0:00:02 > 0:00:04- Meet the sheriffs.- My name's Mr Grix. My colleague and I
0:00:04 > 0:00:06- are enforcement agents. - It's to do with a High Court order.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10They work for the High Court, and if it says you're owed money,
0:00:10 > 0:00:12it'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 are 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 > 0:00:35I wouldn't do that if I were you.
0:00:35 > 0:00:36The door needs to stay open.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Every year in England and Wales,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43unpaid debts totalling more than £80 million
0:00:43 > 0:00:45are recovered by the sheriffs.
0:00:48 > 0:00:53Coming up, a locksmith's done a botched job on Pete Mullany's door.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56The mechanism was the wrong one.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58The whole frame and everything was damaged.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00It was a bit of a disaster.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03The boss of the company responsible doesn't want to cooperate.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07But can Ken change his mind?
0:01:07 > 0:01:10That's what I like to see, plenty of stock in the shop.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13The Sheriffs take on a group of squatters in the heart
0:01:13 > 0:01:15of central London.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20SHOUTING Devil worship! Devil worship!
0:01:20 > 0:01:24In 30 minutes' time, you are going to be leaving this property.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27A steel company owes money to a former employee.
0:01:27 > 0:01:32When Dean didn't pay the final wage, I found it more than unfair.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35So Tommy and Craig go looking for the boss.
0:01:37 > 0:01:38Is it him?
0:01:38 > 0:01:41And Lawrence puts the squeeze on a finance company
0:01:41 > 0:01:43which hasn't paid its rent.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47You had a turnover... Last time you submitted books of 1.8 million.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50So I can't believe that you can't come up with £16,000.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57This morning, enforcement agent Ken Warby
0:01:57 > 0:02:00is in his usual North London patch.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04He's heading to a shop in Barnet, in pursuit of an unpaid debt.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08On the face of it, it looks like a run-of-the-mill job,
0:02:08 > 0:02:10but he's about to be reminded
0:02:10 > 0:02:12that it takes some people longer than others
0:02:12 > 0:02:16to come to terms with the realities of High Court enforcement.
0:02:16 > 0:02:21We are going to visit a company called All Service For You.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23I believe they're a security company.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28To be precise, All Service For You Ltd
0:02:28 > 0:02:30is a locksmiths,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33and their debt of more than £2,000 all began
0:02:33 > 0:02:35with a surprisingly simple problem -
0:02:35 > 0:02:37a broken lock on the front door
0:02:37 > 0:02:40of Pete Mullany's family home in Stockport.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42The locks had probably been in there 20 years,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45and they just needed replacing.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48Pete and his wife called around locksmiths for quotes,
0:02:48 > 0:02:50before settling on All Service For You,
0:02:50 > 0:02:52thinking it was a local company.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56It wasn't until we found out a little bit further on in the process
0:02:56 > 0:02:59that the company was based in London,
0:02:59 > 0:03:03and they'd outsourced it to local contractors to pick up the deal.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05So it wasn't kind of what we were hoping for.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08And when a workman came to fix the lock,
0:03:08 > 0:03:10it didn't exactly go as planned.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14It's a composite door with its own unique locking mechanism,
0:03:14 > 0:03:18and the mechanism that he put in was the wrong one,
0:03:18 > 0:03:20so as a result, there was loads of holes everywhere,
0:03:20 > 0:03:22which had been filled in with Polyfilla.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24The door was slightly damaged, as well,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27and at the bottom, didn't shut properly.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29You could actually see the light coming through,
0:03:29 > 0:03:31the wind blowing through into the hallway.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34So all told, it was a bit of a disaster.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36When the Mullanys tried to complain,
0:03:36 > 0:03:40calls and messages went unanswered, and in the end, they just gave up,
0:03:40 > 0:03:45until several months later, when events spurred Pete into action.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47I went to slam the door and the actual splinter
0:03:47 > 0:03:48started to come away,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51and that's when I realised that this job wasn't good enough.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54I checked the original invoice that we got for the locks.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58They'd put one-year warranty, so I thought I was within that one year,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01so still within my rights to do something about it.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05So I contacted them, sent all the pictures again,
0:04:05 > 0:04:07and as usual, they never got back.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11Pete decided he wasn't going to take it lying down,
0:04:11 > 0:04:14and following guidance given him by Citizens' Advice,
0:04:14 > 0:04:15got a second opinion.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18I contacted a local master locksmith.
0:04:18 > 0:04:19It was him who pointed out
0:04:19 > 0:04:22that the whole doorframe and everything was damaged,
0:04:22 > 0:04:24and suddenly, it ramped up from just replacing the locks
0:04:24 > 0:04:27to actually the whole door and the whole frame.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Pete made a claim against All Service For You Ltd
0:04:31 > 0:04:32through the County Courts,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35and when they didn't offer a defence, he won a default judgment.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39But weeks down the line, there's still no sign of his money.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43I've still not received any correspondence from the defendant
0:04:43 > 0:04:45as to whether he's paying this money,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48so I'm getting pretty desperate and I'm just thinking,
0:04:48 > 0:04:49"What do I need to do?"
0:04:49 > 0:04:52More than anything, we need to get that door sorted.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Three daughters in the house,
0:04:54 > 0:04:57my constant fear is that someone could break that door down.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59This has been a mega process,
0:04:59 > 0:05:03and it just feels like if it falls at the last step,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05I'll be absolutely devastated.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13In Barnet, Ken's on his way to the shop
0:05:13 > 0:05:17where All Service For You are thought to trade.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Since Pete enlisted the sheriffs' help to get his money back,
0:05:20 > 0:05:24there have been further legal developments, but Ken is undeterred.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28I know that there was an application...
0:05:30 > 0:05:32..to get the judgment set aside,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35which has recently been thrown out of court,
0:05:35 > 0:05:38so we are good to go on it.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41As he reaches the address,
0:05:41 > 0:05:43it seems the name of the shop doesn't quite match
0:05:43 > 0:05:45the name on his writ.
0:05:45 > 0:05:4837, All Time Security...
0:05:48 > 0:05:51But it's probably just a trading name for the same business,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54and Ken likes what he sees.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57Walk straight in the shop front, that should be easy enough.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00Time for Ken to discover whether the company's planning
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- to finally pay up for Pete's door. - Hello.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05My name is Mr Warby.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11This is regarding a judgment from an individual called Mr Pete Mullany.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12I think you know about it,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15because I think you tried to get the judgment set aside.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20OK. And what was the outcome?
0:06:20 > 0:06:22The sheriffs are used to arguing with people
0:06:22 > 0:06:24who think their cases are still ongoing,
0:06:24 > 0:06:27but as this man's appeal was rejected yesterday,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30he should know exactly where he stands.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- Yes.- So far, so good.
0:06:40 > 0:06:41Or maybe not.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44The situation's this...
0:06:44 > 0:06:46These now have a High Court judgment against you,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48so I'm here for the full balance.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52After costs, it's now £2,311, that's what I'm here for.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02The man now says he's willing to pay the original judgment debt,
0:07:02 > 0:07:04without costs and fees,
0:07:04 > 0:07:08but the time to pay this lower figure has long gone.
0:07:08 > 0:07:14The amount with Sheriffs' fees currently stands at £2,311.50.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20Yeah...
0:07:20 > 0:07:23At this point, our camera is asked to leave.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Inside, Ken attempts to explain to the manager
0:07:28 > 0:07:31that he needs to find more than two grand pretty quickly,
0:07:31 > 0:07:34or else goods will be removed from the shop.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38But the man doesn't like what he's hearing and closes the shutters,
0:07:38 > 0:07:40trapping Ken inside.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45Ken follows protocol and calls the police.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49For 25 minutes, the discussion continues behind closed doors,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52until eventually, the shutters reopen.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55The boss thinks he's found a loophole in Ken's paperwork
0:07:55 > 0:07:57and wants to show us.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16The address on the writ is the company's registered office,
0:08:16 > 0:08:19not here, where they are trading from.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Thinking he's onto a winner, the boss lets us back in.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25But he's barking up the wrong tree.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Sheriffs can attend anywhere the debtor resides
0:08:28 > 0:08:30or carries out a trade or business.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Yeah, we're instructed by the client to attend here,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35so that is an extension for the writ.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39To be here.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42The manager seems to think it's unreasonable for the claimant
0:08:42 > 0:08:44to want the money he's legally owed.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49Ken decides the easiest thing is to just wait for backup.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51I want it done amicably, OK? I want the police here,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54just so they can let you know, because you won't take it from me,
0:08:54 > 0:08:57that we are within our rights to be here,
0:08:57 > 0:08:58and that we can remove goods from here.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Maybe you'll have it from the police officer,
0:09:00 > 0:09:02and if he then can't convince you,
0:09:02 > 0:09:05I'll call up the van and we'll remove goods.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10Later, as he starts listing goods for potential removal...
