0:00:02 > 0:00:05- Meet the sheriffs. - My name's Mr Grix, my colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:00:05 > 0:00:06It's to do with a High Court order.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08They work for the High Court.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12And if it says you're owed money, it's their job to go and get it.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16I'm here for £6,072.18.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18They can demand payment on the spot...
0:00:18 > 0:00:20I'm here for the full balance.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23- How're you going to pay it? - ..or remove assets instead.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26The car will be going unless you can pay it.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29You'll have a week to pay in full before it gets sold at auction.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33Obstructing their work can be a criminal offence.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34I wouldn't do that if I were you.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36The door needs to stay open.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Every year in England and Wales,
0:00:40 > 0:00:45unpaid debts totalling more than £80 million are recovered by the sheriffs.
0:00:48 > 0:00:55Coming up - Rob Gallon took his car in for a repair and hasn't seen it since.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56The car's very important.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59It's a big part of my life, it's a hell of a big part of my life.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02He's now owed thousands of pounds.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04But will the sheriffs be able to get it?
0:01:04 > 0:01:07- Can you keep it shut, please? - I've got every legal right.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10- Diligent search, they call it. - No, you can't.- Yes, I can.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14An airline hasn't paid compensation it owes to a passenger.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18His family were each entitled to 600 euros, but, unfortunately, there was
0:01:18 > 0:01:19no response.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Now the sheriffs are on the case.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Are you going to come and open the door?
0:01:24 > 0:01:30And Lawrence puts the squeeze on a finance company which hasn't paid its rent.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33You had a turnover - last time you submitted books - of 1.8 million,
0:01:33 > 0:01:36so I can't believe that you can't come up with £16,000.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45Today, sheriff Craig Wild is flying solo without his trusted partner,
0:01:45 > 0:01:50Tommy Coyle. He's going to visit the director of a car garage,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53specialising in engine refurbishments.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57We're off to go and see Nitin Kareer
0:01:57 > 0:02:04in the centre of Birmingham. It's to do with a car, just over £6,000.
0:02:04 > 0:02:09It all stems from a dispute over the repair of a 4x4, a Mitsubishi L200
0:02:09 > 0:02:14owned by Rob Gallon, who needs an off-road vehicle for work.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17Good boy. We install water mains and water services,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20it's a family-run business
0:02:20 > 0:02:25and it does require going off onto sites where I have to go off-road,
0:02:25 > 0:02:29across fields. My personal life, I do some shooting,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31so the Mitsubishi L200 was absolutely perfect.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35But when the turbo failed, causing piston damage,
0:02:35 > 0:02:40Rob decided to get the engine replaced and started looking for a garage to
0:02:40 > 0:02:43- do the work.- Quality Engine Services from Birmingham,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46sounded like a company that knew what they were doing.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51I did explain to the guy that I would prefer another engine in the
0:02:51 > 0:02:53car and not to rebuild the one that I've got.
0:02:53 > 0:02:58And he convinced me that he was the one to put this car right.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00The man he dealt with called himself Nick.
0:03:00 > 0:03:06A week later, the repair was complete and Rob went to take a look.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Started it up and it didn't sound right.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11And he said, "Oh, it just needs running in."
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Anyway, I drove the car home, down the motorway...
0:03:14 > 0:03:19Half a mile away from home it broke down and spilt all the oil all over the road.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23After handing over £2,000, Rob wasn't best pleased,
0:03:23 > 0:03:27especially when he inspected the engine and found it was still the
0:03:27 > 0:03:32same one. Nick was apologetic and took the car back for a second time.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36The car, again, was supposed to be in the garage for no more than seven days.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42I contacted Nick after nine days and he said they were having a few
0:03:42 > 0:03:45problems with a few of the belts and the auxiliaries,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48it should be ready for the weekend.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53I rang again at the weekend and it was Monday it was going to be finished,
0:03:53 > 0:03:57and then I rang on Monday and it would be Wednesday, and it just continued
0:03:57 > 0:03:58on and on and on.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04For weeks, Rob chased it up, but still no car.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06He told me that he wasn't the big boss,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09that he'd have to speak to the big boss to get things sorted.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13He gave me three different names, with three different numbers,
0:04:13 > 0:04:17which, speaking to him on the phone, I know is the same guy,
0:04:17 > 0:04:18I know it's this Nick.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21But some of Nick's reasons for the delay were difficult to
0:04:21 > 0:04:23argue with.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26He can't do anything for me at the minute because his wife had died
0:04:26 > 0:04:30over the last two weeks and that's why the car hadn't been
0:04:30 > 0:04:32delivered back.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34So Rob gave him some time.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36But as weeks became months,
0:04:36 > 0:04:40he got increasingly worried he was never going to get the car back.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44And it wasn't just about the money. It also had sentimental value.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50I owned a Mitsubishi L200 prior to this one that I had
0:04:50 > 0:04:55an accident in, in 2008, and it saved my life.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58If I was in any other vehicle, I wouldn't be here today.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02And I didn't drive from 2008 to 2012,
0:05:02 > 0:05:06and my wife went and bought me this L200 to get me back out on the road,
0:05:06 > 0:05:10get me driving again. So the car is very important.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13It's a big part of my life, it's a hell of a big part of my life.
