exhaust manifold nuts were missing,
0:32:28 > 0:32:30so that was leaking gases.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32He said, "If I was you... I've got it running for you
0:32:32 > 0:32:36"but you shouldn't really spend any more money.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38"It could be the engine,
0:32:38 > 0:32:42"it could be the gearbox or it could be a sensor."
0:32:42 > 0:32:45It could have been anything up to about £2,000 to £3,000.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48It was very, very frustrating that
0:32:48 > 0:32:52they'd sent the vehicle out in that sort of condition.
0:32:53 > 0:32:58David spent £600 fixing just enough to get the car back on the road and
0:32:58 > 0:33:02contacted Prestige Car Sales about the remaining problems.
0:33:02 > 0:33:07He said, "Well, bring the vehicle back and we'll sort it out for you."
0:33:07 > 0:33:09So David returned the car to the dealers.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11But while he waited for it to be repaired,
0:33:11 > 0:33:14he took a closer look at the service history documents,
0:33:14 > 0:33:15which he still had.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18He found a cylinder head had previously been replaced
0:33:18 > 0:33:21and the car had experienced recurring issues
0:33:21 > 0:33:23with the engine misfiring.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25I said to my wife...
0:33:25 > 0:33:29I said, "This car isn't any good."
0:33:29 > 0:33:32I said, "It's just not fit for purpose, basically."
0:33:32 > 0:33:37David decided he no longer wanted it and asked Prestige Car Sales to keep
0:33:37 > 0:33:39the car and give him a refund.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42They told him to put it in writing, so he did.
0:33:42 > 0:33:47I said I'd forgo the 600 and 200 I spent on tyres.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50"Just pay me the £2,290."
0:33:50 > 0:33:54I said, "All I want is my money back, basically,
0:33:54 > 0:33:57"so that we can get another vehicle."
0:33:58 > 0:34:00No reply, nothing at all.
0:34:00 > 0:34:05I couldn't believe that someone could think they could just take
0:34:05 > 0:34:08£2,000-plus off of somebody,
0:34:08 > 0:34:12a working person, and think they'd forget all about it.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15David took Prestige Car Sales to court.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17They didn't defend the case,
0:34:17 > 0:34:21so he won a default judgment for the full cost of the car and the repairs
0:34:21 > 0:34:23he'd made at his own expense.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25They still haven't paid.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28So now David's put the sheriffs on the case.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31It's a necessity and it's got to be done,
0:34:31 > 0:34:36otherwise I've no other way of getting the money back anyway.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47In south London, Lawrence and Kev are about to pay Prestige Car Sales a visit.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50I'm hoping the dealers are still here, for a start,
0:34:50 > 0:34:54and I'm hoping they have some assets and some cars worth some value.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00As they approach, it appears the garage is tucked away behind the main high street.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05They head in to make their introductions.
0:35:05 > 0:35:06Are you all right, mate?
0:35:08 > 0:35:10Are you the owner?
0:35:10 > 0:35:13- Is the owner about?- Sorry?
0:35:13 > 0:35:16Is the owner about? My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19We've got a High Court writ against Prestige Car Sales.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22We are ordered out by the High Court today to take control of goods
0:35:22 > 0:35:24to be sold at auction and clear the debt.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27Sorry, are you the owner, are you?
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Sorry, he just said you weren't here.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35So... I'll show you some ID. My name is Mr Griggs.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37The boss is here after all.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40Now Lawrence has to explain the whole thing all over again.
0:35:40 > 0:35:46We are ordered out by High Court today to take control of goods to the value of £3,958.28
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Those goods can be sold at auction to clear the debt.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52The boss leads them into the back.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56Basically, the only way to prevent further action today is to pay in full.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01The garage extends behind the row of shops and is actually much larger
0:36:01 > 0:36:03than it appeared from the street.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05But we don't get to admire the stock for long.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13- CAMERAMAN:- We'll wait outside.- All right.- Our camera is sent outside.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21Indoors, Lawrence explains that if the owner doesn't come up with the
0:36:21 > 0:36:23nearly £4,000 the court demands,
0:36:23 > 0:36:28then he'll have no choice but to leave with at least one of Prestige Cars Sales' vehicles.
