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 > 0:00:10They 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 > 0:00:22How are you going to pay it?
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Or remove assets instead.
0:00:24 > 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 > 0:00:36- I wouldn't do that if I were you. - The door needs to stay open.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Every year in England and Wales,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43unpaid debts totalling more than £80 million
0:00:43 > 0:00:44are recovered by The Sheriffs.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Coming up...
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Neil Cummings bought an eco-friendly heating system,
0:00:53 > 0:00:55which turned out to be dangerous.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57I paid over £10,500.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00I ended up with a system that was completely unsafe.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04There's a dramatic intervention from Lawrence to stop assets disappearing
0:01:04 > 0:01:07from the business that sold it.
0:01:07 > 0:01:08They were literally engines running,
0:01:08 > 0:01:11I just had to swing the van across and block them in.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Tommy's looking for a result at a football club with a debt to pay.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20I won't leave here today without payment or taking stuff with me.
0:01:20 > 0:01:25Lawrence confronts a car dealer who owes a £12,000 refund
0:01:25 > 0:01:26to a customer.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30I will ask the question again, what can you pay?
0:01:30 > 0:01:33And Tommy and Craig remove not one but two vehicles
0:01:33 > 0:01:35from a debtor's driveway.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43It's eight o'clock in the morning,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47and enforcement agent Lawrence Grix is already on the road.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49He's heading into Surrey for an unpaid debt
0:01:49 > 0:01:54owed by a business specialising in eco-friendly heating systems.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56We're down near Guildford today,
0:01:56 > 0:01:59just coming into a place called Gomshall.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03We've got the Green Shop and Jan Aukstolis.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08I believe it's a shop that sells wood-burning stoves and things,
0:02:08 > 0:02:10and there was an issue with a wood-burning stove.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15We're here today for just under £8,500.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20The claimant in the case is Neil Cummings,
0:02:20 > 0:02:22a self-employed builder who came across the company
0:02:22 > 0:02:26after embarking on a labour of love, building his own family home.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30I've built houses for other people,
0:02:30 > 0:02:34but the idea of actually building a house specifically for us
0:02:34 > 0:02:35was a lifelong ambition.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38When we eventually found this plot, it didn't have any gas.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41There's no gas supply, there's no oil here,
0:02:41 > 0:02:44so I decided that I wanted to go the green route.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46After researching his options,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Neil found a local supplier and installer,
0:02:48 > 0:02:50the Green Shop in Gomshall.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54He went to meet the man in charge, Jan Aukstolis.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58He said, "Yes, absolutely no trouble,"
0:02:58 > 0:03:01he could design a system for that, which he did.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03He gave me a quote, which I accepted.
0:03:03 > 0:03:04He talked the talk,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07he seemed to certainly know what he was talking about.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11At the heart of the whole system was a wood-burning stove,
0:03:11 > 0:03:15and initially Neil was very pleased with the installation.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19All of the work proceeded well and everything was installed.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Everything seemed to be fine and above board.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26That was until Neil wanted to add a new feature on to the system,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29and when he couldn't get hold of Mr Aukstolis,
0:03:29 > 0:03:31called in another plumber.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34He came along and had a look at the system that we had here
0:03:34 > 0:03:37for a couple of hours, and he turned round and said,
0:03:37 > 0:03:38"I'm really not happy".
0:03:38 > 0:03:40He said that in his opinion,
0:03:40 > 0:03:44the system didn't have enough safety features within it.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47So Neil had it disconnected.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51When he contacted the manufacturer of one of the other main components
0:03:51 > 0:03:52in his heating system,
0:03:52 > 0:03:56not only did they confirm what the plumber was saying,
0:03:56 > 0:04:00they also forwarded an e-mail they'd sent to Mr Aukstolis.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03And in the e-mail, it basically turned round and said that
0:04:03 > 0:04:07the wood-burning stove used in conjunction with this particular system must,
0:04:07 > 0:04:12and must was all in capital letters, "MUST have an in-built quench coil."
0:04:12 > 0:04:16The quench coil is designed to release energy from the system
0:04:16 > 0:04:19in the event of a power cut or safety features failing.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22While it's not necessary in every wood-burning stove,
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Neil's particular system required one,
0:04:24 > 0:04:29and without it he feared he was sitting on a potential time bomb.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33What we've actually got is a pressurised system,
0:04:33 > 0:04:35which is building up and up and up.
0:04:35 > 0:04:36It's like an old steam locomotive,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39if you can't release the energy, it's going to explode,
0:04:39 > 0:04:44and the idea of actually spending my life savings building this property,
0:04:44 > 0:04:46to potentially have, you know,
0:04:46 > 0:04:50my family in a dangerous situation, is scary.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55Neil tried to get in touch with Jan Aukstolis to see what he had to say.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59He didn't reply to any of my text messages, e-mails, I phoned him,
0:04:59 > 0:05:02I went down to the shop, I couldn't get hold of him at all.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04When I was actually paying the money out,
0:05:04 > 0:05:06he was returning calls within half an hour.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09However, as soon as he'd received the final amount of money,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12the correspondence completely ceased.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17Eventually, Neil decided the only option was to get quotes to rectify
0:05:17 > 0:05:19the work and complete the installation,
0:05:19 > 0:05:23and then take Mr Aukstolis and the Green Shop to court,
0:05:23 > 0:05:24to cover the costs.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28When they didn't defend the case, Neil won a default judgment.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Since then he hasn't paid any money at all,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34so I've decided that I need to take this case further.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37He's now escalated it to the High Court
0:05:37 > 0:05:40and obtained a writ for the sheriffs to enforce.
