0:00:02 > 0:00:05- Meet the sheriffs.- My name's Mr Grix, my colleagues and I are enforcement agents.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08- It's to do with a High Court order. - They work for the High Court,
0:00:08 > 0:00:10and 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 > 0:00:20- They can demand payment on the spot. - I'm here for the full balance.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24- How are you going to pay it? - Or remove assets instead.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26The car will be going, unless you can pay it.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30You'll have a week to pay in full before it gets sold at auction.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Obstructing their work can be a criminal offence.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36- I wouldn't do that if I was you. - The door needs to stay open.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Every year in England and Wales, unpaid debts totalling more
0:00:41 > 0:00:45than £80 million are recovered by the sheriffs.
0:00:49 > 0:00:54Coming up... Louise Alderson bought a second-hand car which was
0:00:54 > 0:00:55a deathtrap.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58The back wheels were only holding on by one wheel nut,
0:00:58 > 0:01:02the side impact bars weren't there. I am lucky to be alive.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05But when the sheriffs visit the dealer, it all kicks off.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Lawrence discovers his claimant's not the only one owed money.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Now that you've told me that, if this isn't paid,
0:01:17 > 0:01:20I'm going to be pulling the shutters down and changing the locks.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Ken's got a writ for a multinational giant.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27Look at the size of these buildings! It looks like Cape Canaveral.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31And Lawrence gets tired of being messed around by a beautician.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33Half an hour later, she's still on her way.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35And I'm being told one thing and then another.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42The sheriffs' success is often down to their ability to take
0:01:42 > 0:01:46control of a debtor's goods to use as leverage until they pay up.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50A common ruse used by debtors is to claim their stuff belongs to
0:01:50 > 0:01:52someone else.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54But the sheriffs don't take that at face value,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57and will always do what they can to get to the truth.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Today in the West Midlands, Tommy Coyle and Craig Wild's
0:02:02 > 0:02:06investigative skills are about to be tested.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10We're going back to a job where we've been to before.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15It's a car pound. When we went before, we left notification of our attendance.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17They haven't responded to our paperwork,
0:02:17 > 0:02:19so we're back here again.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24The debtor deals in second-hand cars, and the claimant in the case
0:02:24 > 0:02:26is the Louise Alderson, a teacher who came across
0:02:26 > 0:02:30the company when she was looking for a new car to get her to work.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35My old car had done quite a lot of mileage, it was getting to
0:02:35 > 0:02:37the point where it probably needed a lot of repair work.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40I was looking for another Ford Fiesta.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44And when I spotted a lovely car advertised in Auto Trader,
0:02:44 > 0:02:46it looked really sporty and really attractive.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48And I'd just got married
0:02:48 > 0:02:50and my husband said, "Yeah, spoil yourself."
0:02:50 > 0:02:52So Louise went to have a look...
0:02:52 > 0:02:55and was initially underwhelmed by the dealership.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58My first impression was that actually,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01this isn't what I was expecting, it was in the middle of an
0:03:01 > 0:03:03industrial estate, there was a tip nearby.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05And it didn't have a proper office.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10So I was immediately put off by that, but then when I saw the car
0:03:10 > 0:03:13and saw how lovely it was, and the man,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16the sales guy I spoke to, he came across as very friendly and
0:03:16 > 0:03:20very genuine, very honest, so that changed my mind.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24The Fiesta was £6,000,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27reduced to £5,000 with the part exchange of her old car.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31She took out a loan to pay for it, and drove it away.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35But it wasn't long before she experienced the first sign of trouble.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40About ten miles, maybe 15 miles away, on the way home,
0:03:40 > 0:03:42the engine warning light came on.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46So I pulled over, phoned them up and said this is what's happened,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49and he basically said, "Turn the engine off and turn it back
0:03:49 > 0:03:53"on again, and I assure you it won't come back on." And it didn't.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57But when the same thing happened the following day, Louise began
0:03:57 > 0:04:02to get worried and took the car to a Ford specialist to check it over.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05They found that the car had been badly repaired
0:04:05 > 0:04:08following an accident. And there was a catalogue of problems.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11The welding had been done incorrectly,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13the brake pipe was severely bent.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17The fan... The wiring for the brakes was actually hanging into the fan,
0:04:17 > 0:04:19and all of the electrics, most of them,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22had been disconnected, so it didn't even have air conditioning.
0:04:22 > 0:04:23It was a shock.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26A, I was very emotionally upset, and B,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29I'd just spent the money, couldn't afford, needed a car for
0:04:29 > 0:04:33work and was thinking, "What on earth am I going to do?"
0:04:33 > 0:04:36What she did was get straight on the phone to the dealers.
0:04:37 > 0:04:43They told me that the actual owner was away...abroad at the time.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46And we'd have to wait until the following Monday until he was back.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50That Monday came and went, no call. I phoned them.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53They still said, "Oh, no, he's still not here, you'll have to wait."
0:04:53 > 0:04:55And it was a continuum of that,
0:04:55 > 0:04:57my husband tried to ring them and speak to them as well.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59However, they just kept fobbing me off.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Frustrated, Louise called Trading Standards.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07They sent out an independent vehicle inspector, who found even more
0:05:07 > 0:05:10problems with the car.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14The back wheels were only holding on by one wheel nut.
0:05:14 > 0:05:15He found there had been other damage,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18the side impact bars weren't there.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20He actually said I was very lucky to be alive.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24And that's how I do feel, that I am lucky to be alive.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29Yet even with this damning verdict on the car's dangerous condition,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32the garage still wouldn't commit to giving her a refund.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36It was just a continuum of, "Where's the car, we want the car,
0:05:36 > 0:05:40"meet the car, we'll send somebody out to get the car."