0:36:29 > 0:36:34The boss isn't happy and says he has applied to get the judgment set aside
0:36:34 > 0:36:36but he doesn't yet even have a court date.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39- He knows all about it.- He's actually got the car here.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43So I don't know why he's got the car here and hasn't paid it.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46He's actually going back to court at some point.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50He hasn't got a date for that yet but he will be going back to court.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54Lawrence has told him the best course of action is to pay up now
0:36:54 > 0:36:56and try to challenge it later.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58It sounds like that's what he's going to do.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02He knows he's got to pay it, so he's going to get a card from one of his
0:37:02 > 0:37:05colleagues in there and they're going to pay for it.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10The sheriffs have been on site for a mere 20 minutes
0:37:10 > 0:37:13when associates of the owner arrive.
0:37:14 > 0:37:21Between them they produce a card, and Lawrence takes a payment for the full £3,958 owed.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24It all went fairly smoothly.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27They will, undoubtedly, take some legal action, I would think,
0:37:27 > 0:37:30to stop the money being paid out until they've had the hearing.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34At the end of the day, we've been paid and that's all we're worried about.
0:37:34 > 0:37:39In the end, Prestige Car Sales' application to get the judgment set aside
0:37:39 > 0:37:42came to nothing. The case never did go back to court,
0:37:42 > 0:37:44and five months after buying the car,
0:37:44 > 0:37:47David Goddard has got his money back.
0:37:47 > 0:37:52I'm very pleased that the outcome is in our favour and we have received
0:37:52 > 0:37:56our money back. It is great. Brilliant.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00Sheriffs are now officially known as High Court enforcement agents,
0:38:00 > 0:38:03and they'll collect the money you're owed.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08They've got more powers of entry than bailiffs.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11We don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17£1.6 million.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Their fees are set by the government,
0:38:19 > 0:38:23which debtors have to pay on top of what they already owe.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Thank you very much. See you later.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28If the sheriffs can't recover any of your money,
0:38:28 > 0:38:31there's a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:38:41 > 0:38:46Ken is in Dunstable, near Luton, on his way to a trading estate.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52We're going to visit a large furniture store, SCS.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55The original debt is just over £2,000.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01Ken's attending on behalf of a customer who bought a recliner sofa,
0:39:01 > 0:39:04but the leather finish began to peel off.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08When she asked the store for her money back,
0:39:08 > 0:39:12she was instead offered an alternative sofa at a reduced prize.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17She wasn't happy and despite the Citizens Advice Bureau intervening on her behalf,
0:39:17 > 0:39:20they couldn't come to an agreement.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25So she took SCS to court, and when they didn't offer a defence,
0:39:25 > 0:39:28was awarded a default judgment.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31Ken's not expecting them to remember.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35I'll give them enough time to try and find out exactly who the claimant is.
0:39:35 > 0:39:41The chances are, they'll need to speak to the head office because this is just one of their branches.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44But given the stock he knows will be on site,
0:39:44 > 0:39:46he's not going to take no for an answer.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50They'll have more than enough assets to cover the debt here.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53Pick one of about 40 three-piece suites, if you like.
0:39:53 > 0:39:57Sometimes, sheriffs go direct to the company's head office.
0:39:58 > 0:40:03But they're entitled to enforce anywhere the debtor has assets.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07This is one of a dozen or so stores they've got up and down the country.
0:40:07 > 0:40:12However, the notice of enforcement would have come to this address.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17- It's the address on the writ, so Ken heads on.- Hello.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22SCS, I'd like to speak to the person in charge.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26My name's Mr Warby.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30It doesn't take the man long to realise he's not about to make a sale.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33We're asked to leave while Ken starts the process of getting
0:40:33 > 0:40:36through to someone with the power to pay up.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38This is as I thought it would be.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41A big company, just spoken to the store manager.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43He doesn't know who this person is.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46So he's now contacting his head office.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49It's a small-ish debt, really, to a company this size
0:40:49 > 0:40:51and I'll give them a bit of time.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57There's only going to be one outcome, I want the money for my client, that's it.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01The manager is off the phone and Ken heads back inside to talk to him.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05Do you want me up there? I'll come up there.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08How do I get up there?