0:05:40 > 0:05:41At the end of the day,
0:05:41 > 0:05:47I paid over £10,500 to Jan for the installation of this system,
0:05:47 > 0:05:51of which I ended up with a system that was completely unsafe.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55Money's tight, I haven't been able to rectify any of the situation,
0:05:55 > 0:05:57and I won't be able to rectify it until I get any money,
0:05:57 > 0:06:01if I do get any money, back from the sheriffs.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04So hopefully in their hands we'll see what they can do.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Lawrence is en route to the shop,
0:06:14 > 0:06:17and his research in the office has painted a promising picture
0:06:17 > 0:06:19of what he might find.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23It looks quite a reasonably large premises,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26when you look at it on Google,
0:06:26 > 0:06:27with a car park to the rear.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31So hopefully they'll have assets there.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33There is money in wood-burning stoves.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38But Lawrence is foreseeing a potential pitfall.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42Mr Cummings has obtained his writ in the name of the boss personally,
0:06:42 > 0:06:45and the Green Shop, which is just a trading name,
0:06:45 > 0:06:47and so not a legal entity.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Success this morning may boil down to how exactly
0:06:50 > 0:06:53the business has been set up.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57It is actually dependent really on whether Mr Aukstolis owns any of
0:06:57 > 0:07:01the assets, or if there's a company trading there.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Lawrence arrives at the Green Shop
0:07:04 > 0:07:07just as some workers are about to get into their vans.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11I'm going to have to try and catch this fella here, I think.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14So there's no hanging about.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18Morning, gents. I'm looking for Jan Aukstolis.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20- Is that you at all?- No.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Is he here? Is Mr Aukstolis here?
0:07:26 > 0:07:29Our cameraman retreats to the road,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32while Lawrence tries to find out where Mr Aukstolis is,
0:07:32 > 0:07:35but the workers here appear to be installers or engineers.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39They're keen to get off to their first job of the day
0:07:39 > 0:07:41and don't want to wait.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46When they start preparing to leave, Lawrence swings into action...
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Repositioning his van...
0:07:53 > 0:07:56..and blocking the entire entrance to the car park.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02Normally I would have tried to take the time to clamp them,
0:08:02 > 0:08:06but where I was on my own and they were literally engines running,
0:08:06 > 0:08:10about to dash out the car park, I just had to swing the van across
0:08:10 > 0:08:12and block them in.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Sorry to have to do this to you, guys.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19I fully appreciate that you're only just trying to earn a living
0:08:19 > 0:08:20and do your job.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24But as their vehicles are sign written
0:08:24 > 0:08:25and could belong to the debtor,
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Lawrence can't let them leave until he has answers,
0:08:28 > 0:08:31which seem to be hard to come by.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34Mr Aukstolis isn't here.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38The guys that are here say that they basically run the place,
0:08:38 > 0:08:40they don't see him very often.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42They've tried contacting him on the phone,
0:08:42 > 0:08:44I've tried contacting him on the phone,
0:08:44 > 0:08:46we've got nowhere at the moment.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48It just goes straight to voicemail.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51The guys that are here now have just asked if I can give them five minutes,
0:08:51 > 0:08:53so I don't know what they're going to try and do,
0:08:53 > 0:08:54if they're going to try and pay it.
0:08:54 > 0:08:59The three vehicles that I've managed to block in are all clear of finance.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03If I can't get hold of him and the guys here can't get hold of him
0:09:03 > 0:09:06then, yeah, I'll basically remove the vehicles.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11But getting hold of Mr Aukstolis turns out to be quite simple after all.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15One man who's here is showing more interest in the case.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Mr Grix, G-R-I-X.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20And Lawrence puts two and two together.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22So, are you Mr Aukstolis, then?
0:09:22 > 0:09:24It is indeed Mr Aukstolis -
0:09:24 > 0:09:28the man who sold Neil his dangerous heating system.
0:09:28 > 0:09:34Lawrence shows him his writ and explains he's here for £8,440.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Mr Aukstolis tells him nothing here is owned by him,
0:09:37 > 0:09:38but by his business,
0:09:38 > 0:09:42which is registered as The Green Shop Gomshall Limited.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Lawrence demands proof of ownership,
0:09:46 > 0:09:49but in the end he doesn't need to see it.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52Perhaps mindful of his staff trapped in the car park
0:09:52 > 0:09:53and unable to get to work,
0:09:53 > 0:09:57Mr Aukstolis manages to come up with some money.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01Lawrence moves his van out of the way and lets them go.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03That didn't go too badly.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05The gentleman there actually was Mr Aukstolis,
0:10:05 > 0:10:10and he's managed to come up with just under £3,500 today,
0:10:10 > 0:10:14and I've put him on a monthly arrangement of £1,000 a month for the rest.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19All being well, he should clear his debt in five months.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22He does admit that the limited company owes the money,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25which is basically why he's paid some money today.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30The vehicles, allegedly, belong to the limited company,
0:10:30 > 0:10:31although that wasn't proven to me,
0:10:31 > 0:10:33so I was still using them as leverage.
0:10:35 > 0:10:36But we'll have to see what happens,
0:10:36 > 0:10:39he may well just stick to his arrangement.
0:10:40 > 0:10:41Down the road in Sussex,
0:10:41 > 0:10:45word of the payment has come as a welcome relief to Neil Cummings.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Really good news from the sheriffs.
0:10:48 > 0:10:53We've actually finally managed to get hold of the first initial payment of just over £3,500,
0:10:53 > 0:10:55so that's come in and that's brilliant.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57So we've already got the new wood-burning stove,
0:10:57 > 0:11:00which is just sitting in place, it's not actually connected.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03Let's just hope that Jan is true to his word
0:11:03 > 0:11:07and honours the agreement and it will be the end to a lot of stress
0:11:07 > 0:11:11and anxiety that we've had over the last year.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23Using the County Courts to try to recover money you're owed isn't difficult.