0:09:10 > 0:09:12I can go wherever I want, mate.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15..Ken gets locked in again.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Using the County Courts to try to recover money you're owed
0:09:28 > 0:09:31isn't difficult. 1.5 million money claims
0:09:31 > 0:09:33are made every year in England and Wales,
0:09:33 > 0:09:37involving anything from faulty goods or poor workmanship
0:09:37 > 0:09:38to unpaid invoices.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43Claims can be filed by post or online for a small fee.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47Both parties in the case will be asked to submit evidence,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50and you may have to attend a court hearing.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51If you're successful,
0:09:51 > 0:09:56a County Court Judgment or CCJ will be issued against the debtor.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59And if they still don't pay, that's when you call the sheriffs.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05While most of their workload involves unpaid debts,
0:10:05 > 0:10:08High Court enforcement agents can also act in cases of unlawful
0:10:08 > 0:10:12occupation of land or property, commonly known as squatting.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16And early this morning, the sheriffs are gathering
0:10:16 > 0:10:21in a car park in Camden in central London to enforce one of these jobs.
0:10:21 > 0:10:26It's got a double gate roughly there. Yeah, a single gate there.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28The double gate is where we are going to go in.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Under the guidance of team leader Mark King, they are here to
0:10:31 > 0:10:34evict a group of squatters who've set up camp
0:10:34 > 0:10:35on a nearby plot of land.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37I'm not sure what it was originally,
0:10:37 > 0:10:40maybe a garden centre or something like that.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44I believe the people were allowed in to stay there, first off,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47but for whatever reason, the client now wants the land back.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50The squatters are thought to have been there for at least two years.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53The owner of the land has been unable to persuade them
0:10:53 > 0:10:57to leave peacefully and so now has obtained a writ of possession
0:10:57 > 0:11:01authorising the sheriffs to get the site back for him.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05We're looking at about 30, possibly 40 people in there.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Not sure until we get there, to be honest.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Could be that they have all gone. We will see when we get round there.
0:11:10 > 0:11:11Are you by gate three?
0:11:12 > 0:11:14Everybody ready, yeah?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- And once they are all in position... - Are we all set?
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- ..it is time to go in. - Yeah, let's go. All right.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32But before they rouse the occupants,
0:11:32 > 0:11:35they want to be sure they've got the whole ground covered.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37The tents are going to be over down the side there.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40So you go and sort it out, give us a shout once you're round there.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Once the site is secure,
0:11:42 > 0:11:46they issue the wake-up call that is every squatter's worst nightmare.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49- High Court writ enforcement! - High Court writ enforcement!
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- Time to wake up.- High Court enforcement.- Good morning, mate.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- High Court writ enforcement! - Are you all right?
0:11:54 > 0:11:56You need to pack your stuff up, you need to vacate, OK?
0:11:56 > 0:11:58Quick as you can, please. Thank you.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00The dazed occupants have been caught off-guard.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Pack your stuff up as quick as you can.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04And at first glance, it doesn't look like they are
0:12:04 > 0:12:06planning to cause any trouble.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08But the sheriffs aren't going to be letting their guard down
0:12:08 > 0:12:10until they know exactly what they are dealing with.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13- How many have we got, do you think? - I don't know yet.
0:12:13 > 0:12:14They are all over the place.
0:12:14 > 0:12:15Enforcement!
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Up in the attic on this bit.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20The site is littered with makeshift structures,
0:12:20 > 0:12:23so it is hard to know where people might be,
0:12:23 > 0:12:27and the last thing the sheriffs want is any surprises.
0:12:27 > 0:12:28Open the door, mate.
0:12:30 > 0:12:31- I'm packing up, brother. - All right, OK.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- If you can just leave the door open. - Yeah.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Yeah? This fella here is going to stay with you.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Just make sure that you are getting on with it, yeah?
0:12:39 > 0:12:43- How long do we have, brother? - Going to give you about an hour. OK?
0:12:43 > 0:12:45All right? Thank you.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49At first, it seems the squatters are cooperative, if a little eccentric.
0:12:54 > 0:12:55They are quite happy, most of them.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58They are sort of free spirits, aren't they, I suppose?
0:12:58 > 0:13:00I suppose that's what you would call them.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02But Mark might have spoken too soon,
0:13:02 > 0:13:06as one occupant seems to be dragging his heels.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Have you got all your stuff?
0:13:08 > 0:13:10I've got it here somewhere, but I'm not very happy about this.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Oh, I'm sorry that I've upset you, but get on with it.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14- Have you got a family at home?- Yeah.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16- Yeah?- They are all in bed at the moment.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- They are safe.- Yeah, just get on with it, mate.
0:13:18 > 0:13:19I said I will pack it up already,
0:13:19 > 0:13:20and I'm going to pick it up and leave.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Rather than standing around and arguing, can you actually...?
0:13:23 > 0:13:25I'm not arguing, I'm just telling you friendly.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28If you carry on, you will be removed from the site.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32No-one was expecting the squatters to be pleased, but the sheriffs
0:13:32 > 0:13:35need to be on the lookout for tempers running out of control.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37There's an element of wounded pride,
0:13:37 > 0:13:39so, you know, you can almost expect them to...
0:13:40 > 0:13:43..push back a little bit, but just how far?
0:13:43 > 0:13:45One man who has been living in a tent in the yard
0:13:45 > 0:13:47is refusing to pack his things.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49I know that this documentation is unlawful.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52I've studied law for three decades and I, unfortunately,
0:13:52 > 0:13:55know the entire legal system of your country
0:13:55 > 0:13:58is now in such gross fraud that we've stood away from it.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59Take a breath, take a breath.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02It's a High Court writ, OK? Stamped by the court.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04You want to exile me from the land that I've built for the last
0:14:04 > 0:14:07- three years, which we found abandoned...- It's not your land.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09- It doesn't belong to you. - It's God's.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13But a philosophical debate isn't on the sheriff's agenda.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15At 5.50,
0:14:15 > 0:14:17that's in 30 minutes' time, OK,
0:14:17 > 0:14:19you are going to be leaving this property.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22If you want to take your things with you, you need to start packing up.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25- You've got 30 minutes.- How do I live?- You've got 30 minutes.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29The sheriffs can use reasonable force if necessary,
0:14:29 > 0:14:31but it is a situation they would rather avoid,
0:14:31 > 0:14:35so Mark is hoping his ultimatum will have the desired effect.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38I've explained to him what he needs to do.
0:14:38 > 0:14:39He's not really listening,
0:14:39 > 0:14:42so I've given him 30 minutes to start to pack up.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45If he's starting to pack up within those 30 minutes, fine.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48We will see at 5.50 what happens.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53Later, can the sheriffs persuade the man to leave peacefully?
0:14:53 > 0:14:56The projected image that this man is sending to me
0:14:56 > 0:14:59is absolutely despicable. You know I read minds, don't you?