0:41:08 > 0:41:09Some progress has been made.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13The company's head office in Sunderland are now aware of Ken eyeing up
0:41:13 > 0:41:16their sofas and have said they're looking into it.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19I spoke to a lady, nice lady.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23I did tell her we need to get this resolved today.
0:41:23 > 0:41:29This manager is going to fax over a copy of the actual
0:41:29 > 0:41:31writ of control. So...
0:41:33 > 0:41:35..it's just a question of waiting at the moment.
0:41:37 > 0:41:38With nothing else he can do,
0:41:38 > 0:41:43Ken has a quick sit down and his thoughts turn momentarily to his own living room.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47This sofa is really nice, actually.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49It reclines a treat.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53The one I'm looking for, really, is on a button, an electric button.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55If I can get one like that...
0:41:55 > 0:41:58I'm not sure I'll get a discount here, somehow.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01Finally, however, the manager is back
0:42:01 > 0:42:04and an hour-and-a-half after he arrived, Ken's done.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06Head office are going to pay.
0:42:06 > 0:42:11A controlled goods agreement has been signed and, yeah, a successful job.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13The customer has finally got her money back.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17SCS might be a few thousand down on the day,
0:42:17 > 0:42:21but after Ken spent the morning trying out every sofa in the shop,
0:42:21 > 0:42:23they might have a new customer to make up for it.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28The grey one was rather nice.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30I did say to them, next time I come in, if I'm not holding my clipboard,
0:42:30 > 0:42:33maybe we can do some business.
0:42:33 > 0:42:38SCS told us the customer's sofa was inspected by...
0:43:06 > 0:43:09The sheriffs are used to dealing with all manner of obstacles
0:43:09 > 0:43:11in order to get debts paid,
0:43:11 > 0:43:14but once in a while their mettle is really tested and it's not always
0:43:14 > 0:43:17possible to get the outcome they want.
0:43:17 > 0:43:22In Burnley, Alan Pennington is on his way to see a second-hand car business
0:43:22 > 0:43:25called East Lancs Cars and Commercials Ltd,
0:43:25 > 0:43:28who've been taken to court by a customer.
0:43:28 > 0:43:33The claimant had stated that they'd bought a Suzuki,
0:43:33 > 0:43:37and they've had nothing but faults on the car,
0:43:37 > 0:43:41and a new MOT was promised and that didn't happen.
0:43:42 > 0:43:44The claimant won her case by default
0:43:44 > 0:43:47after the dealer didn't offer a defence.
0:43:47 > 0:43:52Now Alan's on his way there to see if he can recover £2,285 owed.
0:43:54 > 0:43:55But when he arrives,
0:43:55 > 0:43:58there's a different name on the signs outside the business.
0:43:58 > 0:44:00East Lancs Van Sales.
0:44:00 > 0:44:02As this is the address on his writ,
0:44:02 > 0:44:06and where the claimant bought their car, he heads in anyway.
0:44:06 > 0:44:08There are certainly assets here.
0:44:08 > 0:44:12Now all he needs to do is find the boss, Shaun Cosgrove.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16Hello. Mr Cosgrove?
0:44:17 > 0:44:18Is he here?
0:44:20 > 0:44:25No matter, Alan's here to do his job whether the boss is in or not.
0:44:25 > 0:44:28I'm an enforcement agent. I'm here with a High Court writ.
0:44:28 > 0:44:30For East Lancs Car and Commercials Ltd.
0:44:33 > 0:44:34East Lancs Vans?
0:44:35 > 0:44:39It might sound similar, but it's not who Alan's looking for,
0:44:39 > 0:44:43so he needs to find out whether East Lancs Vans is just a trading name
0:44:43 > 0:44:47the debtor uses, or if it really is a different company.
0:44:47 > 0:44:49Is Shaun Cosgrove still in charge, is he?