0:05:40 > 0:05:43But never at any point promising to actually pay for it
0:05:43 > 0:05:44at the same time as well.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48And my husband and I had decided that the one thing that we were
0:05:48 > 0:05:52adamant about not happening was for that car to go back on the road.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56So, Louise pursued the dealership through the county courts.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00They didn't defend the case, and she was awarded a default judgment,
0:06:00 > 0:06:03requiring the company to pay her back, plus costs.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06They didn't, and now Louise has turned to the sheriffs as
0:06:06 > 0:06:07a last resort.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11The whole thing has been such an ordeal,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14I've had sleepless nights, I've been ill through it.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17All I can hope is that the sheriffs can get some money back for
0:06:17 > 0:06:19this for me, because if they can't do it, nobody can.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Last time the sheriffs visited the dealership,
0:06:29 > 0:06:31they found a large lot full of vehicles.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34However, it was locked up and no-one was around,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37so all they could do was leave a letter.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42Today, they're back, and it already looks more promising.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45- It's open.- Are you ready?
0:06:45 > 0:06:47So it is open,
0:06:47 > 0:06:49we're going to go straight in now and hopefully confront these people.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Again, there are plenty of cars in the yard,
0:06:54 > 0:06:58and this time the sheriffs have no problem finding someone to speak to.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- Good morning.- How are you?- Not too bad, mate.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- He'll explain it.- Hello, sir, Mr Wild.- Sheriff one, sheriff two. - Is the boss about?
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- He is not here at the moment. - Can he be contacted?
0:07:08 > 0:07:11We need to get him on the phone, basically.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14They don't seem surprised to see the sheriffs,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17and manage to get the company director on the phone.
0:07:19 > 0:07:20Hello, sir.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23It's to do with the High Court writ that's been issued against
0:07:23 > 0:07:28the company for £8,627.07, as it stands at the moment.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33Obviously they've sent us out, they've sent us out to execute this court writ today.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39And it sounds like he's making all the noises Craig likes to hear.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Right. Brilliant.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- Lovely.- Sounds positive.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46It seems that it could be... he's just sorting it out.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51Maybe he got the letter before. So, it could be getting sorted.
0:07:52 > 0:07:57Actually, the situation isn't quite as straightforward as Tommy is hoping.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00The director doesn't want to pay,
0:08:00 > 0:08:03and says the sheriffs can't touch the cars here.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08He's saying that all the stock belongs to another limited company,
0:08:08 > 0:08:12and they're supplying us now more documentation for the cars here.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17In other words, none of the assets here belong to the debtor.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20If so, then the sheriffs will more than likely have to leave
0:08:20 > 0:08:24empty-handed, but they're not going to just take his word for it.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26So what we need to do, we'll just make a list now.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- If we can tick them off.- OK.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32There may be dozens of cars here, but the sheriffs plan to
0:08:32 > 0:08:36check every single one against the paperwork the director provides.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40So they start noting the registration numbers of the cars.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42DY09.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44FG56.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46FG56.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49WP07.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53It's like a maze getting through here, a maze of cars.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56It's going to take some time, but as they only need to find a few
0:08:56 > 0:09:00decent cars belonging to the debtor company, it might be worth it.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Just when they're getting stuck in,
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Craig's interrupted by a phone call from his office.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09The director has sent in some paperwork as promised,
0:09:09 > 0:09:14but it only serves to convince the sheriffs they're on the right track.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16We've had an e-mail in straight away from the director, but they only
0:09:16 > 0:09:21list two cars, which I don't think are even here, to be fair.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25Meanwhile, perhaps unsure themselves of what stock is here,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28the employees are making a list of their own.
0:09:28 > 0:09:29They're taking their own lists.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31If they can supply the evidence that it was bought and paid for by
0:09:31 > 0:09:34a third-party company, rather than our company,
0:09:34 > 0:09:37then we'll be satisfied with that and then we'll walk away.
0:09:37 > 0:09:38If they can't supply that,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41then clearly we'll take it to the next level.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47Later, tempers flare as the sheriffs up the ante.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52LAUGHTER
0:09:52 > 0:09:53Mind that egg.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57Your cameraman!
0:09:57 > 0:10:01If this balance isn't paid, then we are instructed to remove these vehicles.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Using the county courts to try to recover money you're owed
0:10:07 > 0:10:09isn't difficult.
0:10:09 > 0:10:121.5 million money claims are made every year in England and Wales,
0:10:12 > 0:10:17involving anything from faulty goods or poor workmanship to unpaid invoices.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23Claims can be filed by post or online for a small fee.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Both parties in the case will be asked to submit evidence.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29And you may have to attend a court hearing.
0:10:29 > 0:10:30If you're successful,
0:10:30 > 0:10:35a County Court Judgment, or CCJ, will be issued against the debtor.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38And if they still don't pay, that's when you call the sheriffs.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45The sheriffs are often called upon to visit companies
0:10:45 > 0:10:48with cash-flow problems who are struggling to pay their bills.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51Jobs like these can be tricky,
0:10:51 > 0:10:54as the sheriffs are tasked with getting payments for their clients,
0:10:54 > 0:10:58but they'd rather not put anyone out of business in the process.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01This morning, enforcement agent Lawrence Grix is visiting
0:11:01 > 0:11:03a company in Kent.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06We're in the Garden of England today, just near Tonbridge.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10Going to a company called MetCon Sustainable Building Systems.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14It looks like, basically, they haven't paid one of their suppliers.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17MetCon Sustainable Building Ltd has been taken to court by
0:11:17 > 0:11:20a supplier which sold them some steel.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24They didn't defend the case, and so a default judgment was awarded.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28MetCon now owes £5,934.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33It is a trading address.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37And it's a limited company, so hopefully there'll be some assets there.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40And we'll be able to get this resolved.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43But as he pulls up outside the premises, Lawrence is disappointed.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48First impressions, it doesn't look like they've got a lot here,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50to be honest.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52There's a pick-up that's sign-written.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Lawrence, however, is never one to prejudge a situation...