0:05:13 > 0:05:14That was the vehicle that got me back on track,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17it started getting our life back together.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21As Rob's hopes of ever seeing his beloved car again faded,
0:05:21 > 0:05:23he began to get desperate.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27I contacted Staffordshire Police and West Midlands Police a number of
0:05:27 > 0:05:31times to see if they would accompany me to the garage in Birmingham,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34so as I could recover my vehicle.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37At this point I was told by the police there was nothing they can do
0:05:37 > 0:05:40because this is a civil matter,
0:05:40 > 0:05:45and unless Nick hands over the keys to that car,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48I legally cannot take that car out of that garage, or else I'll be
0:05:48 > 0:05:49charged with theft.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54Eventually, the garage offered to sell his car on and Rob reluctantly agreed,
0:05:54 > 0:05:57thinking it was the only way out.
0:05:57 > 0:05:58But he never received any money,
0:05:58 > 0:06:03apart from a refund of the £2,000 he'd already spent on the repair.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06His bank statement revealed the money came from
0:06:06 > 0:06:09Rocco Motor Solutions Limited.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Presuming this to be the company behind the trading name
0:06:12 > 0:06:13Quality Engine Services,
0:06:13 > 0:06:18Rob took its director, Nitin Kareer, to court for the value of the car.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22My initial thoughts were, "I can't wait to get this guy in court," but
0:06:22 > 0:06:26that never happened because he never responded to any letter or any
0:06:26 > 0:06:29correspondence from the courts at all.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34Rob was awarded a County Court judgment in his favour by default,
0:06:34 > 0:06:39and when Mr Kareer didn't pay it, put the matter in the hands of the sheriffs.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41They're most certainly my last hope.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46I don't think there's any other way that I can get this sorted.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48I don't know any other way that I can get it resolved.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52At the end of the day, you need back what's yours.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56I work hard to make that sort of money,
0:06:56 > 0:06:58it's not that I can just give it away.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08In Birmingham, Craig is approaching the garage.
0:07:08 > 0:07:14He's hopeful there'll be plenty of assets that can be removed if payment isn't forthcoming.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16There's going to be sort of other vehicles or,
0:07:16 > 0:07:21you know, lifts or mechanical tools of that nature.
0:07:24 > 0:07:25There it is, over there.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31Craig parks up opposite the premises and checks the paperwork.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35A potential pitfall catches his eye.
0:07:35 > 0:07:40The claimant has actually sued the actual individual, as opposed to a
0:07:40 > 0:07:44limited company, so if he does trade from here as a limited company,
0:07:44 > 0:07:47and he can provide evidence of that, then we're a bit stuffed.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49We'll go and find out now.
0:07:49 > 0:07:54There's no name above the door and no mention of Quality Engine Services.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56But that's no concern to Craig.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00There's only one name on his writ, a Mr Nitin Kareer,
0:08:00 > 0:08:02and that's who he needs to find.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Hello. Is the boss about?
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Can he be contacted at all?
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Is it a Nitin Kareer or something?