0:44:51 > 0:44:52Brian?
0:44:53 > 0:44:56And Brian is soon on the phone.
0:44:56 > 0:44:59My name's Mr Pennington from the High Court Sheriffs Office.
0:44:59 > 0:45:01I'm looking for a Shaun Cosgrove.
0:45:02 > 0:45:05The man says that's not him.
0:45:05 > 0:45:07Yeah, but what's your name, then?
0:45:07 > 0:45:09Alan's told he doesn't need to know.
0:45:11 > 0:45:14Well, I do want to get the bottom of it, don't I?
0:45:14 > 0:45:17Brian is refusing to give his full name.
0:45:17 > 0:45:22He also says none of the vehicles here belong to East Lancs Car and Commercials Ltd.
0:45:23 > 0:45:25Who are they owned by? Who are they owned by?
0:45:25 > 0:45:28Again, Brian won't say.
0:45:28 > 0:45:30You're trading as East Lancs Van Sales, aren't you?
0:45:30 > 0:45:32So you're going to have some paperwork.
0:45:32 > 0:45:34If you're trading as East Lancs Van Sales,
0:45:34 > 0:45:37you will have a Companies House number, won't you?
0:45:37 > 0:45:39Brian isn't giving anything away.
0:45:39 > 0:45:41So Alan tries to find out for himself.
0:45:43 > 0:45:46He heads into their office and begins examining their paperwork.
0:45:50 > 0:45:54As a High Court enforcement agent, Alan is acting well within his powers.
0:45:58 > 0:46:01Right. High Court writ, all stamped, OK?
0:46:06 > 0:46:10All I want him to do - Brian - is to be helpful to me and I'll go away.
0:46:10 > 0:46:13But then Alan finds a clue.
0:46:13 > 0:46:16I've just seen one of your receipts.
0:46:16 > 0:46:18East Lancs Car and Commercials.
0:46:19 > 0:46:22That suggests the debtor company is still trading here,
0:46:22 > 0:46:25but unfortunately the receipt isn't for a vehicle,
0:46:25 > 0:46:29so it isn't much help in terms of finding valuable assets.
0:46:29 > 0:46:31Receipts for those are apparently with Brian.
0:46:33 > 0:46:37Why don't you bring them down and show me so I can go away?
0:46:37 > 0:46:40- Why are you being awkward?- Awkward is an understatement.
0:46:40 > 0:46:44Brian tells Alan to go ahead and order a low-loader to remove vehicles to
0:46:44 > 0:46:49cover the debt. But he says when it arrives he'll turn up with proof
0:46:49 > 0:46:53they don't belong to the debtor company, so can't be taken.
0:46:53 > 0:46:58The only way Alan can find out if he's telling the truth is to call his bluff.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01It might well prove to be a waste of time,
0:47:01 > 0:47:05but Alan's job is to do whatever he can to get the claimant's money back.
0:47:05 > 0:47:08So it's the only option left.
0:47:08 > 0:47:10The office is ringing for a low-loader now,
0:47:10 > 0:47:12so I'm just going to check the size of the vehicles
0:47:12 > 0:47:15to see which ones we can take.
0:47:15 > 0:47:17Calling the low-loader unleashes
0:47:17 > 0:47:20a bout of activity inside the car yard.
0:47:20 > 0:47:23The staff are removing car keys from the office,
0:47:23 > 0:47:25the shutters to the unit have been rolled down
0:47:25 > 0:47:28and they're blocking the exit to the yard.
0:47:28 > 0:47:31- OVER PHONE: - 'Welcome to Lancashire Police.'
0:47:31 > 0:47:33Alan's calling for back-up.
0:47:33 > 0:47:35I need some police assistance, please.
0:47:38 > 0:47:40The atmosphere is getting tense.
0:47:40 > 0:47:43A large number of people are gathering, and the barricade
0:47:43 > 0:47:47to the car yard is growing. Even a dog has been added to the mix.
0:47:49 > 0:47:50The low-loader arrives.
0:47:52 > 0:47:55This thing here, will that take that bollard away?