0:12:00 > 0:12:03and heads inside in search of a manager.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10Hello there, sir. Is this MetCon Sustainable Building Systems?
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Lawrence is ushered through to a warehouse.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Who's in charge at the moment?
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Where he explains to the staff the purpose of his visit.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21I'm asking who's in charge here at the moment.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24I've got a High Court writ against this company.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Pretty soon he's handed the director on the phone.
0:12:28 > 0:12:29Hello, sir.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32The director, it seems, knows all about the debt.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35He says the company owes money to a number of people and is
0:12:35 > 0:12:38trying to agree a repayment plan.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40You've sent a proposal for a company voluntary arrangement?
0:12:40 > 0:12:43You say you have got an insolvency practitioner involved, yeah?
0:12:43 > 0:12:47Right, so have you sent the proposal to all your other creditors?
0:12:47 > 0:12:49The business has applied for what's known as
0:12:49 > 0:12:51a company voluntary arrangement.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54That's a legally binding agreement which helps a company with
0:12:54 > 0:12:58cash-flow problems gradually pay off its debts while continuing to trade.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03Such an arrangement would prevent Lawrence enforcing today.
0:13:03 > 0:13:08But it has to be approved by 75% of the company's creditors first,
0:13:08 > 0:13:09and that hasn't yet happened.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Now that you've told me that, it actually doesn't put you in
0:13:14 > 0:13:16a better position, it puts you in a worse position.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21It means I've got to act today to secure this debt for our claimant.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23The company may owe money to a number of parties,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26but Lawrence is working for only one of them.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29What I'm going to do, because there's so much stuff here,
0:13:29 > 0:13:31and it's difficult to remove, I am now going to call
0:13:31 > 0:13:35a locksmith and I'm going to secure the premises. I'm going to change the locks,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38secure the premises and take control of goods on the premises.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40That's my only option.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44Unless, of course, the director is able to pay instead.
0:13:44 > 0:13:50The amount due is £5,934.69.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54If I end up having to secure the premises, basically there's
0:13:54 > 0:13:57going to be another £1,800 plus VAT go onto that.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02OK, then, sir. Thanks, bye-bye.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07Apparently he'd sent a letter to our creditor proposing an
0:14:07 > 0:14:09arrangement last Friday.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12But they've sent the same letter to all the different creditors,
0:14:12 > 0:14:14which basically, from my point of view, escalates it, because it
0:14:14 > 0:14:20now means that I've got to protect our creditor's interest.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23And that means getting paid first before anyone else gets
0:14:23 > 0:14:25a slice of the pie.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28It might seem like Lawrence's threat of bringing down the shutters
0:14:28 > 0:14:31is going nuclear, but it seems to be working.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34He said give him 20 minutes, so I think he's now focused his
0:14:34 > 0:14:38mind a little bit and he's going to try and come up with the money.
0:14:38 > 0:14:4120 minutes later, the director does indeed call back.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44This time asking for bank details.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Right, it's NatWest bank.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49But just as it appears to be heading in the right direction,
0:14:49 > 0:14:50progress stalls.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54No payment is made, and the director keeps asking for more time.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59Another hour passes, and Lawrence is running out of patience.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01I got the gentleman here to phone the director again,
0:15:01 > 0:15:04and he said, "Give him another 15 minutes."
0:15:04 > 0:15:06It's been another 15 minutes, he's trying him again now.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09He's also tried to get a shareholder,
0:15:09 > 0:15:11who apparently is the money man,
0:15:11 > 0:15:15but he's not answering his phone at the moment.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17Not been able to get him, no?
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Although the company seem keen to pay,
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Lawrence is once again forced to consider his options.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29But while he could carry out his threat of securing the premises,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32he's not confident it would result in getting his claimant's money.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34There's not much in the way of assets here,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37it's mainly raw materials, and the preformed bits of building
0:15:37 > 0:15:40that they've already made, which, really, would only be worth scrap value.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45There is a machine for folding the steel, folds it into a
0:15:45 > 0:15:49three-quarter box, which apparently they're about £200,000 new.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Well, obviously this isn't new,
0:15:51 > 0:15:54and unless there's somebody who specifically wants to buy it,
0:15:54 > 0:15:58we'd probably be looking at scrap value for it, to be honest.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00There is the sign-written pick-up,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03but the rest of the vehicles here appear to belong to the staff.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- So that white Transit's yours as well, is it?- Yeah.- OK.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09But then, finally, Lawrence gets another call.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13- This time from the company's shareholder.- Hello, sir.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17Lawrence is hoping he will understand the urgency of the situation.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20I've been here since 11:45,
0:16:20 > 0:16:22so I think I've been more than patient so far.
0:16:22 > 0:16:27I have got to execute this writ to its fullest NOW.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30If this isn't paid, I'm going to be pulling the shutters down and
0:16:30 > 0:16:34changing the locks to secure all the assets on site,
0:16:34 > 0:16:37and we will then conduct an on-site auction.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40It doesn't matter where you are in the world, sir, if you've got
0:16:40 > 0:16:43the funds to make a payment, it can be done from anywhere.
0:16:45 > 0:16:46That's me.