0:08:13 > 0:08:16If you can get him on the phone, mate, I'll have a chat with him.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19I'm Mr Wild from the High Court.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23While the staff member goes off to phone the boss,
0:08:23 > 0:08:27Craig is pleased to have verification that this is indeed the
0:08:27 > 0:08:31- debtor's business.- He's confirmed that our guy is the boss.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35It just depends what, who owns the assets here,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38whether it's him personally or whether it's a limited company.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- We'll see how it goes. - A few minutes later,
0:08:41 > 0:08:44the man returns and says the boss is on his way.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46- He's coming down. - Oh, he's coming down.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Yeah, yeah.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54There's so far no indication of whether Mr Kareer is planning to
0:08:54 > 0:08:59pay, but if he isn't, then Craig's best hope of persuading him to do so
0:08:59 > 0:09:02will be threatening to remove his assets.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05The problem is, anything here owned by his company, rather than by him
0:09:05 > 0:09:08personally, would be off limits.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12So while he waits for him to arrive, Craig turns detective.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14I'm still going to try and look around the place,
0:09:14 > 0:09:18try and get some evidence that our guy, as an individual, trades from
0:09:18 > 0:09:20here, as opposed to his company.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25And it doesn't take long before he stumbles across something of interest.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Not one, not two, not three,
0:09:28 > 0:09:32not four, not five, not six,
0:09:32 > 0:09:34but seven,
0:09:34 > 0:09:36seven penalty charge notices.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41The evidence seems to suggest the director is not keen to pay his debts.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Worse still, as Craig carries on searching,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47he discovers exactly what he was afraid of.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50I've located some of the invoices that they used for recent sort of
0:09:50 > 0:09:53parts and it's all in the name of his limited company -
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Rocco Motor Solutions Limited.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57So, unfortunately, it's looking like our
0:09:57 > 0:10:02guy trades under a limited company here, so not as an individual.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04It's bad news for Craig,
0:10:04 > 0:10:08as it looks like he'll need to persuade the debtor to pay up
0:10:08 > 0:10:11without having any leverage to negotiate with.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Mr Kareer hasn't shown up yet either, and soon,
0:10:14 > 0:10:17one of the mechanics hands Craig a phone.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Who's this? Nitin, yeah?
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Yash?
0:10:23 > 0:10:25I'm trying to get in contact with Nitin.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28It's an outstanding High Court writ.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31It's not Mr Kareer on the phone,
0:10:31 > 0:10:35so Craig can't go into the case details unless they are authorised
0:10:35 > 0:10:36by the defendant to do so.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40Craig emphasises that someone, preferably Mr Kareer,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43needs to come to the garage to sort it out.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46And soon, a man arrives.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- Can you come outside?- I'm not coming outside, I'm waiting here,
0:10:48 > 0:10:52- I'll have a discussion with you in the office, yeah.- Yeah, come inside my office.- Yeah, yeah.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- What's up, mate?- I don't know, mate. I'll find out.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- And what relation are you to Nitin? - I'm his friend.- You're his friend?
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- Yeah.- Right. My name's Mr Wild.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Have you been sent down to sort this situation out?
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- Which situation? - Well, the one they phoned you about.
0:11:07 > 0:11:13- What?- I'm here under a High Court writ for a balance outstanding of £6,072.18.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- The claimant is a Mr Robert Gallon. - Oh, he's took us to court?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- That's right.- I don't know nothing about it.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22I have overtook from Nitin, and we are going to only just do parts,
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- we've got nothing else to do. - Right.- Or anything like that.
0:11:25 > 0:11:30Despite a staff member telling Craig that Nitin Kareer was the boss,
0:11:30 > 0:11:35this man is claiming HE'S in charge and Nitin no longer works here.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38If so, then Craig will have difficulty enforcing the debt.
0:11:38 > 0:11:43But later, he finds more clues which cast doubt on the man's story.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46I've got invoices proving that he's trading from here.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48I'll always try and help people out.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51But what I don't like being is being mugged off, do you know what I mean?
0:12:01 > 0:12:04In the capital, Lawrence and Kev are slogging through the mid-morning
0:12:04 > 0:12:08traffic on their way to collect another unpaid debt.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11We're in central London, actually, just near Earls Court.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14We're going to Berkeley Credit & Guarantee Limited.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17I think it's some sort of finance company.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21They owe £16,251.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Berkeley Credit & Guarantee Limited was taken to court by their landlord
0:12:28 > 0:12:31for unpaid rent.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35The company defended the case in court, but lost, and was ordered to
0:12:35 > 0:12:37pay their debt plus costs.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Six months later, it still hasn't done so.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43Now it's down to the sheriffs to collect.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44It's a tough one to call, this.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47It's going to be in an office, we're in the middle of London.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50At a guess, you'd say they're not going to have too many assets.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53It's quite a lot of money we're after as well, but...