0:47:58 > 0:48:00So do the police.
0:48:00 > 0:48:04Basically, there's the High Court writ with the stamp on it, OK?
0:48:04 > 0:48:06And then this guy turns up.
0:48:08 > 0:48:10What's your name?
0:48:10 > 0:48:11Is your name Shaun Cosgrave?
0:48:17 > 0:48:19Which vans?
0:48:19 > 0:48:21I'm not taking them.
0:48:21 > 0:48:23There's a van inside.
0:48:29 > 0:48:30This is what I asked
0:48:30 > 0:48:33over an hour-and-a-half ago and no-one bothered...
0:48:35 > 0:48:36So Brian's rang you, has he?
0:48:39 > 0:48:43Alan can only take control of assets if they belong to the debtor.
0:48:43 > 0:48:47So if the man really does have invoices in a different company name,
0:48:47 > 0:48:49then the vans can't be removed.
0:48:51 > 0:48:55Soon another man arrives with a bundle of paperwork.
0:48:55 > 0:48:58Shall we go in the office, Mr Whatever-Your-Name-Is?
0:48:59 > 0:49:03Inside the office, it's just as Alan feared it would be.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06The invoices show that the cars belong not the debtor,
0:49:06 > 0:49:10East Lancs Car and Commercials Ltd, but to a company called
0:49:10 > 0:49:12Used-car Sales (Colne) Ltd.
0:49:12 > 0:49:15Shaun Cosgrove is the director of both,
0:49:15 > 0:49:17but they're separate legal entities.
0:49:19 > 0:49:23Alan is going to have to leave without payment, and the frustration shows.
0:49:25 > 0:49:27I think he just basically wanted to waste my time.
0:49:27 > 0:49:29He knew what he was going to do.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32He basically said to me, "You do what you need to do and when you arrive,
0:49:32 > 0:49:34"I'll show you the paperwork."
0:49:34 > 0:49:37He's messed my time, he's messed the police's time,
0:49:37 > 0:49:40simply because he knew it was going to cost the sheriffs money
0:49:40 > 0:49:43and not cost him anything.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46On this occasion, persistence hasn't paid off,
0:49:46 > 0:49:49but for the sheriffs, a thick skin is part of the job description.
0:49:49 > 0:49:53I suppose it's the way things happen. You win some, you lose some.
0:49:53 > 0:49:57As East Lancs Cars and Commercials Ltd doesn't appear to have any
0:49:57 > 0:50:00assets that can be removed to cover its debt,
0:50:00 > 0:50:04there's nothing more that can be done to get the claimant's money back.
0:50:15 > 0:50:19Disputes between landlords and tenants are all too common.
0:50:21 > 0:50:25Today, Lawrence and Kev are about to enforce a writ in a case where a
0:50:25 > 0:50:27disagreement over a property
0:50:27 > 0:50:30ended up being decided by the courts.
0:50:30 > 0:50:33It's ten o'clock in the morning.
0:50:33 > 0:50:34Romford, we're heading to.
0:50:34 > 0:50:39We're going to go and find a Dr Soumyo Gorai.
0:50:40 > 0:50:44Dr Gorai was taken to court by a former tenant who claims they were
0:50:44 > 0:50:46unfairly evicted from the property.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50And according to the information we have,
0:50:50 > 0:50:53he proceeded to rent the property out to someone else
0:50:53 > 0:50:57with all our client's property and personal belongings still in there.
0:50:58 > 0:51:02The tenant claims they never got their stuff back, and took the case
0:51:02 > 0:51:04to court to recover their costs.
0:51:04 > 0:51:08They won a default judgment in their favour for £5,000,
0:51:08 > 0:51:10some of which has now been paid.
0:51:10 > 0:51:13But Kev and Lawrence are here for the rest.
0:51:13 > 0:51:16He owes £1,670.
0:51:20 > 0:51:22The sheriffs are arriving at what they believe
0:51:22 > 0:51:24is Dr Gorai's home address
0:51:24 > 0:51:27and they've spotted a black BMW they think is his.