0:16:46 > 0:16:47HE LAUGHS
0:16:48 > 0:16:51I'm the good-looking one with the goatee beard.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54It seems the message has sunk in.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56He's on holiday in Cornwall at the moment.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59You could actually hear seagulls in the background when I spoke to him.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02So he said he's not in a position to actually deal with it himself.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04But he's going to phone his daughter.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07I'm a bit more confident there's going to be some money coming now.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09He apologised for the delay.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13I'll give him a few more minutes just to make a couple of phone calls.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16He's seen the programme, so he knows how it works!
0:17:16 > 0:17:19So, yeah, hopefully it's going to get resolved shortly.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26It does. Lawrence soon confirms with his office that a payment has been made.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29Brilliant, cheers. Bye.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33I shall issue you a receipt.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35My favourite bit.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38We got paid in full in the end. Good job, really.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41No aggression, everybody here was amicable.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43There you go. Thanks very much.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46I'm pleased, certainly for the guys here, that I didn't have to...
0:17:46 > 0:17:51didn't have to lock the doors, which obviously is one of the main
0:17:51 > 0:17:53reasons, I think, it got paid, because they wanted to keep
0:17:53 > 0:17:56the business going and keep the guys employed, so that's it.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58We're out of here.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Cheers, mate. See you later.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03And you.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Lawrence is on his way,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09and the steel supplier who hadn't been paid has now got its money.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14MetCon Sustainable Building Systems Ltd's application to enter a
0:18:14 > 0:18:19company voluntary arrangement with its creditors has now been successful.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32In the West Midlands, Tommy and Craig are at a used-car dealers
0:18:32 > 0:18:36who owe just over £8,500 to Louise Alderson,
0:18:36 > 0:18:40who bought a car from them which was too dangerous to drive.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43The boss of the business claims all the cars on the forecourt
0:18:43 > 0:18:45today belong to another company.
0:18:45 > 0:18:51But he's not here, and so far has e-mailed through paperwork for just two of them.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Now Craig's office have rung to say he's sent two more.
0:18:54 > 0:18:59So he's supplied those four. But no others yet.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02So those four are obviously exempt.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Sheriffs are entitled to do a diligent search of
0:19:05 > 0:19:06a debtor's premises.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09While they wait for the paperwork to trickle in, Craig has a look
0:19:09 > 0:19:13through the filing cabinet to see if he can speed the process up.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16The first thing he finds is a sales ledger.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20The Renault Megane, right there - £2,560.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Good price...
0:19:22 > 0:19:23for you.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26MAN LAUGHS
0:19:26 > 0:19:29It's not long before he discovers some more interesting information -
0:19:29 > 0:19:33logbooks and sales invoices.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36One immediately catches his attention.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40This document here says "purchased from the third-party company",
0:19:40 > 0:19:42and this is for a Subaru that's outside,
0:19:42 > 0:19:46but it's only an 02 plate, and we're after 8,000 quid.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49There's some of these other vehicles as well.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53The document shows that one of the cars outside was bought FROM
0:19:53 > 0:19:57the very company the sheriffs were told owns everything here.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59Something isn't stacking up.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06Before long, Craig's identified a number of other vehicles too,
0:20:06 > 0:20:10and the sheriffs step outside the cabin to confer in private.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- We've got an '09 Renault Clio. These are all here.- Mm-hm.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16The logbooks are in there and the keys are in there as well,
0:20:16 > 0:20:18so the game might be up soon.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Seize this paperwork, then, yeah? They ain't having it back.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Craig reckons if these vehicles don't belong to the other company,
0:20:24 > 0:20:26and they're up for sale in the debtor's yard,
0:20:26 > 0:20:30then they must belong to the debtor.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Confident they're onto a winner, Tommy takes all the keys and
0:20:33 > 0:20:36documents he can from the cabin and locks them in his van.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42Craig calls up the director and gets straight to the point.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45My office have instructed me to let you know that, obviously,
0:20:45 > 0:20:46if this balance isn't paid,
0:20:46 > 0:20:49then we're instructed to remove these vehicles.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53The director still claims the vehicles belong to someone else.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55Sir, I'm not here to argue.
0:20:55 > 0:20:56If you can't provide evidence -
0:20:56 > 0:20:58further evidence, because we've got the evidence here -
0:20:58 > 0:21:01these vehicles will be removed today.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Unless, of course, he's willing to pay.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06OK, so the choice is yours.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10The balance stands at £8,627.07.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13I need an answer from you, and if you want to pay this bill or not.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15That'll be a no, then, yeah? Right.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18It looks like this is about to become a removal job,
0:21:18 > 0:21:20and just as they start making the calls,
0:21:20 > 0:21:23a third man arrives in the office.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25- Hello, my friend. - I don't want no camera in here.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27You've got to get out.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- No, no, no.- We're here for the, erm...
0:21:30 > 0:21:33I don't want no camera in my face, mate, so get out, please.
0:21:33 > 0:21:34Yeah, yeah...
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Although it's not clear who he is,
0:21:36 > 0:21:39one thing that is certain is he's not pleased to see us.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43He tells the cameraman to leave, but then follows him to the road
0:21:43 > 0:21:46and unleashes an extraordinary tirade of abuse.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- White- BLEEP. - Listen, yeah? You dirty- BLEEP.
0:21:49 > 0:21:50You feel me?
0:21:50 > 0:21:55- I'll smack your head all over the floor, you white- BLEEP. BLEEP!
0:21:55 > 0:21:56Have that for the BBC.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58- BLEEP- dirty- BLEEP.
0:21:58 > 0:21:59Feel me? You know what?
0:21:59 > 0:22:01- Dirty- BLEEP!