0:12:53 > 0:12:55ever hopeful.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57There it is, there.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- Yeah.- It looks like one of these money express places.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Well, at least there should be some cash on site.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Whether it'll stretch to £16,000 is another matter.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10The sheriffs are about to find out.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23Morning, I'm looking for Berkeley Credit & Guarantee Limited.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Berkeley Credit & Guarantee Limited.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30Bizarrely, despite branding everywhere which suggests they're in the right place,
0:13:30 > 0:13:34the cashier says that's not who he works for.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Is there anyone here from them, then?
0:13:36 > 0:13:39No? This is their registered office.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42The man thinks it isn't, so Lawrence sets him straight.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44There you are, it says so on this door.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46It says there on the door.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49It does.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51So, have you got contact with them upstairs?
0:13:51 > 0:13:53There's no buzzer, no intercom?
0:13:53 > 0:13:56Lawrence tries a different tack.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59I've got a number on the file, um...
0:13:59 > 0:14:01So I'm going to give it a ring.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03See if it goes through to them.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07But that doesn't get him anywhere either.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Sounds like it's a non-existent number.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Do you want to just go and ask them next-door for us, mate?
0:14:13 > 0:14:15No, it's not looking good at the moment.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17This chap says he's only been here two months,
0:14:17 > 0:14:21but in all that time, he's never seen anybody in or out of the offices.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24As you look through the door, you can just see a mop and a bucket,
0:14:24 > 0:14:27and I very much doubt we'd actually find anything here.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30So if Kev comes back with a negative as well, I'll just leave paperwork,
0:14:30 > 0:14:34I'll just slide it under the door and we'll see what happens.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37But, in fact, Kev comes back with a new lead.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Give this number a ring, Lawrence.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- Oh, you've got another number.- Yeah.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44This woman should be something to do with them, apparently.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Hello there. My name's Mr Grix, I'm an enforcement agent.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52I'm looking for Berkeley Credit & Guarantee Limited.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54I've been told, been given your number.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58He is indeed through to someone who works for the debtor.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01So, what are you to do with the company?
0:15:01 > 0:15:03You're an administrator.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07Right, well, I'm basically here with a High Court writ,
0:15:07 > 0:15:09which orders me to take control of the goods of the company which can
0:15:09 > 0:15:11be sold at auction to clear a debt.
0:15:13 > 0:15:19The total outstanding at the moment is £16,251.96.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21And as this is commercial premises,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24I can force entry with a locksmith if necessary...
0:15:25 > 0:15:28..to search for company assets and remove them.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32The administrator says she'll need to talk to someone else, so Lawrence
0:15:32 > 0:15:35makes sure she understands the urgency of the situation.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38They need to ring me back within the next ten minutes or I'll be getting
0:15:38 > 0:15:40a locksmith and forcing entry.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42It seems to do the trick.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Yeah, if somebody wants to come here and pay in cash, yes, that's fine.
0:15:47 > 0:15:48Right, bye-bye.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52She's asked for half an hour to get it sorted.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56So, who knows?
0:15:56 > 0:15:59From what had seemed like a bit of a dead-end,
0:15:59 > 0:16:01suddenly this job's looking up.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05A few minutes later, the cashier beckons Lawrence over.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08A call from head office and...
0:16:08 > 0:16:11have your number, please?
0:16:11 > 0:16:13Whose head office is this, yours?
0:16:13 > 0:16:15Or the company I'm looking for?
0:16:15 > 0:16:19Once again, communication is difficult.
0:16:19 > 0:16:20Oh, whatever.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23One way or another, though, head office does get through.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26MOBILE RINGS
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Hello, Mr Grix speaking.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Hello, there. No, it needs to be full payment,
0:16:33 > 0:16:37I can't believe that a company such as yourselves can't rustle up £16,000,
0:16:37 > 0:16:38to be honest.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43Well, you had a turnover - last time you submitted books - of £1.8 million.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47So I can't believe that you can't come up with £16,000.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50I know what you're saying, it's short notice, but it's not short notice
0:16:50 > 0:16:53because it's been all through the County Court.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58We've sent a notice of enforcement, there's been plenty of paperwork to do with this, but somebody's either
0:16:58 > 0:17:03ignored it or buried their heads in the sand and it's now crunch day.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05OK.