0:51:30 > 0:51:31Yeah, that's it, yeah.
0:51:31 > 0:51:34The sheriffs have already done checks on a licence plate number
0:51:34 > 0:51:38they've been supplied to confirm the BMW was free from finance
0:51:38 > 0:51:40and so could be removed.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42- But there is a problem. - We have got it slightly wrong.
0:51:42 > 0:51:45We were given the wrong number, were we?
0:51:45 > 0:51:49One of the digits is different from what the sheriffs have been told.
0:51:49 > 0:51:52Right, so we haven't got a result on it, then, have we?
0:51:53 > 0:51:55That means they don't know whether
0:51:55 > 0:51:58this car is clear of finance after all.
0:51:58 > 0:52:01Lawrence heads to the house to see if the doctor is home.
0:52:04 > 0:52:07They try the bell but there's no answer.
0:52:07 > 0:52:10Lawrence looks for any sign of life.
0:52:10 > 0:52:14Anything in the letterbox that could confirm that he lives here.
0:52:14 > 0:52:18- There's one for him. - It's addressed here, is it?
0:52:18 > 0:52:22And another one and another one. And another one.
0:52:22 > 0:52:26So the sheriffs are in the right place, but is the debtor here today?
0:52:31 > 0:52:35With barbed wire on top of the wall, they won't be climbing over.
0:52:35 > 0:52:38While Lawrence takes a closer look at the car,
0:52:38 > 0:52:39Ken tries the neighbours.
0:52:39 > 0:52:43I wonder if you could help me. Do you know if it's Dr Gorai living next door?
0:52:43 > 0:52:45But they don't seem to know.
0:52:45 > 0:52:47All right, no worries.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50It looks like this could be a wasted trip.
0:52:50 > 0:52:52We've just had to leave paperwork.
0:52:52 > 0:52:54It's unfortunate
0:52:54 > 0:52:57that we were given the wrong registration for the vehicle.
0:52:57 > 0:53:00It wouldn't have mattered whether they were in or not,
0:53:00 > 0:53:02we'd have taken the car.
0:53:02 > 0:53:06So we'll have to hope now that either he gets in touch and pays,
0:53:06 > 0:53:09or the car is still here when we come back,
0:53:09 > 0:53:10if he doesn't get in touch.
0:53:10 > 0:53:13- Hold up.- I have my suspicions about that... Ah.
0:53:14 > 0:53:18But just as hope of getting debt paid is fading,
0:53:18 > 0:53:21a car pulls into the drive.
0:53:21 > 0:53:23It's Dr Gorai.
0:53:23 > 0:53:25Once he's stepped out of the car,
0:53:25 > 0:53:28Lawrence takes the opportunity to acquire his car keys.
0:53:28 > 0:53:33It won't be worth as much as the BMW, but it's something.
0:53:33 > 0:53:36My name is Mr Griggs, my colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:53:36 > 0:53:38We're here today with a High Court writ.
0:53:38 > 0:53:42The total outstanding is £1,670.16
0:53:42 > 0:53:45We're ordered here today by the High Court to take control of goods
0:53:45 > 0:53:48to clear that debt, unless you pay in full.
0:53:48 > 0:53:50- I can pay in full.- If you give me the account details,
0:53:50 > 0:53:54- I will transfer it straight away. - OK.
0:53:54 > 0:53:57Dr Gorai has immediately offered to settle the bill,
0:53:57 > 0:53:59so why didn't he pay earlier?
0:53:59 > 0:54:02Your letters don't give us any account details.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05No, but it gives you details of how you can get in touch with us to make
0:54:05 > 0:54:08- the payment, doesn't it?- But without account details, how can I make a payment?
0:54:08 > 0:54:12Right, that's something you need to take up with the Ministry of Justice, sir,
0:54:12 > 0:54:15because the forms are prescribed forms by the Ministry of Justice.
0:54:15 > 0:54:16- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:54:17 > 0:54:21And Lawrence is happy to provide all the details Dr Gorai needs.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24It's that sort code, that account number.
0:54:24 > 0:54:26It needs to be done as an immediate payment.