0:22:02 > 0:22:06Pleased with himself, he heads back to the hut
0:22:06 > 0:22:08and, shortly afterwards, drives off...
0:22:08 > 0:22:10Out my way, mate!
0:22:10 > 0:22:13..but not without once again making known his feelings
0:22:13 > 0:22:14towards the camera.
0:22:14 > 0:22:15Don't film me, mate.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18And he's not done yet -
0:22:18 > 0:22:20ten minutes later, the same man is back,
0:22:20 > 0:22:24this time with a friend in tow, and armed.
0:22:24 > 0:22:25With eggs.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31All right, all right... Lads...
0:22:31 > 0:22:33- MEN LAUGH - That man got egged!
0:22:33 > 0:22:36The men run off, still hurling abuse.
0:22:38 > 0:22:39Yeah, you're on camera, mate!
0:22:39 > 0:22:41MAN YELLS INDISTINCTLY
0:22:41 > 0:22:44As they leave, one throws a rock.
0:22:44 > 0:22:45- Come on, then, you- BLEEP!
0:22:45 > 0:22:49What connection, if any, they have to the dealership is unclear,
0:22:49 > 0:22:53and the salesman left behind takes a very different approach.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Are you OK?
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Tommy, meanwhile, is unfazed.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00We've just been attacked with eggs,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03and they're trying to film it and stuff, so just...
0:23:03 > 0:23:05They look like young lads being idiots,
0:23:05 > 0:23:08but we're going to get the police here now, cos assault's happened.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10It's a bit unfortunate, but part of the job.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13The cameraman's coat's come off worse for wear,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16but luckily no-one's hurt...
0:23:16 > 0:23:18More of it's on your head, mate.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22..and the men have vanished by the time the police arrive.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Are you all right? It's just that they've ran off.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26- They jumped our cameraman, basically...- OK.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28..smashed eggs on him, started throwing rocks at him.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30- A rock just skimmed his head.- OK.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34- And we got you... Obviously, we called you guys.- All right.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37After speaking to our cameraman, the police head into the cabin.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40They're just going to make a bit of an investigation.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43There was threats made of...that they were going to petrol-bomb us,
0:23:43 > 0:23:44and that they were going to come back,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47so obviously we have to take these things seriously,
0:23:47 > 0:23:50especially the fact they were throwing rocks.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Craig, meanwhile, has made some progress -
0:23:53 > 0:23:56a friend of the director arrived during the disturbance on the road.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00He's now leaving, but it seems he wants to get the debt paid.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Luckily for us,
0:24:03 > 0:24:07a friend arrived and managed to talk round the situation to him,
0:24:07 > 0:24:10and it's more cost-effective to pay it now and challenge it later,
0:24:10 > 0:24:12which is exactly what he's going to try and do,
0:24:12 > 0:24:15so, as we speak now, the money's on its way.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17We'll be about another half an hour,
0:24:17 > 0:24:19so we're just getting the receipt ready,
0:24:19 > 0:24:22so, as soon as it turns up, we can count it and be on our way.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28Satisfied the situation has calmed down, the police leave,
0:24:28 > 0:24:33and soon word comes through that the money is ready for collection.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36One of the salesmen goes to pick it up.
0:24:36 > 0:24:41When he returns 45 minutes later, the sheriffs are expectant.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Oh, look, he's got an envelope.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46- Have we got it? Yeah? - There we go.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Have you got the money?
0:24:48 > 0:24:50- No money?- No.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52- No money at all?- No, man.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54- Well, where did you go? - TOMMY LAUGHS
0:24:54 > 0:24:57The man has returned empty-handed.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01That's wasting our time, now - it's as simple as that.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03He said he was going to get the money.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Quite what has caused the apparent change of heart isn't clear,
0:25:06 > 0:25:08but Craig no longer cares,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11and once again gets the director on the phone.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Your man's come back without the money,
0:25:13 > 0:25:17so my office has just told us to start removing the vehicles now.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19There's six vehicles to have away.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22No problem, then, sir. Thanks a lot. Bye-bye.
0:25:22 > 0:25:23Done now?
0:25:23 > 0:25:26"Do so as you wish," he said, so that's fine by me.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30All right, then, Tommy-boy, let's get these cars done now, shall we?
0:25:32 > 0:25:35Later, the job goes right up to the wire,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38as the company makes more promises of payment.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Here we go. He's back.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Is it...? Have you got the cash now, then?
0:25:43 > 0:25:44Let's have a look at it.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55When debtors can't pay on the spot...
0:25:55 > 0:25:58I'm assuming that you haven't got £5,000.
0:25:58 > 0:25:59Oh, dear.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02..the sheriffs won't always remove assets to get your money.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Goods go for about a fifth of their true value at auction,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08and it's often better to agree to a payment plan.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10If you can come up with half of it today...
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Do you reckon you can do 200 a week?
0:26:13 > 0:26:15They'll make a list of assets...
0:26:15 > 0:26:18They've got an ice machine, bar-chilling cabinets...
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Television, PlayStation...
0:26:20 > 0:26:22..and a controlled goods agreement is signed,
0:26:22 > 0:26:26making it an offence for anyone else to remove them...