0:14:59 > 0:15:02And I read yours and it is not pleasant. Please take it away.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11Enforcement agents Craig Wilde and Tommy Coyle are in the van
0:15:11 > 0:15:13and on the motorway before the sun is up.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17They've got a High Court writ for more than £12,000 against
0:15:17 > 0:15:21a member of the public and they are on their way to his home address.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24It's early in the morning. Going to see Mr Jason Holdsworth.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28It is in relation to a boat that Mr Holdsworth sold on eBay,
0:15:28 > 0:15:30which wasn't apparently fit for purpose.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Mr Holdsworth sold the boat to Valerie Hull.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37She and her partner had their hearts set on owning a boat,
0:15:37 > 0:15:42and after months of deliberation, they decided to take the plunge.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46We had retired, it seemed a good idea to be able to go to
0:15:46 > 0:15:50the marina and have some leisure time on this boat.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52I'm not certain we will ever go out to sea on it,
0:15:52 > 0:15:54but it just was a nice way of relaxing
0:15:54 > 0:15:56and enjoying our retirement.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00When they found what they thought was a good deal online
0:16:00 > 0:16:03for a Crownline 250 CR, they leapt at the opportunity.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07The pictures of it were beautiful. It was in excellent condition.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Couldn't see any fault with it.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13And at £10,000, it seemed like a really good buy.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16The seller was Jason Holdsworth and he invited them
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- to his house to talk it over. - It was a very amenable chat.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24He was lively, polite, welcomed us into his home.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26But there was one problem - Mr Holdsworth said
0:16:26 > 0:16:29he needed a quick sale.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33He said that where it was moored, which was Cardiff Yacht Club,
0:16:33 > 0:16:39he was having to pay £150 a week for it to stay there.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42It was too far away to go and see it at short notice,
0:16:42 > 0:16:44so fearful of losing out,
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Valerie and her partner agreed a blind purchase.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52And the arrangement was the next day, just after nine o'clock,
0:16:52 > 0:16:55I would put the money into his bank account by bank transfer,
0:16:55 > 0:17:01and he would pay for having it delivered to Tewkesbury.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03But no sooner had Valerie stumped up the cash,
0:17:03 > 0:17:07Mr Holdsworth called to change the arrangement.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10An hour later, I got a phone call from Mr Holdsworth saying
0:17:10 > 0:17:14we couldn't have the boat Thursday, now it would be the following week.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17And we were a little bit perplexed because we thought in that
0:17:17 > 0:17:21time limit, we could have actually gone to Cardiff and looked at it.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23But we didn't see the point.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26I had already put the money in his bank account, so we just left it.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28The boat was delivered the following week,
0:17:28 > 0:17:32but Valerie was in for a shock. First, there was the delivery.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35The company that had towed it there
0:17:35 > 0:17:40asked for the fee for taking it and we said that was a part of the deal.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44It was a free tow. He went, "No, he hasn't paid us."
0:17:44 > 0:17:46And then there was the boat itself.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48It's damp, it's musty.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Inside the fridge, it was rusty.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53The front leather seats were actually torn.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56And the engine, in the engine bay, was rusty.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59There was every indication that it had gone underwater
0:17:59 > 0:18:01at some point in its life.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05I just said, "This is just not right."
0:18:05 > 0:18:10It didn't even have a propeller and it couldn't be put in the water.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12An engineer came and did a report for us and he said,
0:18:12 > 0:18:16"This engine is rusty, it is not going to turn.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18"It is never going to be any good.
0:18:18 > 0:18:23"And quite frankly, my advice is to try and get your money back
0:18:23 > 0:18:26"because it is not going to do anything, this boat, at all."
0:18:26 > 0:18:29The couple began trying to get their money back from Mr Holdsworth.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33They had hoped that he would be responsive, but it wasn't to be.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36We did try various things.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39We went through all the right sequences,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42but even when we rang him on his mobile, he ignored us.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44He just cut us off.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46I don't even know whether he thinks in his own mind
0:18:46 > 0:18:48he did anything wrong.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Court was the only option, and the couple won their case
0:18:51 > 0:18:53when Jason didn't attend.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56But he still hasn't paid them back and in the meantime,
0:18:56 > 0:18:59they are forking out more than £300 a month
0:18:59 > 0:19:02in mooring fees when they don't even have a usable boat.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06It is heartbreaking, really. We are pensioners.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09It is an incredible amount of money to lose.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11All we can do now is leave it with the sheriffs and keep our
0:19:11 > 0:19:16fingers crossed and hope that they will be able to do something for us.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Tommy and Craig are on the outskirts of Birmingham.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28More than 60 miles from the nearest coastline,
0:19:28 > 0:19:32it is an unlikely location to find a boat dealer.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Nevertheless, it appears to be where Mr Holdsworth lives.
0:19:36 > 0:19:37They think they're on the right road,
0:19:37 > 0:19:41but there is no sign of any boat conveniently sitting on a driveway.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45Also, all the houses here just seem to have numbers
0:19:45 > 0:19:47when they've only been given a name.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Can't see it, mate. I think it is back there.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- But Craig thinks he has worked it out.- It's this one here.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55So, they pull up and try their luck.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Hello, sir.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Sorry to disturb you. I'm trying to find a property called The Stables.
0:20:03 > 0:20:04Any idea?
0:20:04 > 0:20:07But the man says that this isn't it and he's not Jason.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13You are not him, no, and this isn't The Stables? Right.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17But something tells Craig that the man knows more than he's letting on.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20On the back of your jacket, it has got Holdsworth.
0:20:21 > 0:20:22And that's not all.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25So, is Jason your son, is he, or something?
0:20:25 > 0:20:27And this is The Stables, yeah?
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Down the bottom there, on the brick.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34Craig is right on the money.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37The man shows him ID.
0:20:37 > 0:20:38Fantastic.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41And he is indeed Jason's father.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44He says Jason doesn't live here and he'll try to get him on the phone.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52A bit early for him, I suppose, innit?
0:20:52 > 0:20:54What do you do yourself?
0:20:54 > 0:20:55Construction.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Oh, right, yeah. New builds.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Craig is not getting far with his small talk
0:21:03 > 0:21:06and Mr Holdsworth senior heads off for a meeting,
0:21:06 > 0:21:08leaving the sheriffs alone on the driveway.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15Just as they wonder what to do next, Jason appears on foot.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17- You all right?- Hello, mate. Jason is it?
0:21:18 > 0:21:20I'm Mr Wilde.
0:21:20 > 0:21:21Not too bad.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23It's to do with a High Court writ.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25A court order for...
0:21:26 > 0:21:29..Valerie Hull.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31She has obviously took a court order against you.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33For some boat or something you sold her on.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Jason clearly knows all about the case
0:21:38 > 0:21:41and invites the sheriffs in to explain.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44The balance stands at the moment at just over £12,000.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46What, it's gone up by £2,000?
0:21:46 > 0:21:50At the moment, you've incurred £1,200 enforcement fees,
0:21:50 > 0:21:55£535 judgment costs and £129 interest.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57It's more bad news for Jason.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00Sheriffs don't work for free and by not paying the court order
0:22:00 > 0:22:03when it was due, the bill has gone up.
0:22:03 > 0:22:04Are you in a position to pay that?
0:22:04 > 0:22:07No. Well, what happens with the boat that she's got of mine?
0:22:07 > 0:22:10It is worth £12, £15,000.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12The order that I got at the moment
0:22:12 > 0:22:15is just to recover the money from you.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17When he didn't defend the case in court,
0:22:17 > 0:22:19Ms Hull was granted a default judgment,
0:22:19 > 0:22:22and Jason lost his chance to ask for the return of the boat
0:22:22 > 0:22:24to be included on the order.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26Craig doesn't do boat delivery.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29He's just here for the money owed.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31All right, well, can I pay that this weekend?
0:22:31 > 0:22:35You can... We have to collect that today.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- Um...- We can...- What time?
0:22:37 > 0:22:38I can, yeah -
0:22:38 > 0:22:42I'm just waiting for some money to come through from another boat today
0:22:42 > 0:22:43- which is 12.5.- Right.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45But he hasn't paid yet this morning.
0:22:45 > 0:22:46- Right, OK. - I can pay it, but like I said,
0:22:46 > 0:22:50- I even checked this morning, it hasn't come through yet.- Right.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52As soon as that's in, I'll pay the balance, that's fine.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Can't I pay £1,000 now and then pay the rest shortly?