0:54:26 > 0:54:29If you do that, then I'll check with my office, and providing
0:54:29 > 0:54:32the money has gone into the account, we will issue you a receipt,
0:54:32 > 0:54:35you can have your keys back and we'll be on our way.
0:54:35 > 0:54:37Without my keys, I can't get into my property.
0:54:37 > 0:54:41- That's a car key, sir.- My house key is in the boot of the car.
0:54:41 > 0:54:45Lawrence doesn't want to give the car keys back,
0:54:45 > 0:54:47but opens the boot for him.
0:54:50 > 0:54:52Dr Gorai unlocks the house
0:54:52 > 0:54:54and starts to get some things from the car.
0:54:54 > 0:54:58But he's left the front door open, so Kev steps in,
0:54:58 > 0:55:00closely followed by Lawrence.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03- Can you wait outside?- No, my colleague is already inside, sir.
0:55:03 > 0:55:06We'll come in while you make the payment.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08Is that what you...
0:55:08 > 0:55:11The sheriffs are legally allowed to walk through an open door
0:55:11 > 0:55:13into a residential premises.
0:55:13 > 0:55:15Once inside, they can't be told to leave.
0:55:18 > 0:55:20But ten minutes later,
0:55:20 > 0:55:22the sheriffs are back out of their own accord
0:55:22 > 0:55:25with their every move filmed by the debtor,
0:55:25 > 0:55:28who is also willing to volunteer his side of the story.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33This was regarding a tenant of mine
0:55:33 > 0:55:38who stayed in my property for seven months without paying rent,
0:55:38 > 0:55:40trashed my property,
0:55:40 > 0:55:42kept a snake in the property,
0:55:42 > 0:55:44kept rats in the property,
0:55:44 > 0:55:47completely trashed my garden.
0:55:47 > 0:55:50Dr Gorai claims the tenants left of their own accord
0:55:50 > 0:55:52when he chased them for the rent.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55Then I used my keys to get into the property and there
0:55:55 > 0:55:59were some goods left in the property.
0:55:59 > 0:56:01When we changed the locks for the front door,
0:56:01 > 0:56:04they then went to the court and tried to get money back
0:56:04 > 0:56:09for the £5,000 of goods that they thought I had stolen from them,
0:56:09 > 0:56:11which we had kept for them for some time
0:56:11 > 0:56:12but they didn't come to collect it,
0:56:12 > 0:56:15and when they didn't come to collect it,
0:56:15 > 0:56:17we had to dispose of the goods
0:56:17 > 0:56:19because we didn't want to touch their goods.
0:56:19 > 0:56:23But the court ruled in the tenants' favour, and ordered Dr Gorai
0:56:23 > 0:56:26to pay them £5,000, which he hasn't done.
0:56:26 > 0:56:29Dr Gorai admits he received a demand for payment
0:56:29 > 0:56:31from the sheriffs,
0:56:31 > 0:56:34but didn't think he'd been given enough information.
0:56:34 > 0:56:36There was no bank account,
0:56:36 > 0:56:39there was no address to where the payment had to be made,
0:56:39 > 0:56:42there was just a telephone number,
0:56:42 > 0:56:45and our experience of telephone numbers is very bad.
0:56:45 > 0:56:50He gave me the details today and I paid within ten minutes.
0:56:51 > 0:56:55It's a much better outcome than the sheriffs anticipated.
0:56:57 > 0:57:02That went very well. We were basically about to leave because we couldn't get an answer.
0:57:02 > 0:57:05But he did pay fairly quickly.
0:57:05 > 0:57:08He was a bit awkward, as some people tend to be.
0:57:08 > 0:57:11We showed him ID when he pulled up on his driveway
0:57:11 > 0:57:13but then he was wanting to see it again.
0:57:13 > 0:57:16He didn't want to sign the receipt, either.
0:57:16 > 0:57:20It doesn't matter to us, we've got the payment. So job done.
0:57:20 > 0:57:23And that means the tenant whose property went missing
0:57:23 > 0:57:27will get the money the court said they were owed.