0:17:05 > 0:17:06Bye-bye.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11She's spoken to somebody and they can pay half the money now
0:17:11 > 0:17:13and the balance on Friday.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16But at the moment, I've said no to that because they've managed to come
0:17:16 > 0:17:19up with half the money very, very quickly,
0:17:19 > 0:17:23so I don't see how a company with that sort of turnover could fail to
0:17:23 > 0:17:25come up with £16,000.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28So I'm playing hardball at the moment, I've said no,
0:17:28 > 0:17:31and we'll see what she comes back with in half an hour.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35In fact, he only has to wait a few minutes for an improved offer.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37MOBILE RINGS
0:17:37 > 0:17:38Hello, Mr Grix speaking.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42It's not for the full amount, but it's enough.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Yeah, if you make that by immediate payment and just give me a buzz when
0:17:46 > 0:17:49it's done. And providing the balance hits the account by close of
0:17:49 > 0:17:52business Friday, then that will be the matter dealt with.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55OK, thanks. Bye-bye.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00They're going to make £10,000 payment in the next couple of minutes
0:18:00 > 0:18:02and then the balance on Friday.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04It's Wednesday, so I can live with that.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08Lawrence soon gets confirmation that the first payment's been made...
0:18:08 > 0:18:12- £10,000 is in. - ..leaves a receipt...
0:18:12 > 0:18:15They know I'm leaving it with you. I'm presuming somebody will come and collect it at some point.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18..and is on his way, pleasantly surprised.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21They offered half the debt initially.
0:18:21 > 0:18:22I insisted on full payment.
0:18:22 > 0:18:27They came back sort of ten minutes later with an offer of £10,000 and,
0:18:27 > 0:18:31really, in the situation where I hadn't even got into the office, and
0:18:31 > 0:18:33it looks like they don't even use the office,
0:18:33 > 0:18:36so I'd have to use locksmiths to get in,
0:18:36 > 0:18:38I think that's a pretty good result, really.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41So, £10,000 today by transfer,
0:18:41 > 0:18:44which they did very quickly, and I've no doubt that the other just
0:18:44 > 0:18:47over £6,000 will be transferred in on Friday.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51Berkeley Credit & Guarantee Limited later made the second payment,
0:18:51 > 0:18:54and their landlord finally got the money they were owed.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05In Birmingham, Craig's chasing more than £6,000 at a garage.
0:19:05 > 0:19:10A customer, Rob Gallon, put his car in for repair but never got it back.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13When he first arrived, Craig thought he had confirmed that the man he's
0:19:13 > 0:19:15looking for is in charge here.
0:19:15 > 0:19:16Is the boss about?
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Is it a Nitin Kareer or something?
0:19:21 > 0:19:23- Come inside.- Yeah, yeah.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26But this man has since arrived, saying he's the boss and he's
0:19:26 > 0:19:29called Mr Ali.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33I have overtook from Nitin and we are just going to do parts.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36And now someone else is on the phone.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- Is that Nitin?- It's Ash.
0:19:39 > 0:19:40- This is Ash?- Yeah.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44Hello, Ash. You're taking over the premises, yeah, to sell parts?
0:19:46 > 0:19:50Ash says he's Nitin's cousin and, along with Mr Ali, took over the
0:19:50 > 0:19:52business six months ago.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56But as Craig flicks through the paperwork on the desk,
0:19:56 > 0:19:59he finds Nitin Kareer's name is all over it.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03- Old letters?- Yeah, old letters, they're old letters.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- How many other letters have they got?- They are old letters.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08We haven't got any new letters coming in here.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10- That's for the water.- That's old.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12It's for the water, isn't it?
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Their story isn't adding up.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19Everything I'm looking at now at the moment is obviously
0:20:19 > 0:20:21your cousin's details on it.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25I know, I appreciate you're saying he's not, but if you're going to
0:20:25 > 0:20:28take over a premises, you'd change the water, you'd change the gas,
0:20:28 > 0:20:31you'd change the electric as a matter of course, wouldn't you?