0:22:55 > 0:22:57The Stables is where you live,
0:22:57 > 0:22:59- which is further just down the lane, is it?- Yes.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02- Have you got a vehicle? - Yeah, I've got two cars.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05If I can list something now, you sign the form,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07it acts as security.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Provided Jason's vehicles are worth enough,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13then a control of goods agreement could be the answer.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16It would effectively give the sheriffs ownership of the cars
0:23:16 > 0:23:18until the debt is paid off.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Jason's house is close by,
0:23:21 > 0:23:25and on arrival, the sheriffs see just what they want on the driveway.
0:23:25 > 0:23:26There's his Jag there.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29INAUDIBLE
0:23:29 > 0:23:33Range Rover. And the pick-up behind. That'll do.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38Only one of the cars is on finance, and the other two will do nicely,
0:23:38 > 0:23:41so Craig gets straight down to business.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43The two vehicles for security,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45if I can get you to sign
0:23:45 > 0:23:49- and, er, print your name there for me.- Sure.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54The deal is done, but Jason isn't particularly happy about it.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57He still says there was nothing wrong with the boat he sold Ms Hull.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00What I think happened is they found out it's going to be £5,000 a year
0:24:00 > 0:24:02to keep the boat in the water,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04and they didn't want the boat any more,
0:24:04 > 0:24:05so they basically... I said,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08"Look, if you want to bring the boat back to the yard,
0:24:08 > 0:24:10"get it delivered back to the yard on a trailer,
0:24:10 > 0:24:13"then we can have a look at refunding your money,"
0:24:13 > 0:24:15didn't hear anything back for a few months,
0:24:15 > 0:24:19and then got the court letter saying that I owed £7,500.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23I rang my solicitor, she dealt with it all, they've sent me a letter
0:24:23 > 0:24:24which I haven't received.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27- OK, lovely.- Cheers.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29- Cheers, guys.- See you. Take care.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Nevertheless, the court made its decision
0:24:32 > 0:24:35and Jason must now pay his debt in full.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37The sheriffs are confident he will.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40I think they've got the money all day long,
0:24:40 > 0:24:42they're going to pay, ten o'clock, in full.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Clearly, he signed control of the goods, of his vehicles, over to the court,
0:24:45 > 0:24:48so if they don't pay, we'll be back this afternoon to remove them.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52Mr Holdsworth did indeed settle his bill later in the day
0:24:52 > 0:24:56and Valerie has finally got her money back.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Absolutely brilliant.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01We can now carry on with our retirement,
0:25:01 > 0:25:04hopefully look forward to getting back on the water,
0:25:04 > 0:25:06with another boat, new boat.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08We're just so happy that we've got the money back.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12And she has some words of advice for any other prospective boat buyers.
0:25:12 > 0:25:17Don't do what we did. Always go and view something like this before you purchase it.
0:25:17 > 0:25:18That's a definite,
0:25:18 > 0:25:21but if you do get in the same position,
0:25:21 > 0:25:22don't give up.
0:25:31 > 0:25:36Back in Barnet, Sheriff Ken Warby is still in a high-street locksmiths -
0:25:36 > 0:25:37All Service For You Ltd -
0:25:37 > 0:25:43trying to convince the boss to pay up £2,311.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46He says he's happy to pay the original court award,
0:25:46 > 0:25:48but not the extra fees incurred
0:25:48 > 0:25:51after he didn't pay and the case was transferred to the sheriffs.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54He's spoken to his solicitor. His solicitor has advised him to pay.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57He's still not having it, he's just being very stubborn.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59The police are still on their way because he says no-one's going
0:25:59 > 0:26:02to be removing goods from here. Hopefully, when the police turn up,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05they will advise him that we can remove goods from here
0:26:05 > 0:26:07and he'll pay the debt in full.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Sorry, sir. I'm going to have to crack on with this.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19So your charges will now apply, OK? You have been warned.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22Ken calls for a removal truck...
0:26:22 > 0:26:24meaning even more fees.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27And he begins to make an inventory of assets in the shop.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29But the boss isn't being very helpful.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Let's start with the key machine over there.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43So, show me proof it's not yours.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49OK. And the stock, for example?
0:26:51 > 0:26:52OK.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56Not really, not if we can help it.
0:26:58 > 0:26:59You sure have.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Ken's not sure of a door lock's auction value,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07but he's likely to need a lot of them to get close to the value of
0:27:07 > 0:27:11the debt. So he needs to list everything he can find.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Only the boss isn't happy with him looking around.
0:27:14 > 0:27:15I can go wherever I want, mate.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21It's under the same roof.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26The man once again sends our camera outside...
0:27:32 > 0:27:35..locks the doors and closes the shutters.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39Ken puts another call in to the police.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43And they arrive shortly afterwards.
0:27:48 > 0:27:49Hello?
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Hello, it's the police.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55Can you open the door, please? Thank you.
0:27:57 > 0:27:58The police are let in,
0:27:58 > 0:28:02and it's still a relatively good-natured atmosphere inside.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06But as the boss continues to repeat the same arguments Ken's been
0:28:06 > 0:28:08listening to for the past two and a half hours,
0:28:08 > 0:28:10patience is wearing thin.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15The eventual sight of the removal truck is welcome relief.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19Ken's hoping that will provide the incentive for the boss to pay.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Come in when you're ready, mate.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26With a police escort, Ken and the removals man get to work.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30But even when faced with the prospect of an almost completely
0:28:30 > 0:28:34empty store, the boss still doesn't cave in.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40Now the police have arrived, now the removal guy's arrived,
0:28:40 > 0:28:43he's now claiming that there's other companies in here
0:28:43 > 0:28:46that own certain things, so we're looking for invoices and stuff
0:28:46 > 0:28:48on that now as proof.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50It's looking at the moment like he's not going to pay it.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53He's digging his heels in, so I'm going to have to do the same.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57And so the excruciating task of comparing thousands of locks
0:28:57 > 0:29:00and parts against individual receipts continues.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05Finally, as the first box of his stuff is set down in the lorry,
0:29:05 > 0:29:09the boss reaches for his credit card and pays in full.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11The saga is finally over.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13The guy turned up to remove them,
0:29:13 > 0:29:16and his bottle went. I knew he'd pay in the end.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24Despite a judge rejecting his appeal,
0:29:24 > 0:29:27the man is still convinced he's in the right.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31He says Mr Mullany tried to get the damage done to his door fixed
0:29:31 > 0:29:33after their standard guarantee had expired.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49But he's not helped himself.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51By failing to pay when he was ordered to
0:29:51 > 0:29:52after the first court hearing,
0:29:52 > 0:29:55and again when Ken turned up this morning,
0:29:55 > 0:30:00his final bill is more than double the original judgment.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03He's ended up paying a hell of a lot more than
0:30:03 > 0:30:08what I originally went in there for, to the tune of over £1,500.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12The boss might be wishing today had panned out differently,
0:30:12 > 0:30:15but back in Stockport, his customer, Pete Mullany,
0:30:15 > 0:30:17is more than happy with the outcome.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20I'm just over the moon, really relieved.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24The main thing now is to get this door repaired.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27I think everyone has a good laugh at it when they come in now
0:30:27 > 0:30:29and see the state that it's in at the minute.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41When a business which is still trading owes money,
0:30:41 > 0:30:43more often than not, a single visit
0:30:43 > 0:30:46from the sheriffs is enough to get payment.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48But on other occasions,
0:30:48 > 0:30:50the sheriffs can find themselves
0:30:50 > 0:30:54banging on the door time after time to get their claimant's money.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57In the Midlands, enforcement agents Craig Wild and Tommy Coyle
0:30:57 > 0:31:00are about to be given the runaround by a steel tubing company.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02So we're off to Wolverhampton today.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06We're off to go and see a company called Infinity Tubes Ltd.
0:31:06 > 0:31:11Infinity Tubes Ltd owe just over £2,300.
0:31:11 > 0:31:12They were taken to court
0:31:12 > 0:31:16by army gunner turned salesman Paul Warren from Blackburn.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19He'd been looking for a new job
0:31:19 > 0:31:22when a recruitment company put him in touch with the Midlands start-up.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28Infinity Tubes was looking to be a specialist in ERW.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31ERW is an electro-resistant welded tube,
0:31:31 > 0:31:33for example, an exhaust.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36It's a strong but very lightweight product.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40The downside to it is it's very, very cheap,
0:31:40 > 0:31:42and you have to sell a lot of it,
0:31:42 > 0:31:43and I mean...