0:26:26 > 0:26:29When you sign the form, it acts as security.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32..and the sheriffs will only return to take the goods if the debtor
0:26:32 > 0:26:35fails to make payments.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37I've signed him up for £1,000 a month.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Providing you stick to that, you won't hear from us again.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48Cases the sheriffs take on come in all shapes and sizes.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52Debts start at £600, but can reach well into the millions,
0:26:52 > 0:26:55and the debtors are anything from one man and his dog
0:26:55 > 0:26:57to huge corporations.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01For enforcement agent Ken Warby, today's first job is the latter.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05Well, this morning, we are off to a company called Procter & Gamble -
0:27:05 > 0:27:10huge company, soaps and toothpastes and suchlike,
0:27:10 > 0:27:13distributing to many of the big superstores.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17To be specific, Ken's writ is for a division of the corporation
0:27:17 > 0:27:20called Procter & Gamble Product Supply UK Limited,
0:27:20 > 0:27:25which owes a man £3,108 in legal costs...
0:27:30 > 0:27:33..but Ken's not fazed by the company's stature.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35I prefer the bigger companies, actually.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Yeah. They look after you. Usually got...
0:27:37 > 0:27:39They usually offer you a cup of tea.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42They also shouldn't have a problem coming up with a few grand,
0:27:42 > 0:27:46but how straightforward it'll be is likely to boil down to what
0:27:46 > 0:27:50exactly is at the address he's been given, which is in Essex.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52I think this is an office premises we're going to visit,
0:27:52 > 0:27:55so there should be some assets there.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58I would imagine, a company of this size,
0:27:58 > 0:28:03they will have a head office that would do any payments,
0:28:03 > 0:28:07so I wouldn't imagine the payment would probably come from here.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09But as Ken approaches his destination,
0:28:09 > 0:28:13it becomes clear it's not what he was expecting.
0:28:13 > 0:28:14"P&G London".
0:28:14 > 0:28:16I think we're going in the right direction.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19Instead of a small office with a car park,
0:28:19 > 0:28:22his sat nav has led him to a sprawling industrial site.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25Look at the size of these buildings! Look at the size of them!
0:28:25 > 0:28:27They all seem to be Procter & Gamble,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30and Ken's got no idea where he's going.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33There's no signs up or anything.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35Where would the office be?
0:28:35 > 0:28:37It's got to be around here somewhere.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39I... I can smell soap.
0:28:39 > 0:28:44Eventually, he's directed to a car park outside a chemical plant.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46It looks like Cape Canaveral.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49What kind of assets he could possibly remove from
0:28:49 > 0:28:51a place like this isn't clear.
0:28:51 > 0:28:56Still, he tracks down reception and heads in,
0:28:56 > 0:28:58but before he can utter a word...
0:29:00 > 0:29:02Erm... No, sir. Can you turn that off?
0:29:02 > 0:29:04..our cameraman's asked to leave.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10Inside, Ken begins the task of retrieving the claimant's money.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13He knows all too well that turning up unannounced at the doors
0:29:13 > 0:29:16of huge companies often causes confusion.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20Half the battle is usually finding someone on site who knows
0:29:20 > 0:29:24about the debt or has the authorisation to make a payment.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28This time, Ken gets lucky, and the reception staff manage to
0:29:28 > 0:29:30track someone down who knows about the case -
0:29:30 > 0:29:33even better, they agree to pay it.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35So far, so good -
0:29:35 > 0:29:38only, it turns out not to be that simple.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42Two hours after walking in, Ken comes back out empty-handed.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45They've tried to make the payment by American Express.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48Unfortunately, we don't take American Express,
0:29:48 > 0:29:51and they are the only cards that they've got on the premises.
0:29:51 > 0:29:57So we've had to wait around for the office to contact their head office,
0:29:57 > 0:30:02that isn't here, to make a bank transfer or an alternative card.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04Hopefully they'll do it.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07Ken's hardly worried about the company's ability to pay.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11Although the name on his writ is for one of its UK subsidiaries,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14Procter & Gamble is an American multinational giant,
0:30:14 > 0:30:18with a turnover running into many billions of pounds,
0:30:18 > 0:30:22but, after being here two hours, Ken would rather not have to wait
0:30:22 > 0:30:25much longer for payment, and he doesn't have to.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29The head office have been able to access another card,
0:30:29 > 0:30:33not an Amex card, and the payment's gone through.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36It all went smoothly, really. I didn't have to raise my voice.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39They knew from the off that they owed the money.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42And that means Ken never had to seriously consider removing
0:30:42 > 0:30:45assets from the chemical plant, although he did threaten it.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49I told them my intentions were to list items and have them removed.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51It's not going to happen for a small debt
0:30:51 > 0:30:53for a company of this size.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57If it was, it would end up a right soap story. Excuse the pun.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03Back in the south-east, Lawrence is in the van,
0:31:03 > 0:31:06on his way to enforce another debt.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09He's looking for a businesswoman who, it seems,
0:31:09 > 0:31:11hasn't paid some of her invoices.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13We're in west London.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16We've got a writ against a lady called Nara Simonyan,
0:31:16 > 0:31:19trading as Nara Health & Beauty, so we're off to a beauty parlour.
0:31:19 > 0:31:20It looks quite big.
0:31:20 > 0:31:25The lady owes £2,200 or thereabouts,
0:31:25 > 0:31:28and it's for multimedia marketing which she hasn't paid for.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33The marketing firm has taken Miss Simonyan to court,
0:31:33 > 0:31:35and when she didn't defend the case,
0:31:35 > 0:31:38awarded a judgment against her by default.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42She now owes a grand total of £2,201.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54Lawrence pulls up outside the salon and goes in.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01Hello there. Good morning. I'm looking for Nara Simonyan.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07She's not in yet. Are you able to get her on the phone at all?
0:32:09 > 0:32:10I'll show you some identification as well.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12My name's Mr Grix. I'm an enforcement agent.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16I've got a High Court writ to execute against Nara,
0:32:16 > 0:32:18so it's vital that I speak to her.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22The staff member manages to get through to
0:32:22 > 0:32:26Miss Simonyan straight away, and Laurence is handed the phone.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28Thank you.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30Hello there.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32I've got a High Court writ today against you.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35I believe it's for unpaid multimedia marketing.