0:20:31 > 0:20:37Ash, I'm looking at an invoice here, 27th of September, addressed to your cousin's company.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40That isn't April, is it? You took over in April,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43he shouldn't even be trading from here. Yet, I've got invoices
0:20:43 > 0:20:46proving that he's trading from here.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Although he still hasn't got any proof there are assets here in the
0:20:49 > 0:20:50debtor's name personally,
0:20:50 > 0:20:54he has at least got the people he's dealing with on the back foot.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58Perhaps that'll be enough to ramp up the pressure and get a payment.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00You need to get your cousin,
0:21:00 > 0:21:03talk to me and then hopefully I can try and help him out.
0:21:03 > 0:21:04I'll always try and help people out,
0:21:04 > 0:21:07but what I don't like being is being mugged off. Do you know what I mean?
0:21:07 > 0:21:11It appears without his right-hand man, Tommy, by his side,
0:21:11 > 0:21:16Craig's taking on both roles of good cop and bad cop.
0:21:16 > 0:21:17He's going to call me.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21While Craig waits to finally hear from Mr Kareer,
0:21:21 > 0:21:23he decides to do a bit more investigating.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27I've got every legal right.
0:21:27 > 0:21:28Legal rights for what?
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- Diligent search, they call it. - No, you can't.- Yes, I can.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- No, you can't.- Yes, I can.- Can't. - Yes, I can.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39Craig does have the law on his side, and any attempts to stop his
0:21:39 > 0:21:42diligent search could quickly become a matter for the police.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45Luckily, the situation calms down,
0:21:45 > 0:21:50Mr Ali let's Craig carry on, before again handing him his phone.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Is he on the phone, is he?
0:21:52 > 0:21:54But he is NOT the elusive Mr Kareer.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57Once more, it's his cousin, Ash.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59Hiya, Ash.
0:21:59 > 0:22:04He's still saying the debt's got nothing to do with him and he doesn't want to pay.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08As I explained, Ash, and as I explained to your business partner here, Mr Ali,
0:22:08 > 0:22:11I'm here with a court order for six grand, mate, and my job today is
0:22:11 > 0:22:14to collect that money under the terms of the High Court writ of control.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Because money talks, that's the thing.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21Finally, Craig's persuasive techniques land on target.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Perhaps realising that he isn't going to go away,
0:22:24 > 0:22:26Ash says he owes his cousin some money.
0:22:26 > 0:22:31He says he's willing to pay part of the debt for him and offers £1,000.
0:22:31 > 0:22:36Yeah, I'll make a phone call first, yeah, and I'll come back to you.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40If that's acceptable, then I'll leave a letter here for your cousin,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43but he has to deal with it. This is a personal liability.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46He needs to get in contact with our office and then he can sort an
0:22:46 > 0:22:50arrangement out to pay the balance off over a period of time, if he can't pay it in one go.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54Craig checks with his office, and the offer is accepted.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59Mr Ali makes the payment on a card, and Craig issues a receipt, along
0:22:59 > 0:23:03with the letter for Mr Kareer, asking him to contact the sheriffs
0:23:03 > 0:23:05to pay the remainder of the debt.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09- Thank you very much.- Sorry for your...- No problem at all.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11It's not the perfect outcome, but given that neither the
0:23:11 > 0:23:15debtor nor any sign of his assets were present,
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Craig's satisfied he's done the best he can.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21All in all, I think it's a good result for the claimant at the moment.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24I never met the debtor, claims not to be trading from here at all.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Most of the assets there are in the limited company name,
0:23:27 > 0:23:29not personal to our guy.
0:23:29 > 0:23:34However, took the £1,000 and best result we could get out of that.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37Back in Staffordshire,
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Rob Gallon is disappointed that the sheriffs weren't able to recover the
0:23:41 > 0:23:46full amount. But is at least glad to see things moving in the right direction.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50It's something I've been fighting this guy for for well over 12 months.
0:23:50 > 0:23:51We have had some luck.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55We've recovered £1,000, so we are getting somewhere with it.
0:24:00 > 0:24:06It's 10:30 in the morning and enforcement agents Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally are
0:24:06 > 0:24:09in West London. They're on their way to enforce an unpaid debt,
0:24:09 > 0:24:12owed by a large international company.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14We are in Brentford.
0:24:14 > 0:24:19We're going to Pakistan International Airlines Corporation.
0:24:19 > 0:24:25They owe us £1,088, this is relating to a delayed flight,
0:24:25 > 0:24:27so it's compensation.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Since an EU ruling came into force in 2005,
0:24:31 > 0:24:35flight delay compensation has provided a steady stream of work for
0:24:35 > 0:24:37the sheriffs. Under the rules,
0:24:37 > 0:24:41passengers on delayed flights in and out of the UK could be entitled to
0:24:41 > 0:24:47compensation of up to 600 euros, and it's estimated around 900,000
0:24:47 > 0:24:50passengers are eligible every year.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53But all too often, airlines are reluctant to pay out.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57Nicholas Parkinson is the solicitor acting on behalf of today's claimant.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00There are some airlines that are good at paying claims.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03Unfortunately, with other airlines, it's very much the opposite.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07They've been fighting these claims ferociously for several years.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11They simply don't like the idea of paying people compensation.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15That means many eligible passengers end up having to take the airlines
0:25:15 > 0:25:19to court and ultimately, engaging the sheriffs.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24Lawrence and Kev's job today is on behalf of a Mr Uzman Rafique.
0:25:24 > 0:25:29Mr Rafique and his family flew from London Heathrow to Lahore Airport in
0:25:29 > 0:25:34Pakistan. Their flight was delayed by over five hours, so Mr Rafique
0:25:34 > 0:25:38and his family were each entitled to 600 euros compensation.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42Several letters were sent chasing for payments,
0:25:42 > 0:25:44but, unfortunately, there was no response.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48So the solicitors went to court and won a CCJ,
0:25:48 > 0:25:50which still hasn't been paid.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55Now it's down to Lawrence and Kev to get the £1,088 Mr Rafique's owed.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02Kev is feeling confident.
0:26:02 > 0:26:07We're heading to their offices now, and I can't see this being a problem.
0:26:08 > 0:26:1020 minutes, paid...
0:26:12 > 0:26:13..out we go.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18They locate the block where Pakistan International Airlines has its UK
0:26:18 > 0:26:20office and head in.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Here we are, we're in anyway.
0:26:23 > 0:26:28- All right, mate.- But their attempt to breeze past security doesn't go unnoticed.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33- Go on, you go and sign in for us, then.- I'll sign in, yeah.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35HE KNOCKS ON DOOR
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Are you going to come and open the door?
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Our cameraman's also asked to leave.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Inside, the sheriffs show the airline their writ and demand payment.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52Sadly, Kev's prediction of being out in 20 minutes doesn't come good.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55But when he does make an appearance after half an hour,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58it sounds like things are going more or less to plan.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Literally come to get the card machine, they're going to pay.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04They're struggling to find the debt and the judgment, but they know they've got to
0:27:04 > 0:27:06pay it, so... It's such a minimal amount,
0:27:06 > 0:27:10they're going to get rid of us and pay that and then sort the details out later.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15That is exactly what happens, and the sheriffs are soon heading back to the van.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18That went as well as could be expected, really.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22Payment in less than an hour, walked straight past the security guard,
0:27:22 > 0:27:25who wasn't too happy and came and sort of chased us down.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27So Kev had to go and sign us in,
0:27:27 > 0:27:31but the airline company themselves just let me straight in.
0:27:31 > 0:27:32They phoned up their boss,
0:27:32 > 0:27:36who's not in the office today, and he got a bit shirty with me at one
0:27:36 > 0:27:38point, "I haven't had this, I haven't had that,"
0:27:38 > 0:27:42but, basically, I talked him down and they paid on a card.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46It's a scenario the sheriffs have seen time and time again.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50After months of fighting or brushing off a compensation claim,
0:27:50 > 0:27:53a brief visit by the sheriffs is suddenly enough to make them reach
0:27:53 > 0:27:54for their wallets.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00Mr Rafique has finally got the money he's legally entitled to.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04His solicitor's delighted and hopes it sends out a clear message.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07We were pleased that we got the result we needed for ourselves,
0:28:07 > 0:28:11for our client and also to, you know,
0:28:11 > 0:28:14set an example as such to the airline to let them know, you know,
0:28:14 > 0:28:16there's nowhere to hide.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20These are court orders, you must pay these, and hopefully in the future,
0:28:20 > 0:28:22this won't be a repeat occurrence.