0:31:43 > 0:31:47tens of tonnes of it to get a good return on it.
0:31:47 > 0:31:52With 13 years of sales experience in the steel industry,
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Paul had built up a long list of customer contacts
0:31:55 > 0:31:58and thought he could be just the man for the job.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00I drove down to Birmingham,
0:32:00 > 0:32:02met with them once,
0:32:02 > 0:32:06and I said, "Yeah, I'll give it a shot, I'll see what I can do for you."
0:32:06 > 0:32:09Paul started working from home for the company.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13However, it wasn't long before it became clear Infinity Tubes
0:32:13 > 0:32:15still had a lot of work to do
0:32:15 > 0:32:19before he was going to be able to deliver the sales they needed.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22I soon realised, within a week,
0:32:22 > 0:32:25ten days, they really weren't geared up,
0:32:25 > 0:32:27and I explained to them, "You haven't even got
0:32:27 > 0:32:30"a computer system - you don't even have an e-mail!"
0:32:30 > 0:32:32And they said, "Well, whatever you need, tell us."
0:32:32 > 0:32:34I said, "I need price lists,
0:32:34 > 0:32:36"I can't go into customers without price lists,"
0:32:36 > 0:32:40so he wouldn't supply the documentation and the prices
0:32:40 > 0:32:42that I needed to seal the deal.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46Paul only stayed a few weeks before resigning,
0:32:46 > 0:32:50working out his notice period and returning the company car.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52But to his surprise, his final week's wages,
0:32:52 > 0:32:57along with some expenses and holiday pay, didn't show up.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00I rung him, wouldn't answer, rung him, wouldn't answer,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03I texted him and said, "Can you please pay me the wage?"
0:33:03 > 0:33:07The text back I got was, "Give me your customer list and we'll pay you the wage."
0:33:07 > 0:33:09So customer lists are bread and butter.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12They're everything, they're your worth.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16Paul refused, and the money never came.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18I found it more than unfair.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21We've got bills to pay, it was Christmas,
0:33:21 > 0:33:24and suddenly we defaulted on two payments out of our bank
0:33:24 > 0:33:27because we thought, we didn't even give it two thoughts
0:33:27 > 0:33:29that we weren't going to get paid.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33Mr Shilvock, meanwhile, was showing no signs of budging.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35So I said, "OK, then, I'll see you in court."
0:33:35 > 0:33:37Paul filed a claim online,
0:33:37 > 0:33:39and as is standard practice,
0:33:39 > 0:33:43the court initially offered mediation between the two parties.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45Paul agreed to accept a part-payment
0:33:45 > 0:33:47in order to bring the matter to a close,
0:33:47 > 0:33:50and it looked like they had a deal.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53We were notified by the magistrates that he's agreed and we've agreed
0:33:53 > 0:33:56and then, with about two days to go,
0:33:56 > 0:33:59he suddenly said no, he weren't going to.
0:33:59 > 0:34:00He wasn't paying a penny.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04So instead, Paul had his day in court.
0:34:04 > 0:34:09Mr Shilvock never showed up, and Paul won a judgment by default.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13Four weeks later, when he still hadn't been paid,
0:34:13 > 0:34:16something on the television caught his attention.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20I were sat here and on the TV was your programme.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22I went, "Hang on...
0:34:22 > 0:34:24"They're sheriffs."
0:34:24 > 0:34:27And my wife said, "Why don't we use the sheriffs?"
0:34:27 > 0:34:29I've got a lot of faith in it
0:34:29 > 0:34:32that this will put an end to it, hopefully.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42Back in Wolverhampton, Tommy and Craig are approaching
0:34:42 > 0:34:45the address they've been given for the company.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47That's the Central Trading Estate in there -
0:34:47 > 0:34:49unit 25 we're after, matey boy.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52But as they turn into the site, they get their first inkling
0:34:52 > 0:34:55that this job isn't going to be straightforward.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58There you go, Infinity Welding Limited.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01It's not quite the name they were expecting to see.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03Look at that, mate.
0:35:03 > 0:35:07Although Infinity Welding Limited's likely to be a connected company,
0:35:07 > 0:35:10the sheriffs would only be able to remove assets here
0:35:10 > 0:35:15if they're owned by the named debtor, Infinity Tubes Limited.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17But for now, ownership is the least of their problems.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21The unit is shut, and looks like it's been abandoned.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24It's not looking good at all. It should be open by now.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28With the debtor no longer present and no sign of any assets,
0:35:28 > 0:35:31there's nothing more the sheriffs can do here.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33Unfortunately for Mr Warren at the moment,
0:35:33 > 0:35:35it's a case where we would have to look to trace the company
0:35:35 > 0:35:39to another address, if they're still trading, and pursue it later on.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44The sheriffs call it quits for now,
0:35:44 > 0:35:48but a few weeks later, they are once again back on the road.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52The directors of the company are Dean and Debbie Shilvock.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54The sheriffs have run a trace on the names
0:35:54 > 0:35:57and it's come back with a residential address.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01- It looks like there's somebody home. - Someone there?- Top-floor window.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05- Hello, sir.- All right. - Dean and Debbie Shilvock.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07Is that yourself? Mr Wilde from the Sheriffs Office.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09What's that for?
0:36:09 > 0:36:10With a High Court writ.
0:36:10 > 0:36:15It's Dean Shilvock, one of the directors of Infinity Tubes Limited.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18He doesn't want our camera on his drive
0:36:18 > 0:36:21so we have to leave while Craig explains he's here to collect
0:36:21 > 0:36:23just over two grand.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29Mr Shilvock and his wife say they are willing to pay, but in stages.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31As it's unlikely there are assets here
0:36:31 > 0:36:33belonging to the debtor company,
0:36:33 > 0:36:36the sheriffs have little leverage, and it's an offer
0:36:36 > 0:36:38they are willing to consider.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40We'll forward that on to the claimant.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43It's down to him whether he wants to accept it or not.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46But just when it looks like a done deal,
0:36:46 > 0:36:48Dean offers to go one step further
0:36:48 > 0:36:51and pay in full the following day.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Craig can hardly believe his luck.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57The website's there, all self-explanatory.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00Put your reference number in, and then put your debit card in
0:37:00 > 0:37:03and it will give you an authorisation code.
0:37:03 > 0:37:04All right? Cheers.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06- Thanks, guys.- Bye-bye.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08I think that went pretty well. for a home address at least.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11We'll give them the benefit of the doubt, we'll give them 24 hours
0:37:11 > 0:37:13to pay the bill, and if they do, happy days.
0:37:13 > 0:37:19But later on, Craig and Tommy are forced to come knocking once more.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29In London, the sheriffs are at a squat in Camden Town.
0:37:29 > 0:37:30Morning!
0:37:30 > 0:37:34The man who owns the land originally allowed the squatters to stay
0:37:34 > 0:37:37but now wants it back. As expected, they are not best pleased.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41You will be removed.
0:37:41 > 0:37:42Physically.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45And outside, another man isn't cooperating either.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47You know I read minds, don't you, and I read yours
0:37:47 > 0:37:50and it's not pleasant. Please, take it away.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52We'll keep hanging in with him, keep playing his game
0:37:52 > 0:37:55for a little while, and eventually enough will be enough
0:37:55 > 0:37:58where he may have to be helped off site.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01And he's not the only squatter sailing close to the wind.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05If you touch me, sir, and you want to remove me, I don't know
0:38:05 > 0:38:06if that's the best thing to do
0:38:06 > 0:38:09because obviously you don't have any powers.
0:38:09 > 0:38:10I do have power to do that.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14And as the man continues to be obstructive, enough is enough.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18I don't respond to you. Don't touch me, don't touch me!
0:38:18 > 0:38:20You're going to get your stuff.
0:38:22 > 0:38:23Don't touch me!