0:32:36 > 0:32:42OK, I'm here today to take control of goods to the value of £2201.10.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48Yes, goods which can be removed and sold at auction.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52You're going to do that now, yeah?
0:32:52 > 0:32:54OK.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Thank you.
0:32:56 > 0:32:57Bye-bye.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00So far, so good.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04Well, she's immediately said, "Oh, don't take anything. I'll pay."
0:33:04 > 0:33:05She said it might take about half an hour,
0:33:05 > 0:33:07and then she's going to let them know here
0:33:07 > 0:33:09once she's made the payment.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12- She said she's going to contact you when she's done it...- OK.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15..and I'll be able to check with my office.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17It looks like a textbook job,
0:33:17 > 0:33:21but several minutes later there seems to be a change of plan.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23Is she coming here now, is she?
0:33:23 > 0:33:25So, how far...?
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Oh, she's really close, is she?
0:33:31 > 0:33:34Not as far as I'm concerned - I've got a High Court writ.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Miss Simonyan's belief that the matter is still in court is
0:33:37 > 0:33:39a worrying development for Lawrence,
0:33:39 > 0:33:42especially when, after another 30 minutes waiting around,
0:33:42 > 0:33:46there's no sign of either the debtor or the money.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48A half-hour later, she's still on her way,
0:33:48 > 0:33:52it's going to be 15 minutes, and the case is back in court.
0:33:52 > 0:33:53It's...
0:33:53 > 0:33:56No, it doesn't... It doesn't bode well.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59I don't like being told one thing and then another.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01And soon the staff weighed in,
0:34:01 > 0:34:03saying the matter is still in dispute,
0:34:03 > 0:34:06and they don't think their boss should have to pay.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08Lawrence tries to set them straight.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10The judgment was entered.
0:34:10 > 0:34:11She didn't pay it,
0:34:11 > 0:34:14so they've transferred it to the High Court for enforcement purposes.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20It's not still in the court. It's not still in the court.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24There is a High Court writ.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26She may have a hearing at the court,
0:34:26 > 0:34:30but whatever she's done to get that hearing hasn't affected the writ.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33Lawrence is beginning to wonder whether Miss Simonyan
0:34:33 > 0:34:35really is going to pay,
0:34:35 > 0:34:38and starts to consider his options in case she doesn't.
0:34:42 > 0:34:43Yeah, I know, I'm just having a look round.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46I'm not removing anything yet.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49But she said, initially, she was making the payment,
0:34:49 > 0:34:52and now she's coming here, so...
0:34:57 > 0:34:58In an effort to lighten the mood,
0:34:58 > 0:35:02the staff offer to do Lawrence's nails while he waits,
0:35:02 > 0:35:04but he's not convinced he needs their help.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07I cut my fingernails regularly, with my teeth.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12Besides, there may not be time to rectify the damage done by
0:35:12 > 0:35:14Lawrence's hand-care techniques.
0:35:18 > 0:35:19All right.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22Apparently, the debtor is actually in the bank now.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29So...hopefully she's making the payment.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33She is, and soon confirmation comes through in the form of
0:35:33 > 0:35:35a photo of the paying-in slip.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40- Looks clear enough. Are you able to text that to me?- Yeah.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44Ms Simonyan has paid the £2,200 owing
0:35:44 > 0:35:46and Lawrence makes a hasty retreat...
0:35:46 > 0:35:49- Thank you.- Thank you.- Goodbye.- Bye.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51..before anyone can suggest a facial.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54That went quite smoothly in the end, really.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57There was a phone call saying she was on her way and the case
0:35:57 > 0:36:00was back in court, et cetera, et cetera, so, for a while,
0:36:00 > 0:36:04I thought she was coming down to have an argument rather than pay
0:36:04 > 0:36:06but then it turns out she was in the bank all along.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09Texted over a photo of the paying-in slip to one of her friends
0:36:09 > 0:36:11in there and the payment was in.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15The marketing company whose invoices went unpaid will now get
0:36:15 > 0:36:16the money they're owed.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26Back in the West Midlands, Tommy and Craig are still at the car dealers.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30They've been there for four hours hoping to collect more than
0:36:30 > 0:36:33£8,500 on behalf of a customer,
0:36:33 > 0:36:37Louise Alderson, who was sold a dangerous second-hand car.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40It's been a very tense day.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43We've been pelted with eggs...
0:36:43 > 0:36:45MEN LAUGH
0:36:45 > 0:36:47..and rocks...
0:36:49 > 0:36:52..by two young men whose connection to the garage is unclear.
0:36:52 > 0:36:53Don't film me, mate!
0:36:53 > 0:36:57Meanwhile, the boss finally agreed to pay, before his courier
0:36:57 > 0:36:59turned up without the cash.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03- No money.- No.- No money at all?
0:37:03 > 0:37:05Enough is enough.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08And the sheriffs have now ordered low loaders to come and remove
0:37:08 > 0:37:10a total of six cars from the yard.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14So, the money hasn't arrived,
0:37:14 > 0:37:17I think what they're trying to do is just blag for time, I think.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20I spoke to my office, they're organising the transport
0:37:20 > 0:37:22now and then we'll take it from there.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Tommy parks the van in the entrance to prevent anyone from trying to
0:37:27 > 0:37:29shut the gates.
0:37:29 > 0:37:34As he does so, he spots a car waiting in the street outside.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37- I think them lads are back here. - In that car, are they?