0:11:24 > 0:11:271.5 million money claims are made every year in England and Wales,
0:11:27 > 0:11:31involving anything from faulty goods or poor workmanship,
0:11:31 > 0:11:33to unpaid invoices.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Claims can be filed by post or online for a small fee.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41Both parties in the case will be asked to submit evidence
0:11:41 > 0:11:43and you may have to attend a court hearing.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45If you're successful,
0:11:45 > 0:11:50a County Court judgment, or CCJ, will be issued against the debtor,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53and if they still don't pay, that's when you call the sheriffs.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Enforcement agent Tommy Coyle is in the East Midlands,
0:12:00 > 0:12:04with an unusual case on his hands against a sports club.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07We're on our way to Corby today.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10We're visiting Corby Town Football Club.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12I think they're quite a small club.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14There's previously been an agent visit the property,
0:12:14 > 0:12:19spoke to a Steve, who's the chairman, who promised payment.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21The payment has not been forthcoming.
0:12:21 > 0:12:26Corby Town FC has been taken to court for unpaid invoices
0:12:26 > 0:12:29by a company which has done ground work on the pitch.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33The club didn't defend the case and judgment was issued by default.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37It owes £10,965.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Tommy may not be much of a football fan,
0:12:41 > 0:12:43but today he's hoping for a win.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Hopefully they'll have some assets there.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49It could be a small bar, it could be some minivans,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52for transporting the players round. It could be some trophies,
0:12:52 > 0:12:56but I don't know how many trophies Corby Town have won recently,
0:12:56 > 0:12:58but we'll have a look.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02We're hoping for a result today, possibly a 3-2 for Tommy.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Thankfully, it's not match day.
0:13:06 > 0:13:07Welcome to Corby Town FC.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Although Tommy has no trouble getting into the grounds,
0:13:12 > 0:13:15finding anyone to talk to might be another matter.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19But he soon navigates his way into some kind of clubhouse,
0:13:19 > 0:13:21where a team talk appears to be underway.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- Hi, you all right?- You all right? Is the chairman about?
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Could you give him a call for me, it's quite urgent?
0:13:31 > 0:13:33I'm an enforcement agent.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Tommy's stumbled on the club's youth academy,
0:13:35 > 0:13:39and the man in charge offers to get the chairman on the phone.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43- Is it? - I don't know what else I can do.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Is there anyone else you can call?
0:13:45 > 0:13:47The problem I have, I'm literally here,
0:13:47 > 0:13:50I'm going to start listing assets down straightaway.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Once I've listed everything down,
0:13:52 > 0:13:54I'll literally be getting contractors in
0:13:54 > 0:13:56and start removing stuff.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Understandably, it's not what the man wants to hear,
0:13:59 > 0:14:04especially as he says the academy is separate and not part of the club.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09You got the paperwork to show that?
0:14:10 > 0:14:12You need to get it.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Soon, the academy's finance director is on the phone,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17telling Tommy he can't touch anything here.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19Tommy explains the situation.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23It boils down to we need to see evidence of what belongs to you.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25So if you want to call the police,
0:14:25 > 0:14:27and I'll carry on with what I've got to do here.
0:14:27 > 0:14:28OK?
0:14:28 > 0:14:31Tommy's presence here is ruffling a few feathers,
0:14:31 > 0:14:34but he's got a writ to enforce, plain and simple.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36If you can just show me the evidence
0:14:36 > 0:14:38instead of just telling me that I can't do it
0:14:38 > 0:14:40because that ain't going to get him nowhere.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Right, let's start listing everything down.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46News that an enforcement agent is planning to remove the contents of
0:14:46 > 0:14:50the clubhouse soon gets through to the right person.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- You all right?- The chairman on the phone.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54- Is this Steve, is it?- Steve, yeah.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Hello, sir.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02But club chairman Steve Noble hasn't called up to make a payment,
0:15:02 > 0:15:04he instead has a different take on events.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09What you're saying is he's willing to pay all the cost...
0:15:09 > 0:15:12He's talking about a deal he's come to with the claimant.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14I appreciate what you're saying,
0:15:14 > 0:15:16but unless I'm instructed by a court,
0:15:16 > 0:15:19I have to carry on with my actions today.
0:15:19 > 0:15:20All right, speak to you in bit.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26The chairman seems to think that he's come to an agreement with the claimant.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29The claimant was going to pay our cost directly to us,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32and then they was going to come to an agreement between themselves.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34I've got no notes of that.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37And a quick call to Tommy's office suggests that while
0:15:37 > 0:15:40the claimant may be willing to accept a payment schedule,
0:15:40 > 0:15:44he wants any such deal to be arranged through the sheriffs.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Oh, right, OK, so it's not what he said then.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52In the meantime, Tommy's search for assets continues.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56In the bar, there's some alcohol.
0:15:56 > 0:15:57Limited wet stock.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00And a modest collection of silverware.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04Three cups up there, and one large one there,
0:16:04 > 0:16:06so I'll make a note of them.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Though the first aid room turns out to be of more interest.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Here we go.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Resuscitating machine, an electronic one.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18I think you just put the paddles on, start her up and it saves your life, basically.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20They're really good bits of kit.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24Tommy knows how to use one from his days in the Marines.