0:38:23 > 0:38:26I haven't said anything to you, I haven't done anything to you.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30You're going, mate. You're too gobby.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32I'm not too gobby. What's going on here?
0:38:32 > 0:38:33You've had the opportunity.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36He's stopped complying with what he should be doing.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39He's just standing around being an issue.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45If he just carries on like that, the others are going to start
0:38:45 > 0:38:47going along with his view.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52Meanwhile, back inside the squat,
0:38:52 > 0:38:55the sheriffs are still battling with the man in the tent
0:38:55 > 0:38:57who now says he's ill.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00- Are you unwell?- Yes, I am.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02Seriously unwell, I really have been for the last three years.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04Do you want me to get you an ambulance?
0:39:04 > 0:39:07I don't know what's going to happen. You may as well get me a nurse.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10I live in a tent in a garden, not out of choice but out of force
0:39:10 > 0:39:12because you people threw me out of my last life
0:39:12 > 0:39:16because I challenged the system and refused to wear a name.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19But the sheriffs have held it all now, so after 45 minutes
0:39:19 > 0:39:23of arguing and endless excuses, the man is given some assistance.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26I have done nothing to these people.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29They are now depriving me from any ability to live.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32Put him down gently, Steve.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35I have my rights!
0:39:35 > 0:39:37With the troublemakers now off the site,
0:39:37 > 0:39:40the sheriffs need to chivvy the rest of the squatters along.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43I can see you've got your breakfast. Have you got everything else?
0:39:43 > 0:39:45- Are you taking the bike? - It's mine. Yeah.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48After being on the site for three years,
0:39:48 > 0:39:50some of the squatters have a lot of possessions.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53Luckily, they've also got a couple of vans,
0:39:53 > 0:39:56which is making the process a bit easier.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58Think we've got about half out at the moment.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00The majority have been OK.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02It's just a couple that have had to be removed
0:40:02 > 0:40:06because they're not doing what we've asked them to do.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09Meanwhile, the police have arrived, at the request of
0:40:09 > 0:40:10one of the squatters,
0:40:10 > 0:40:13who is convinced that the eviction is illegal.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16But once the police see the sheriffs' paperwork,
0:40:16 > 0:40:17it becomes clear to them
0:40:17 > 0:40:19it's the squatters who are on the wrong side of the law.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21OK, we'll go and hang out the front
0:40:21 > 0:40:23and just make sure no-one's getting in the property.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26- Thank you.- OK?
0:40:26 > 0:40:29As the final squatters gather their belongings and leave,
0:40:29 > 0:40:31the temperature again starts to rise.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33HE SHRIEKS
0:40:33 > 0:40:35# Garden community!
0:40:35 > 0:40:39# Garden community Garden community! #
0:40:39 > 0:40:42The squatters are gathering outside and making themselves heard.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46SHOUTING
0:40:46 > 0:40:48Not that the sheriffs are worried.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51I think it's a case of "much sound and fury doth signify nothing".
0:40:53 > 0:40:56And with the site confirmed as clear of squatters, attention turns to
0:40:56 > 0:41:00making sure they don't get back in and securing the site for the owner.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02It's going to be a difficult place to secure up.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06Ideally, they're going to want security guards here,
0:41:06 > 0:41:08but whether he chooses that or not...
0:41:08 > 0:41:10If he doesn't, they'll probably be back in straight away.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12The other thing the sheriffs can do
0:41:12 > 0:41:15is make sure there's nothing much to come back to.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18As long as their makeshift homes are still standing,
0:41:18 > 0:41:21this site will continue to be a draw for the squatters,
0:41:21 > 0:41:24so the owner has asked the sheriffs to remove them.
0:41:24 > 0:41:25SHOUTING
0:41:25 > 0:41:29Unsurprisingly, it only winds the squatters up more.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Please stop destroying my home!
0:41:33 > 0:41:36My belongings are inside!
0:41:36 > 0:41:39SHOUTING
0:41:39 > 0:41:41Why are you destroying our garden?
0:41:41 > 0:41:45Why are you destroying our beautiful garden?
0:41:45 > 0:41:48But the time has now come for the squatters to move on,
0:41:48 > 0:41:50and Mark is confident they will.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52There's still people coming back and forwards.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55They've got stuff in there which we are letting them on to get,
0:41:55 > 0:41:58escorting them on, and they're all outside still,
0:41:58 > 0:42:05all being very verbal. But as the day goes on, they'll peter out.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07Thanks to the sheriffs,
0:42:07 > 0:42:10the land is back in the hands of its rightful owner.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19In the Midlands, Tommy and Craig are on the road again chasing
0:42:19 > 0:42:23an outstanding debt, owed by steel company Infinity Tubes Ltd.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25It owes more than £2,000
0:42:25 > 0:42:29after being taken to court by former employee Paul Warren.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31The sheriffs have already visited
0:42:31 > 0:42:33the company's former business premises...
0:42:33 > 0:42:35There you go, Infinity Welding Ltd!
0:42:35 > 0:42:37..and the directors' home.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40But today they find themselves making a return visit.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44We're going to go and see Mr and Mrs Shilvock, who we've been to before.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46They said they'll pay.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50We gave them seven days to produce the payment,
0:42:50 > 0:42:52which Mr Shilvock said he would do the following day.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55Our office have informed us that that hasn't happened,
0:42:55 > 0:42:59so we're off today to see why it hasn't happened.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02The sheriffs pull up at the address and head in.
0:43:05 > 0:43:06KNOCK ON DOOR
0:43:06 > 0:43:08Hiya, Debbie.
0:43:08 > 0:43:12Company director Debbie Shilvock has answered the door, but
0:43:12 > 0:43:15she isn't happy about the sheriffs turning up here for a second time.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18The main bone of contention she's just mentioned then
0:43:18 > 0:43:19is because it's a limited company
0:43:19 > 0:43:21we shouldn't be attending the home address.
0:43:21 > 0:43:23However, two factors in that -
0:43:23 > 0:43:25A, we haven't got the new company address,
0:43:25 > 0:43:28because they've moved from the old address.
0:43:29 > 0:43:32And the second factor is, with a court order,
0:43:32 > 0:43:34we can go anywhere in England and Wales where we can find
0:43:34 > 0:43:38the assets of the defendant, in this particular case a limited company.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41Company assets like the office desk, computer, printer, laptop,
0:43:41 > 0:43:43it could all be in there.
0:43:43 > 0:43:45Probably not, because they've got another premises
0:43:45 > 0:43:49they trade out of, but it doesn't stop us from coming here legally.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52The sheriffs can attend anywhere a debtor carries out a trade
0:43:52 > 0:43:55or business in order to get paid.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58With Debbie's husband and co-director Dean now apparently
0:43:58 > 0:44:01on his way, they're hoping that's what's about to happen.
0:44:02 > 0:44:05We're going to wait for her husband to come here and try
0:44:05 > 0:44:07and elicit the payment from the husband,
0:44:07 > 0:44:10who was quite keen last time to try and get it resolved.
0:44:10 > 0:44:13So, erm, I can't understand why they haven't paid it.
0:44:14 > 0:44:17Ten minutes later, Dean pulls up.
0:44:17 > 0:44:20Perhaps he can explain why, more than four months after the court
0:44:20 > 0:44:22ruled against Infinity Tubes Ltd,
0:44:22 > 0:44:25the company still hasn't settled its debt.
0:44:26 > 0:44:28Hiya, Dean.
0:44:28 > 0:44:31Mr Shilvock heads inside with the sheriffs, where he explains that
0:44:31 > 0:44:36he believes the court's decision was unfair and wants to challenge it.
0:44:36 > 0:44:38Craig explains that, while he can appeal,
0:44:38 > 0:44:43for now the bill needs paying. Soon Tommy emerges with news.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46Yeah, we've had a conversation with them. They're looking to pay us.
0:44:46 > 0:44:50They are going back to court, but we explained it's not going to go away.
0:44:50 > 0:44:52We've come back for a second time now.
0:44:52 > 0:44:55So they've agreed to pay it, so it's getting the card machine,
0:44:55 > 0:44:57going to facilitate the payment.