0:37:37 > 0:37:39I think that's them, yeah.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42It's not clear who's in the car or what, if anything, they plan to do.
0:37:44 > 0:37:49Either way, it is clear the tension of this job is getting to everyone.
0:37:49 > 0:37:54No money has arrived and it's cold. Freezing.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57I need to go home, I need to lie down.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01But after another chat with his boss, the man says they're
0:38:01 > 0:38:05struggling to raise the money and comes forward with an offer.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07- OK.- Yes, my friend?
0:38:07 > 0:38:10Is there no possibility at all you can take half the money now
0:38:10 > 0:38:13and take the other half on a bank transfer or something?
0:38:13 > 0:38:16I can't help you, my friend.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20After four tense hours here, and with a bunch of cars they could
0:38:20 > 0:38:24remove, the sheriffs are in no mood whatsoever to do a half-price deal.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27I don't really believe what they're saying,
0:38:27 > 0:38:29especially the way they've messed us around now.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33It's going to go to removal so we're looking to get the six cars gone.
0:38:33 > 0:38:38The car outside, at least, has gone without any further mischief.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41The prospect of vehicles being imminently removed is definitely
0:38:41 > 0:38:45- making the company's attempts to raise the cash more urgent.- Hello?
0:38:45 > 0:38:48The problem is, now that six low loaders are on the way,
0:38:48 > 0:38:50they'll have to pay for those too.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53- 250 plus the VAT times six.- Six...
0:38:53 > 0:38:55- 1,800 quid, isn't it?- Yeah. Just coming up 1,800 quid.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58- How long has he got before... - Done. The truck's on the way.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00It's kind of too late, isn't it, now?
0:39:00 > 0:39:02You had the chance over an hour ago.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06What can you do?
0:39:10 > 0:39:12They don't want to pay the extra fees,
0:39:12 > 0:39:15and in an effort to get the removal called off,
0:39:15 > 0:39:17again promise that someone's on the way with cash.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22He's going to be back in 15 minutes maximum. Cancel it, yes?
0:39:22 > 0:39:25- I can't cancel it. - No, no... You have to.
0:39:25 > 0:39:26I can't. How long have we been here?
0:39:26 > 0:39:29- I know, I know, I know, I understand that.- I ain't cancelling it.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31I'm not cancelling it at all.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36Craig is no longer interested in promises, only payment.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39As far as he's concerned, it's just a case of waiting to see
0:39:39 > 0:39:43which turns up first, the removal trucks or the money.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46Here we go, he's back.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53It's the staff member who was sent for the money the last time
0:39:53 > 0:39:55but came back empty-handed.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57What's going to happen now?
0:39:58 > 0:40:02Is it... Have you got the cash there now? How much have you got?
0:40:02 > 0:40:05- Got £8,927.- Let's have a look at it.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10He says he's come back with £300 more than the sheriffs asked for at
0:40:10 > 0:40:12the beginning of the day.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15But that's now not enough, because of the extra fees.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18Craig calls his office.
0:40:18 > 0:40:24Lawrence, there's a whole bundle of cash here now, which is 8,900 quid.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28How much do we need to call this all to a halt?
0:40:28 > 0:40:31According to Lawrence, so far only one removal truck has
0:40:31 > 0:40:35actually set off, so they'll settle for just one cancellation fee.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38Yeah, cheers, mate. Ta-ra, goodbye.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43Which means, provided the cash adds up, this job might finally be over.
0:40:43 > 0:40:4544 20s...
0:40:45 > 0:40:495, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13...
0:40:49 > 0:40:51All looking good so far.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58The gentleman has paid, at the moment, £8,900.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01And with the contents of the salesman's pocket...
0:41:01 > 0:41:04- I've got 70 as well. - Thank you, my friend.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08..they've come up with enough to satisfy the writ and the sheriffs.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12The tow trucks are called off, Craig finishes writing out the receipt
0:41:12 > 0:41:18he started two hours ago and Tommy gives back their keys and paperwork.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20They've earned these back now.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26All your keys and all the logbooks.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Take care of yourself. Yeah, sorry about any misunderstanding.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31- No, it's fine. - Sorry about the...
0:41:31 > 0:41:33I do apologise and have a safe journey home.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36- Yeah, and you, you take care of yourself, mate.- OK.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41It's taken all day, but with the job finally in the bag,
0:41:41 > 0:41:43the sheriffs are all smiles.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47So, a massive ordeal for us today, bit of drama with the police,
0:41:47 > 0:41:49but finally we won the battle.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52It ended up being exactly what we wanted in the end.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54THEY LAUGH
0:41:54 > 0:41:58The debtor company later appealed the judgment against them
0:41:58 > 0:42:00but a judge rejected their case
0:42:00 > 0:42:03and Louise was finally given back her money.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07If the sheriffs were here now, I'd give them all a big hug and a
0:42:07 > 0:42:09kiss because they've done an amazing job.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12I never thought anyone would be able to get the money,
0:42:12 > 0:42:14it's just fantastic news.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17And it didn't end there.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20Trading Standards subsequently prosecuted the business for
0:42:20 > 0:42:23misdescribing the Fiesta in their advert and for selling Louise
0:42:23 > 0:42:27a dangerous and unroadworthy vehicle.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31They were fined a total of £7,500.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34The best outcome was that the car had a destruction order on it
0:42:34 > 0:42:37and therefore that car will never get back on the road.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40For Louise, it's the end of a long ordeal.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43I'm absolutely relieved, and now it's over, yes,
0:42:43 > 0:42:46maybe I can start to relax and look forward to
0:42:46 > 0:42:50one day buying a new car when I feel more confident about doing so.