0:16:24 > 0:16:25I was FA2 trained.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31So I can do a bit of first aid, stop you bleeding out if you got shot.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Hopefully, that won't be necessary today.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Tommy takes the kit to the van and tries to reach the chairman again
0:16:39 > 0:16:42to see if he's going to come up with the money.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Hello, Mr Noble, it's the enforcement agent.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47But it's not the news he wanted.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50The chairman still wants to come to an arrangement,
0:16:50 > 0:16:52but without putting any money up front.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Without making that payment now,
0:16:55 > 0:16:57we're not going to be able to facilitate anything
0:16:57 > 0:16:59other than removing what we can.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02We won't just come, leave a letter and then not return.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04I'm sent back to enforce it,
0:17:04 > 0:17:09and I won't leave here today without payment or taking stuff with me.
0:17:09 > 0:17:15Tommy wants at least £3,000 now, but the chairman says he can't pay.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19If you're telling me it's impossible to make any kind of payment today,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22then kind of our conversation's going to come to an end because
0:17:22 > 0:17:24I'm just going to have to carry on with what I'm going to do here.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28Mr Noble, I'll probably be here for the next three hours because
0:17:28 > 0:17:30I'll get the contractors on their way.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32If anything does get sorted, let me know,
0:17:32 > 0:17:34but we're going to carry on with what we're going to do here.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37Right. Not paying anything then.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43It looks like removal is Tommy's only option,
0:17:43 > 0:17:46and he takes his search for assets pitch side.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Two goalposts...
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Which, believe it or not, could be removed,
0:17:50 > 0:17:54although they're not as useful as what's in the outbuildings.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58That's the one. This is exactly what I'm looking for,
0:17:58 > 0:18:01something with a bit of monetary value.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03I'll have the keys, as well.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07But before he can get too carried away,
0:18:07 > 0:18:09he's interrupted by a groundsman.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14Aren't they? Whose are they?
0:18:15 > 0:18:16They're yours?
0:18:20 > 0:18:21Have you got any evidence? Who are you?
0:18:24 > 0:18:27And the groundsman's ownership of the sit-on mower
0:18:27 > 0:18:30isn't the only third-party claim over the goods here.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33The man from the academy is back,
0:18:33 > 0:18:36with proof that it owns the laptops in the clubhouse.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39Ten laptops and the case, the cabinet.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43- If you print this off, I'm happy to leave all the laptops alone, all right?- All right.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49In terms of assets, the football club isn't proving to be rich pickings.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51Tommy's running out of places to look,
0:18:51 > 0:18:54and thoughts wander to Sheriffs FC.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57I'll be a forward, Kev on the wing.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59We'll have Wild in defence, with Ken.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03Alan in goal, Grixy will be our manager.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09Tommy returns to the van to start organising the removal,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12but is interrupted by another phone call.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Let's get this right then,
0:19:14 > 0:19:18you hold the lease for the grounds here and the building?
0:19:18 > 0:19:19Yeah.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23There's been a substitution and a new player is on the pitch.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27It's the landlord, who's got wind that the club's goalposts,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30among other things, might be about to be removed,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33and it sounds like he could be willing to make a payment.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38OK, sir. All right, speak to you in a bit. Bye.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41He's willing to pay on their behalf the 3,000,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44and he'll have it paid by midday tomorrow.
0:19:44 > 0:19:45With limited assets here,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48and other multiple claims over their ownership,
0:19:48 > 0:19:50it's a deal Tommy's prepared to agree to.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54The landlord soon arrives at the club,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57where he meets with Tommy off-camera.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01A controlled goods agreement is signed for the assets listed down,
0:20:01 > 0:20:04and Tommy leaves satisfied.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06With the complexities we had there
0:20:06 > 0:20:08and the amount of third-party claims,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11and with the property being leased by somebody else,
0:20:11 > 0:20:15I think it's a good result, getting the CGA £1,500 per month,
0:20:15 > 0:20:17with the £3,000 paid tomorrow.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20The £3,000 arrived as promised,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23and the company which did the work on the pitch
0:20:23 > 0:20:25has started to receive its money.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38Lawrence and Kev are in Sevenoaks in Kent.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40They've got another High Court writ to enforce,
0:20:40 > 0:20:44this time against a business which specialises in classic cars.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49We are heading to a car garage called Karden Europe.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53They owe £12,963.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56This debt is relating to the sale of a Porsche, I believe.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01The garage they're going to looks well-stocked,
0:21:01 > 0:21:03and the sheriffs are feeling confident.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Little do they know that today is not going to go as well
0:21:06 > 0:21:07as they would hope.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13The case began when taxi driver Nick Lewthwaite from Durham
0:21:13 > 0:21:16was looking to buy a new car for him and his wife.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19After saving up some money and taking a loan,
0:21:19 > 0:21:22they decided to treat themselves to the car of their dreams.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26It was always my ideal thing to have a Porsche 911,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29the most iconic car.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31And when Nick found one on Auto Trader,
0:21:31 > 0:21:33it seemed to be everything they wanted.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37Light metallic blue, matching blue leather.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40It had so many upgrades, it made the car really special.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43Absolutely perfect for what we were looking for.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46The car was some distance away in Kent,
0:21:46 > 0:21:48at a dealers called Karden Europe Limited.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52But Nick made the trip to have a look and met the company director,
0:21:52 > 0:21:54- Andrew Austin. - He seemed very knowledgeable.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57On his website he'd been in the trade for 30 years.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00He explained that he shipped cars all over the world.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02He was a very convincing man.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Nick met the £34,000 asking price with
0:22:05 > 0:22:11the part exchange of his previous car, a BMW, and £15,000 on top.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16He then drove away as the proud owner of a Porsche 911.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Dream come true. It was an absolute dream come true.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23But not everything about the car was perfect.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28After about 100 miles, the clutch started getting slightly heavier
0:22:28 > 0:22:31and it was starting to struggle to go into gear.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34And Nick's wife found it even more difficult.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36She said it was undriveable for her,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39and that's when I rang them up and told them straightaway,
0:22:39 > 0:22:42I said, "There's something not quite right here."
0:22:42 > 0:22:47Mr Austin advised Nick to take it to a specialist who made some repairs,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49but they also made an alarming discovery.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52The car was still on a finance agreement,
0:22:52 > 0:22:54which its previous owner hadn't paid off.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58That means it was still technically owned by the bank.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00I don't know how much was owing on the car,
0:23:00 > 0:23:02but it still had four and a half years to run.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06So I'm effectively paying for a car that I don't own.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10Mr Austin claimed he'd taken out the finance arrangement himself as
0:23:10 > 0:23:12the dealer and would soon clear it,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15but when that didn't happen after a week,
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Nick lost faith and arranged to return the car
0:23:18 > 0:23:20and get his old one back.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22I took the car to a local valeting place,
0:23:22 > 0:23:24I got the car cleaned immaculate,
0:23:24 > 0:23:29and I presented that car back to him in a better way than what I got it.
0:23:29 > 0:23:34He looked round the car and he says, "I'll give you £12,500."
0:23:34 > 0:23:36Which, along with the return of his BMW,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39was £2,500 less than what he paid.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42I said, "Well, you haven't mentioned this on the phone."
0:23:42 > 0:23:46He said, "I've got my loss of profit."
0:23:46 > 0:23:50Eventually Mr Austin offered to reimburse £13,000,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53and Nick decided to accept it for the time being,
0:23:53 > 0:23:55in the form of a cheque.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58I thought, I'll take his cheque for £13,000,
0:23:58 > 0:24:02and I'll take him to the small claims court for the £2,000.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06I'm not going to get into a fist fight over a car.
0:24:06 > 0:24:11Put his cheque into the bank, and unfortunately it bounced,
0:24:11 > 0:24:12it was stopped.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17Mr Austin later made a bank transfer for £3,000,
0:24:17 > 0:24:21but despite Nick chasing time and time again for the rest,
0:24:21 > 0:24:22it never came.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25Eventually he made a claim through the County Courts,
0:24:25 > 0:24:28prompting what seemed like a decent offer.
0:24:28 > 0:24:33He would be happy to settle out of court at £11,400,
0:24:33 > 0:24:36which would be paid within a month. He still never paid it.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42So Nick resumed the court action, and this time the case was heard.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45The judge ruled against Karden Europe,
0:24:45 > 0:24:47in favour of Nick's wife Nicola,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50as the purchase was originally made from her bank account.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53But that judgment hasn't been paid either.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57It was savings and a loan went to buy that car, £15,000,
0:24:57 > 0:25:01an awful lot of money. And he's sitting with my money,
0:25:01 > 0:25:03and I'm sitting with a bank loan.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Now the Lewthwaites have taken the next logical step.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11So we've involved the sheriffs,
0:25:11 > 0:25:16and basically they're probably the last hope to get any money.
0:25:24 > 0:25:29Back in Kent, Lawrence and Kev are about to arrive at Karden Europe.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Kev's notes suggest Mr Austin wants to come to a deal.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36The debtor has actually been in touch with us
0:25:36 > 0:25:38and tried to make an arrangement...
0:25:40 > 0:25:43..but we're going to head over there now and look for full payment.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47I believe that the garage we're going to has got quite a lot of stock,
0:25:47 > 0:25:50of particularly high-value cars.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54So we're hoping that although 12,900 is quite a lot of money,
0:25:54 > 0:25:57probably it would only take one of these cars to cover the debt entirely.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00I just hope they're not owned by someone else.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06The sheriffs pull into the garage and park up.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09A man is on the forecourt.
0:26:11 > 0:26:12- Hi sir, you work here?- Yes.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17It's Andrew Austin, the garage owner,
0:26:17 > 0:26:20but he's interrupted before Lawrence can find out any more.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23In the meantime, he eyes up the stock.
0:26:23 > 0:26:29That's the TR6 that's on the website for 19,995, I believe.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31Lovely. I always wanted one of them when I was younger.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33Is that the original colour, as well?
0:26:33 > 0:26:35Inca yellow, yeah, there's the hardtop for it, look.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37That was a costly extra.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Not all the cars on display here are classics,
0:26:41 > 0:26:44but there's certainly enough to get their teeth into.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46The next question is, who owns them?
0:26:46 > 0:26:50Mr Austin is off the phone, so it's time to find out.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54My name's Mr Grix. My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56We've got a High Court writ against Karden Europe
0:26:56 > 0:26:59in favour of a Mrs Nicola Lewthwaite.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01- Oh, right, yeah. - You've been in touch about it.
0:27:01 > 0:27:07We're here today to take control of goods to the value of £12,963.19.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09- OK.- The only way to prevent further action is to pay in full.
0:27:09 > 0:27:14OK, well we haven't got, Karden Europe wouldn't have that,
0:27:14 > 0:27:16that amount of goods.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Well, there's plenty of stock on here.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22Yeah... But Karden Europe works as a commission-based company.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24- It sells...- Right, so everything's on SOR?
0:27:24 > 0:27:26- Yeah.- Have you got paperwork to that effect?
0:27:26 > 0:27:30- Yeah, pretty much, yeah.- Yeah, if I can see, that's what I need to see.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34Mr Austin says all his cars are sale or return - in other words,
0:27:34 > 0:27:37he's selling them on behalf of their owners for a fee.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41It's exactly what Lawrence and Kev had feared might be the case,
0:27:41 > 0:27:44and Mr Austin seems to have the paperwork to prove it.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Basically, these are sale or return documents
0:27:48 > 0:27:50for every vehicle that we've got here.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53- Can I have a quick look through? - Yeah, sure.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Right, we need to go out and check these.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58I'll give you half, I'll have half.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00They head outside and begin checking
0:28:00 > 0:28:02the documents against every car here.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07Right, I've got the Kangoo...
0:28:07 > 0:28:09I've got the Maserati...
0:28:10 > 0:28:12And one by one, they rule them out.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14There's the Zafira.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17- Polo.- I've got the Merc.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20- You've got the Merc, yeah.- I've got the TR6 and I've got that Morris.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23But there are a few cars which don't seem to be accounted for.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27There's still other vehicles that are on the forecourt that aren't there,
0:28:27 > 0:28:29which is the Alfa...
0:28:29 > 0:28:31the Focus RS...
0:28:31 > 0:28:35The Focus RS is my own personal vehicle.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37- Right.- That's all financed, on finance.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39Right. The Audi?
0:28:39 > 0:28:42- The Audi...- And the black BM 3 series out the back.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44It's on sale or return.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46Right, so we need to see the paperwork for that.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48I haven't got that at this moment in time.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50So you didn't give the person a receipt?
0:28:50 > 0:28:51No.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53That's very...
0:28:53 > 0:28:55Very trusting of him.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01Mr Austin produces more paperwork, to rule out his car and the Alfa,
0:29:01 > 0:29:04leaving just two within Lawrence's reach.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08They're not worth that much, and so he now knows he's not in a position
0:29:08 > 0:29:10to insist on full payment after all.
0:29:10 > 0:29:15His best chance of recovering Nick Lewthwaite's missing money
0:29:15 > 0:29:18might now rest on Mr Austin coming up with a decent offer.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23So what were you initially proposing?
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Well, I was thinking along the lines of I'll be happy to pay something
0:29:26 > 0:29:29like £1,000 a month and reduce the balance that way.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32Right. Can you kick it off with six?
0:29:32 > 0:29:34- When?- Now.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37I can't physically do anything now, that's for sure.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39Physically impossible.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43Right... We need some kind of evidence of that, really, to be honest.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47Mr Austin says the company has no money at all at the moment,
0:29:47 > 0:29:49but Lawrence is sceptical.
0:29:49 > 0:29:53As a business, you can't not be able to get your hands on some kind of money.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55Have you got a bank statement you can show me
0:29:55 > 0:29:58that shows your current financial state for the company?
0:29:58 > 0:30:01No, not physically here.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04But I would think we're about £400 overdrawn.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06- Online?- I can't do it online, no.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09So you haven't got online banking at all?
0:30:09 > 0:30:12No. Well, I have, but I can't physically do it here.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16He does, however, manage to produce a recent e-mail from his bank.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20There you are, look. "I note that the account is overdrawn at 484.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22"Can you please make arrangements to repay this sum."
0:30:22 > 0:30:25- Which we haven't done yet.- Right. - OK?- Yeah.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27- And there's only the one company bank account?- Yeah.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29Whilst I'm not disputing what you're saying,
0:30:29 > 0:30:32it just seems unfathomable to me, to be honest,
0:30:32 > 0:30:34that you've got these vehicles on sale or return.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37So you haven't had to buy them, you just get a bit when you sell it,
0:30:37 > 0:30:39so why has the company got no money?
0:30:39 > 0:30:43- You know...- Because we've paid our bills and we've kept up to date.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46But with absolutely nothing on the table,
0:30:46 > 0:30:48Lawrence is running out of options.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51We need something today to get the ball rolling otherwise
0:30:51 > 0:30:55low value that it is, I'll be obliged to take the Audi
0:30:55 > 0:31:00because there's no evidence obviously that that is on sale or return, and the BM.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02It's a situation they'd rather avoid,
0:31:02 > 0:31:05especially as there's a strong possibility
0:31:05 > 0:31:07that they do belong to customers.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11As the two cars are the only leverage
0:31:11 > 0:31:14the sheriffs have to squeeze any payment out of Mr Austin,
0:31:14 > 0:31:17Lawrence calls his office to organise a tow truck.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22All right...
0:31:22 > 0:31:23Can you give Rob a buzz
0:31:23 > 0:31:27and see what removal trucks he's got available?
0:31:27 > 0:31:29Cheers, bye.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33But rather that than coming up with the money, Mr Austin,
0:31:33 > 0:31:35who's been working away at his computer,
0:31:35 > 0:31:39produces a sale or return document for one of the vehicles.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43It's not on headed paper.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45- Yeah...- That's the only problem.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47Well, not quite.
0:31:47 > 0:31:48It's not the lack of headed paper,
0:31:48 > 0:31:51it's the lack of signature or anything.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56But ten minutes later, that is also rectified.
0:31:56 > 0:31:57Mr Austin pops into the back
0:31:57 > 0:32:01and returns with signed SOR agreements for both cars.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04Lawrence can't quite understand it.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08Right, but you didn't have them just now,
0:32:08 > 0:32:09so how have you got signed copies?
0:32:09 > 0:32:12- I got them sent through.- From where? - From my accounts woman.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17And she's filed and printed them. They've just printed through.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20Sorry, they've come through from your accounts woman?
0:32:20 > 0:32:23Yes. She does it from a remote access.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28Mr Austin is saying the woman who does his accounts has just sent
0:32:28 > 0:32:30the documents remotely to his printer.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32Lawrence doesn't believe him.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35I believe you've just written these up yourself
0:32:35 > 0:32:36and signed them yourself,
0:32:36 > 0:32:38so I'll just leave the trucks on their way.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41I haven't signed them myself, but there you go.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45At this point, Mr Austin says he needs to go and get a car MOTed
0:32:45 > 0:32:47and starts to leave.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49Right, I've got to go.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52- OK then, sir. - I can't leave you in here.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54You can't throw us out, either.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59All right, look, what can I give you in the form of...?
0:32:59 > 0:33:00- You've just said...- No, no.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04- From me personally, what...? - You said you couldn't do anything.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06I will ask the question again,
0:33:06 > 0:33:09which I've asked you repeatedly since I've been here -
0:33:09 > 0:33:12- what can you pay? - Can I give you 500 quid?
0:33:12 > 0:33:15- No, it's not enough.- Well, there you go, that's my personal account,
0:33:15 > 0:33:17with 663 in it.
0:33:17 > 0:33:18I can do you £500 now,
0:33:18 > 0:33:22and then we can sort out the terms of the rest of the deal.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25After seeing a near empty bank account
0:33:25 > 0:33:28and faced with the choice of either £500
0:33:28 > 0:33:30or removing some low-value cars,
0:33:30 > 0:33:33which probably don't belong to him anyway,
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Lawrence has finally pushed it as far as he can.
0:33:38 > 0:33:39He takes the £500
0:33:39 > 0:33:45and gets Mr Austin to sign up to a repayment plan for £1,000 a month.
0:33:47 > 0:33:48There's your receipt and your card.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51You've paid £500 today.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53- Yep.- You've got to pay £1,000 a month.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55- Yep.- If you fail to stick to the arrangement,
0:33:55 > 0:33:58we'll come back and take whatever cars are available at the time.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00Yep.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04It's not the outcome they wanted, but it's all they could do.
0:34:04 > 0:34:10Unfortunately, Karden itself, even though it looks good on paper,
0:34:10 > 0:34:12doesn't appear to really have any assets.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14Basically every vehicle's on sale or return,
0:34:14 > 0:34:17so Mr Austin paid £500 out of his own account,
0:34:17 > 0:34:19basically just to get rid of us
0:34:19 > 0:34:21and I've signed him up to £1,000 a month,
0:34:21 > 0:34:24which, given that there isn't actually any leverage,
0:34:24 > 0:34:27I don't think that was a bad, bad result.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30But, you know, we pushed as hard as we could.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Hopefully he'll stick to it.
0:34:32 > 0:34:36Mr Austin told us that the finance on the Porsche was taken out by his company
0:34:36 > 0:34:40and would have been cleared if the Lewthwaites hadn't returned the car.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42He says he deducted money from
0:34:42 > 0:34:44the refund to cover his costs,
0:34:44 > 0:34:46including extra mileage on the car
0:34:46 > 0:34:47and a screw in one of the tyres.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50He says he only stopped the cheque after
0:34:50 > 0:34:53the Lewthwaites threatened further legal action,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56and he says the company tries to act fairly at all times.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02If you've won a County Court judgment and haven't been paid,
0:35:02 > 0:35:06for £66 you can get the case transferred up to the High Court,
0:35:06 > 0:35:09which will issue a writ for enforcement by the sheriffs.
0:35:09 > 0:35:14My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16They've got special powers of entry.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19We don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24£1.6 million.
0:35:26 > 0:35:27If they're successful,
0:35:27 > 0:35:30they'll recover your money and costs from the debtor.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32Have you got the cash now then?
0:35:32 > 0:35:35As well as their own fees, which are set by the government.
0:35:35 > 0:35:36She's paid, the judgment is settled.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38Thank you very much.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41If the sheriffs can't get your money,
0:35:41 > 0:35:44they'll ask you to pay a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50In the Midlands,
0:35:50 > 0:35:53Tommy is back on the road in pursuit of another unpaid debt.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57This time he's got his trusted partner Craig Wild with him
0:35:57 > 0:36:01and they're about to visit a man who owes a substantial sum of money.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05So we're in the suburbs of Birmingham again today.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08We're off to go and see a Mr Kev Dooley.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12Mr Dooley was taken to court by another man several months ago.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16He didn't defend the case and a judgment was issued against him by default.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20He now owes £7,381.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24The sheriffs have been trying
0:36:24 > 0:36:26to contact Mr Dooley,
0:36:26 > 0:36:27but with no success.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30We've been there numerous times before,
0:36:30 > 0:36:33had no response at all to our letters,
0:36:33 > 0:36:35however there's a number of vehicles...
0:36:36 > 0:36:38..in our guy's name,
0:36:38 > 0:36:41so the intention is today to go and remove them,
0:36:41 > 0:36:45if he's not going to pay the bill or play ball with us.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48They reach Mr Dooley's home address,
0:36:48 > 0:36:53and sure enough two of the vehicles they were hoping to find are there.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57Yeah, so that van, which has got four grand's worth of value...
0:36:57 > 0:36:59There's a Volkswagen van...
0:36:59 > 0:37:01That's free of finance.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03So we need to get a clamp on that.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06And also the CA61 on the drive, yeah?
0:37:06 > 0:37:08..and a Vauxhall hatchback.
0:37:08 > 0:37:09That's 3,200 quid, that car.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13The sheriffs get straight to work.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16Tommy clamps the van, while Craig tries the door.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20As usual, there's no answer.
0:37:22 > 0:37:23There's got to be someone here, hasn't there?
0:37:23 > 0:37:25There's all these cars here.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29The main rubbish bin's completely empty.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32The post is still in the door.
0:37:32 > 0:37:33I've got a phone number.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37- Try ringing him.- He does, but it goes straight to answerphone.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43Hello, this is a message for Mr Kev Dooley.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46I need you to contact me as soon as possible, Mr Dooley. Thank you.
0:37:48 > 0:37:49Let's order the truck.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52- It's all we can do. - It's all we can do, isn't it?
0:37:52 > 0:37:56With Mr Dooley owing upwards of £7,000,
0:37:56 > 0:37:59both vehicles will need to be removed to cover the debt.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02But without keys for the car on the drive,
0:38:02 > 0:38:05and another car blocking access for the tow truck,
0:38:05 > 0:38:08it's not clear if it's going to be possible.
0:38:08 > 0:38:09That's going to be a bit of a nightmare,
0:38:09 > 0:38:13- getting through there, isn't it? On a flatbed.- More than a nightmare.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Tommy's sceptical, but ever the optimist,
0:38:15 > 0:38:20Craig presses ahead and books in the removal of both vehicles.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23If they can get here for about 1:45pm, it'll be fine.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25It's done. Sending two vehicles.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27You're not going to get that out, mate.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Well, if they can't, they can't, let them try first.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31They're the experts, aren't they?
0:38:31 > 0:38:34I think it's going to cause a right headache.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38The sheriffs retreat to the van to wait it out,
0:38:38 > 0:38:40but soon Tommy spots a young man
0:38:40 > 0:38:43who he thinks is taking an unusual amount of interest
0:38:43 > 0:38:46- in what they're up to. - See the red door?
0:38:46 > 0:38:48He's been stood out the front of it watching us the whole time,
0:38:48 > 0:38:50and he's only just gone in there.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52- Could be the son.- Maybe.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54And shortly afterwards,
0:38:54 > 0:38:57the person Tommy's seen comes over to speak to them,
0:38:57 > 0:38:59accompanied by an older man.
0:38:59 > 0:39:00Is it Mr Dooley?
0:39:02 > 0:39:04- Is he?- Yeah, he is.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Any way of getting in contact with him?
0:39:08 > 0:39:10Right.
0:39:10 > 0:39:11The man says he's just a neighbour
0:39:11 > 0:39:15and the debtor is apparently away for another month.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18Tommy explains he's a High Court enforcement agent
0:39:18 > 0:39:19with a writ to execute.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21The problem we've got at the moment, you see,
0:39:21 > 0:39:25is they want us to remove vehicles today, which are registered to him,
0:39:25 > 0:39:28which obviously we don't want to do, we'd rather speak to him
0:39:28 > 0:39:31and get it sorted out, but we need to talk to him, really.
0:39:34 > 0:39:35The only way is money.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39It's not a small amount. I can't discuss the details.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42Is it your father? Oh, OK.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45He would have had letters here.
0:39:45 > 0:39:46He'd have had letters, hand-delivered.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49- When did he go out to Jamaica? - Last week.
0:39:51 > 0:39:52Craig was right.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54The young man is Mr Dooley's son,
0:39:54 > 0:39:57but he's not in a position to stump up several thousand pounds
0:39:57 > 0:39:59on his dad's behalf.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02They can't really help out, to facilitate the payment,
0:40:02 > 0:40:03to stop the vehicles going,
0:40:03 > 0:40:06so unfortunately it's a bit of a bad situation
0:40:06 > 0:40:10and it looks like they're still going to be going.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12But just as the sheriffs are gearing up for the removal,
0:40:12 > 0:40:15a call comes through from the debtor's mother.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19My name's Craig, Craig Wild, I'm an enforcement agent.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21She says that she owns the van,
0:40:21 > 0:40:24so doesn't think the sheriffs can remove it,
0:40:24 > 0:40:27but she's not able to provide proof of her purchase right now.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31She's saying that she's purchased the vehicle for him,
0:40:31 > 0:40:32to put into his business.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35But as we've said, in the absence of proof,
0:40:35 > 0:40:38at this late stage it won't prevent the removal from taking place.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42Before long, the first removal truck arrives
0:40:42 > 0:40:45and the logistical challenge begins.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48Even the van, which was supposed to be the easier of the two,
0:40:48 > 0:40:50turns out to be harder than expected,
0:40:50 > 0:40:53thanks to its long wheelbase.
0:40:53 > 0:40:54I don't think it'll go on.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59Backwards, it doesn't fit, so they try a new strategy.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01If he takes it from the front,
0:41:01 > 0:41:03it will be shorter at the front and you'll be able to get it on,
0:41:03 > 0:41:06and have the back end sticking off the back.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08And this time, they have more success.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14The car, on the other hand, is a different story altogether.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16The issue is the wheel.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20Obviously with a steering lock on like that, to drag it,
0:41:20 > 0:41:21it's going to be a nightmare.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25We've conquered worse.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Tommy's obviously caught Craig's optimism.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32Drag it from there, I think.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36And a plan does indeed come together.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41The Vauxhall is unceremoniously heaved up onto the truck.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46It's not pretty, but it works.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49And the car is also soon on its way.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52- That's good.- Cheers, thanks. Take care, mate.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59Both vehicles will be held for seven days.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01If Mr Dooley doesn't come up with the money,
0:42:01 > 0:42:04and provided the vehicles do belong to him,
0:42:04 > 0:42:05then they'll be sold
0:42:05 > 0:42:09and the claimant will finally receive the money they're owed.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Yeah, a bit of a result.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13We've only been here just over the two hours.
0:42:13 > 0:42:18We made some phone calls and tried to make contact at the address, nothing.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20So it resulted in two vehicles going.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25Following filming, Mr Dooley didn't pay any money towards his debt
0:42:25 > 0:42:29and his Vauxhall has been sold at auction.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32Meanwhile, the ownership of the van is still in dispute
0:42:32 > 0:42:35and the matter is with the courts.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38Mr Dooley told us that he believes he doesn't owe any money
0:42:38 > 0:42:41and that the case against him was unfounded.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44He says he didn't respond to the court paperwork because
0:42:44 > 0:42:46his name was spelt incorrectly,
0:42:46 > 0:42:48so he didn't believe the letters were for him.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51He says he hasn't appealed the judgment
0:42:51 > 0:42:53because of the costs involved.