0:44:57 > 0:45:00Tommy goes back inside, where, sure enough, the bill is settled in full.
0:45:02 > 0:45:04But while Tommy heads back to the van,
0:45:04 > 0:45:07Craig appears to have got distracted.
0:45:07 > 0:45:09I bet when it fires up you wake all the neighbours up, Dean.
0:45:09 > 0:45:12Dean's Ford Mustang has caught his eye
0:45:12 > 0:45:16and its proud owner is more than happy to show it off.
0:45:16 > 0:45:18- Oh, looking at the car now. - Five-litre.
0:45:19 > 0:45:22Oh, look, it's kicked in now, look. Yeah.
0:45:22 > 0:45:24Longest ever conversation with our Craig.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27I bet you want to book yourself into a track, don't you?
0:45:27 > 0:45:29THEY LAUGH
0:45:29 > 0:45:33A Mustang's a nice bit of kit. Lovely bit of kit. I like my motors.
0:45:33 > 0:45:37Very, very nippy. And Dean quite likes it, as well, obviously.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41As for the debt, Craig's satisfied with the day's outcome.
0:45:41 > 0:45:45They've done the decent and right thing by paying it in full.
0:45:45 > 0:45:49In fact, Infinity Tubes Ltd never did go back to court.
0:45:49 > 0:45:53And in Blackburn, Paul Warren has finally got the money he's owed.
0:45:53 > 0:45:55The sheriffs have contacted us,
0:45:55 > 0:45:58saying that they've recovered the full money from Infinity Tubes,
0:45:58 > 0:46:02which is fantastic for us. It's been a long journey, in our eyes.
0:46:02 > 0:46:05We never thought that we'd get to this day, but we are.
0:46:05 > 0:46:09It's a great result and a big, big weight off our minds. Fantastic.
0:46:15 > 0:46:18In the capital, Lawrence and Kev are slogging through
0:46:18 > 0:46:22the mid-morning traffic on their way to collect another unpaid debt.
0:46:22 > 0:46:25We're in central London, actually, just near Earl's Court.
0:46:25 > 0:46:29We're going to see Berkeley Credit and Guarantee Ltd.
0:46:29 > 0:46:31I think it's some sort of finance company.
0:46:31 > 0:46:35They owe £16,251.
0:46:39 > 0:46:41Berkeley Credit and Guarantee Ltd
0:46:41 > 0:46:44was taken to court by their landlord for unpaid rent.
0:46:44 > 0:46:48The company defended the case in court but lost
0:46:48 > 0:46:51and was ordered to pay their debt plus costs.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54Six months later, it still hasn't done so.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57Now it's down to the sheriffs to collect.
0:46:57 > 0:46:58It's a tough one to call, this.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01It's going to be an office, we're in the middle of London.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04At a guess, you'd say they're not going to have too many assets.
0:47:04 > 0:47:07It's quite a lot of money we're after, as well, but...
0:47:07 > 0:47:09ever hopeful.
0:47:09 > 0:47:12There it is, there.
0:47:12 > 0:47:14- Yeah.- It's like one of these money express places.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18Well, at least there should be some cash on site.
0:47:18 > 0:47:22Whether it'll stretch to £16,000 is another matter.
0:47:22 > 0:47:25The sheriffs are about to find out.
0:47:34 > 0:47:37Morning. I'm looking for Berkeley Credit and Guarantee Ltd.
0:47:38 > 0:47:40Berkeley Credit and Guarantee Ltd?
0:47:40 > 0:47:44Bizarrely, despite branding everywhere which suggests they're
0:47:44 > 0:47:48in the right place, the cashier says that's not who he works for.
0:47:48 > 0:47:50Is there anyone here from them, then?
0:47:50 > 0:47:53No? This is their registered office.
0:47:53 > 0:47:56The man thinks it isn't, so Lawrence sets him straight.
0:47:56 > 0:47:59- There you are. It says so on this door.- It says there on the door.
0:48:01 > 0:48:03It does.
0:48:03 > 0:48:05So, have you got contact with them upstairs?
0:48:05 > 0:48:07There's no buzzer, no intercom?
0:48:07 > 0:48:10KNOCKS ON DOOR
0:48:10 > 0:48:12The cashier doesn't seem to know very much.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14But there is one thing he's sure of.
0:48:15 > 0:48:20- There's no-one there.- There's nobody there. How do you know?
0:48:20 > 0:48:23You've never seen it open. What time do you get here in the morning?
0:48:23 > 0:48:26Nine thirty, yeah. What time do you leave?
0:48:26 > 0:48:30Five thirty. And you've never seen anybody come in or out the door?
0:48:30 > 0:48:32They are getting some answers at last,
0:48:32 > 0:48:36even if they're not very useful. Lawrence tries a different tack.
0:48:36 > 0:48:42I've got a number on the file... so I'm going to give it a ring.
0:48:42 > 0:48:45Hello there. My name's Mr Grix. I'm an enforcement agent.
0:48:45 > 0:48:48I'm looking for Berkeley Credit and Guarantee Ltd.
0:48:48 > 0:48:52Right, I'm basically here with a High Court writ which orders me
0:48:52 > 0:48:54to take control of the goods of the company which can be
0:48:54 > 0:48:57sold at auction to clear a debt.
0:48:57 > 0:48:59And as this is commercial premises,
0:48:59 > 0:49:02I can force entry with a locksmith, if necessary...
0:49:03 > 0:49:06..to search for company assets and remove them.
0:49:06 > 0:49:08It seems to do the trick.
0:49:08 > 0:49:10Yeah, if somebody wants to come here
0:49:10 > 0:49:13and pay in cash, yes, that's fine. Bye-bye.
0:49:14 > 0:49:17She's asked for half an hour to get it sorted.
0:49:19 > 0:49:21So who knows?
0:49:21 > 0:49:24From what had seemed like a bit of a dead end,
0:49:24 > 0:49:26suddenly this job's looking up.
0:49:26 > 0:49:30A few minutes later, the cashier beckons Lawrence over.
0:49:30 > 0:49:35Call from head office. And...have your number, please?
0:49:35 > 0:49:37Whose head office is this? Yours?
0:49:38 > 0:49:40Or the company I'm looking for?
0:49:40 > 0:49:43Once again, communication is difficult.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46Oh, whatever. I don't know why you don't speak into that microphone.
0:49:46 > 0:49:48I might be able to hear you.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51One way or another, though, head office does get through.
0:49:51 > 0:49:53PHONE RINGS
0:49:53 > 0:49:55Hello. Mr Grix speaking.
0:49:57 > 0:49:59Hello there.
0:49:59 > 0:50:01No, it needs to be full payment. I can't believe that a company
0:50:01 > 0:50:05such as yourselves can't rustle up £16,000, to be honest.
0:50:06 > 0:50:08Well, you had a turnover last time
0:50:08 > 0:50:10you submitted your books of 1.8 million.
0:50:12 > 0:50:14So I can't believe that you can't come up with £16,000.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17I know what you're saying, it's short notice, but it's not
0:50:17 > 0:50:20short notice, because it's been all through the County Court,
0:50:20 > 0:50:22we've sent a notice of enforcement,
0:50:22 > 0:50:24there's been plenty of paperwork to do with this,
0:50:24 > 0:50:29but somebody's either ignored it or buried their heads in the sand,
0:50:29 > 0:50:31and it's now crunch day. OK?
0:50:32 > 0:50:34Bye-bye.
0:50:35 > 0:50:39She's spoken to somebody, and they can pay half the money now
0:50:39 > 0:50:40and the balance on Friday.
0:50:40 > 0:50:43Erm, but at the moment, I've said no to that, because they've
0:50:43 > 0:50:47managed to come up with half the money very, very quickly.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50And we'll see what she comes back with in half an hour.
0:50:50 > 0:50:54In fact, he only has to wait a few minutes for an improved offer.
0:50:54 > 0:50:58- PHONE RINGS - Hello, Mr Grix speaking.
0:50:59 > 0:51:02It's not for the full amount, but it's enough.
0:51:02 > 0:51:05Yeah, if you make that by immediate payment and just give me a buzz
0:51:05 > 0:51:07when it's done, providing the balance hits the account
0:51:07 > 0:51:11by close of business Friday, then that'll be the matter dealt with.
0:51:12 > 0:51:14OK? Thanks. Bye-bye.
0:51:16 > 0:51:19Going to make a £10,000 payment in the next couple of minutes
0:51:19 > 0:51:24and then the balance on Friday. It's Wednesday, so I can live with that.
0:51:24 > 0:51:26Lawrence soon gets confirmation
0:51:26 > 0:51:28that the first payment's been made...
0:51:28 > 0:51:30- £10,000 is in. - ..leaves a receipt...
0:51:30 > 0:51:32They know I'm leaving it with you,
0:51:32 > 0:51:35and I'm presuming somebody will come and collect it at some point.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38..and is on his way, pleasantly surprised.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40They offered half the debt initially.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42I insisted on full payment.
0:51:42 > 0:51:46They came back sort of ten minutes later with an offer of £10,000.
0:51:46 > 0:51:50And, really, in the situation where I hadn't even got into the office
0:51:50 > 0:51:53and it looks like they don't even use the office so I'd have to
0:51:53 > 0:51:57use locksmiths to get in, I think that's a pretty good result, really.
0:51:57 > 0:52:02Berkeley Credit and Guarantee Ltd later made the second payment,
0:52:02 > 0:52:04and their landlord finally got the money they were owed.
0:52:09 > 0:52:12If you've won a County Court judgment and haven't been paid,
0:52:12 > 0:52:16for £66 you can get the case transferred up to the High Court,
0:52:16 > 0:52:20which will issue a writ for enforcement by the sheriffs.
0:52:20 > 0:52:24My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:52:24 > 0:52:27They've got special powers of entry.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30We don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:52:30 > 0:52:33And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:52:33 > 0:52:36£1.6 million.
0:52:36 > 0:52:39If they're successful, they'll recover your money
0:52:39 > 0:52:41and costs from the debtor...
0:52:41 > 0:52:42You've got the cash now, then?
0:52:42 > 0:52:45..as well as their own fees, which are set by the Government.
0:52:45 > 0:52:49- She's paid, the judgment is settled. - Thank you very much.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51If the sheriffs can't get your money,
0:52:51 > 0:52:56they'll ask you to pay a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:53:00 > 0:53:03In the south-east, Lawrence and Kev are on their way to collect
0:53:03 > 0:53:06money owed by a car dealer's.
0:53:06 > 0:53:12We're going to Walton Motors. It's a 4x4 showroom. A family-run business.
0:53:12 > 0:53:16This debt was incurred. It's a refund for a car.
0:53:16 > 0:53:18The claimant wasn't happy with the vehicle
0:53:18 > 0:53:21they'd bought from Walton Motors and so took them to court.
0:53:21 > 0:53:24When the dealership didn't defend the case,
0:53:24 > 0:53:27judgment was found against them and they were ordered to refund him.
0:53:27 > 0:53:30But two months on, they haven't done so.
0:53:30 > 0:53:32They owe £6,045.
0:53:37 > 0:53:39So we're going to go and get that.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42This won't be the first time Lawrence has been to the dealer's.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45I bought an Isuzu Trooper off them years ago.
0:53:45 > 0:53:47To be fair, I never had any trouble with it.
0:53:47 > 0:53:51He's hoping today's visit will also be plain sailing.
0:53:51 > 0:53:56Hell, look at that. They've obviously expanded, haven't they?
0:53:56 > 0:53:59Not only that, but they now seem to have a large stock
0:53:59 > 0:54:02of one of car buff Lawrence's favourite motors.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05They're obviously specialising in Land Rovers now.
0:54:05 > 0:54:07You're going to love this, as well, ain't you?
0:54:07 > 0:54:09It's like you've died and gone to Heaven.
0:54:09 > 0:54:12- Yeah.- And there's another reason to be cheerful.
0:54:12 > 0:54:16The large number of cars bodes well for getting paid.
0:54:16 > 0:54:18But will it be without any argument?
0:54:18 > 0:54:21- Hiya.- Morning. You're in charge at the moment, yeah?- Not really.
0:54:21 > 0:54:23Well, you'll do.
0:54:23 > 0:54:25My name's Mr Grix. I'm an enforcement agent.
0:54:25 > 0:54:28We're ordered out today to take control of goods to clear a debt.
0:54:28 > 0:54:32The boss isn't here, but the staff quickly get him on the phone.
0:54:33 > 0:54:36- Morning, sir.- And Lawrence doesn't beat around the bush.
0:54:36 > 0:54:38My colleague and I are here today
0:54:38 > 0:54:41with a High Court writ against Walton Motors.
0:54:41 > 0:54:43We're ordered here to take control of goods
0:54:43 > 0:54:46to the value of £6,045.14...
0:54:46 > 0:54:49and the only way to prevent further action is pay in full.
0:54:49 > 0:54:52At first, it doesn't seem to be ringing any bells with the boss,
0:54:52 > 0:54:57- so Lawrence tries to jog his memory. - He bought a car from you, basically.
0:54:57 > 0:54:59There's a note on my file that says he's still got the car
0:54:59 > 0:55:02and he wants to give it back, but obviously he's not going to
0:55:02 > 0:55:04until you settle this judgment, sir.
0:55:04 > 0:55:06But that's not something we get involved with.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08We're ordered out because you haven't paid it.
0:55:10 > 0:55:15Courts can demand the return of goods in exchange for a refund,
0:55:15 > 0:55:18only in this case no such conditions were applied.
0:55:18 > 0:55:22But just as Lawrence thinks he might have a battle on his hands,
0:55:22 > 0:55:23the mood changes.
0:55:25 > 0:55:28Yes, we are. Yeah.
0:55:28 > 0:55:30The man has seen the sheriffs on the telly.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33I'm the fat, bald one with the goatee beard.
0:55:33 > 0:55:37And my colleague, who's always working with me, he's here, as well.
0:55:37 > 0:55:39With the boss fully in the picture,
0:55:39 > 0:55:42conversation quickly turns to methods of payment.
0:55:42 > 0:55:44We've got a Chip and Pin machine here.
0:55:44 > 0:55:46Or you can go online and pay with a card.
0:55:47 > 0:55:49All right. Cheers. Bye-bye.
0:55:50 > 0:55:53He's going to ring back in a minute.
0:55:53 > 0:55:55Things are moving in the right direction.
0:55:55 > 0:55:59Kev's sizing up the assets on the forecourt, just in case.
0:55:59 > 0:56:02But he's pretty confident of getting the matter resolved.
0:56:02 > 0:56:04It sounds like he's just going to pay online
0:56:04 > 0:56:06and then try and get the vehicle back.
0:56:06 > 0:56:11Sure enough, a few minutes later, the boss is back on the phone.
0:56:11 > 0:56:12Hello, sir.
0:56:12 > 0:56:15The payment's gone through, so with the bill settled,
0:56:15 > 0:56:17Lawrence offers some friendly advice
0:56:17 > 0:56:19about retrieving the vehicle from the claimant.
0:56:19 > 0:56:21I would say probably within about 48 hours,
0:56:21 > 0:56:26you'd be safe to give him a ring and say, "Look, it's been paid.
0:56:26 > 0:56:28"What about having me car back?"
0:56:29 > 0:56:31Cheers. Bye.
0:56:32 > 0:56:36The man has paid the full £6,045 outstanding.
0:56:36 > 0:56:39- Thank you very much. We'll leave you in peace.- Cheers.- Cheers, guys.
0:56:39 > 0:56:41That went very smoothly. They got the owner on the phone,
0:56:41 > 0:56:45paid it on the card ten minutes later. Job done.
0:56:45 > 0:56:46Back in the van...
0:56:46 > 0:56:48Let's get some food.
0:56:48 > 0:56:50Yeah, it's already in the sat nav, mate.
0:56:50 > 0:56:54The claimant will now get back the money the court says he's owed.
0:56:54 > 0:56:57He'll have to come to an agreement with the garage
0:56:57 > 0:56:58about the return of the car.
0:57:00 > 0:57:02Walton Motors told us: