0:00:02 > 0:00:05- Meet The Sheriffs...- My name is Mr Grix, my colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07It's to do with a High Court order...
0:00:07 > 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 > 0:00:21How are you going to pay it?
0:00:21 > 0:00:23..or remove assets, instead.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26The car will be going unless you can pay it.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29You'll have a week to pay in full, before it gets sold at auction.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32Obstructing their work can be a criminal offence.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34I wouldn't do that if I were you.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36The door needs to stay open.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Every year in England and Wales,
0:00:40 > 0:00:44unpaid debts totalling more than £80 million are recovered by
0:00:44 > 0:00:45the sheriffs.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54Coming up... Kate Killick is owed three months rent after her student
0:00:54 > 0:00:57lodger suddenly left without warning.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00He rang me one day to say he'd been kicked off the course,
0:01:00 > 0:01:01and basically said "tough",
0:01:01 > 0:01:05and had no sense that he was ever going to pay the money back.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08But when Tommy and Craig confront the man,
0:01:08 > 0:01:10he's reluctant to face the facts.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16You need to address this, Mr Akbar, otherwise it will be going.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21Lawrence is on the trail of £30,000 owed by a financial adviser.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25Hello there, sir, looking for Joseph Miller, would that be yourself?
0:01:25 > 0:01:28He might not have the cash, but he does have a car.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Silver Citroen, have a look round the corner,
0:01:31 > 0:01:32see if he drives off in it.
0:01:32 > 0:01:37Ken's chasing a debt owed by an asbestos specialist with cash flow problems.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41I can't just accept £900 at the moment, no.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45But are the company's assets too dangerous to remove?
0:01:45 > 0:01:46You need a mask, etc.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50That is a lot of aggravation, to move anything in there.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00In the Midlands, enforcement agents Tommy Coyle and Craig Wild are up
0:02:00 > 0:02:04early. They're in pursuit of a debtor who Craig is convinced has
0:02:04 > 0:02:08been avoiding him, and they're about to knock on his door.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11On this very damp morning, we're over to Birmingham.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15We're off to go and see a Mr Ali Akbar,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18who has had several visits from ourselves and notifications have
0:02:18 > 0:02:20been left on every single time.
0:02:20 > 0:02:21He's failed to respond to it.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Mr Akbar has been taken to court for unpaid rent.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28The claimant is Kate Killick,
0:02:28 > 0:02:32a beauty therapist and a single mum with two children.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36She first met Mr Akbar when she was hoping to make some extra cash by
0:02:36 > 0:02:39renting out a spare room in the family home.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42The extra income is really important,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45because it's whether or not you have a really nice Christmas,
0:02:45 > 0:02:48you haven't got to worry about presents for the children.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52I don't think anyone really wants a stranger living in their house, but,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55you know, sometimes you have to do things.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Kate lives in Shoreham in Sussex,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01and to find a lodger, she contacted the local airport.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05They have a flying school and are often looking for host families to
0:03:05 > 0:03:07accommodate trainee pilots.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12The college put her in touch with Mr Akbar, and she agreed to take him in.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17Yeah, when I first met Ali he just seemed like a reasonably nice,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19young person.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21I think he was 20 or 21.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26Initially he was paying £125 a week, with breakfast,
0:03:26 > 0:03:30but he never got up for breakfast, so I just dropped it to 100,
0:03:30 > 0:03:31it seemed fairer.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35And in many ways Mr Akbar was the ideal lodger.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37He was hardly ever here.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42He did go out every evening and he didn't get home till the early hours
0:03:42 > 0:03:43of the morning,
0:03:43 > 0:03:47and when I left for work in the morning, was still in bed.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50So I never really saw him, it was perfect, really,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52from that point of view.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55What wasn't so perfect was that after several months,
0:03:55 > 0:03:57he began to fall behind with his rent.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59But at first, Kate wasn't worried.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01When I questioned him,
0:04:01 > 0:04:05he said his mum was out the country and he'd have to wait till she got
0:04:05 > 0:04:07back in the country and he'd get the rent.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11And because she'd paid so much for these college courses and he's got
0:04:11 > 0:04:13another year or so, you know,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16I just thought that they'd be good for the money.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19But after Kate hadn't received her rent for three months,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22Mr Akbar suddenly pulled the plug on their arrangement.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24He rang me one day to say he'd gone into college
0:04:24 > 0:04:26and he'd been kicked off the course.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29So, he'd literally packed his stuff up and gone,
0:04:29 > 0:04:34and basically said "Tough", I wouldn't be able to get the rent
0:04:34 > 0:04:36money, the arrears.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40He just appeared to not even have any sense of responsibility
0:04:40 > 0:04:44or that he was ever going to pay the money back.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47I did say I would go through the small claims court and he just
0:04:47 > 0:04:50basically said, "Good luck with that".
0:04:50 > 0:04:54For Kate, it was an upsetting end to the relationship.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56I am very angry with Ali,
0:04:56 > 0:05:00because you welcome someone into your home and treat them almost like
0:05:00 > 0:05:02a member of the family,
0:05:02 > 0:05:05give them a lot of trust and believe in their honesty,
0:05:05 > 0:05:07and they let you down.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11And it's a lot of money to lose, £1,500.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14So, just as she'd promised to do,
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Kate pursued Mr Akbar through the courts -
0:05:16 > 0:05:19a process she found straightforward.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22And she wasn't surprised at the outcome.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27There was a court date set to explain his side and he didn't turn up.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30A default judgment was awarded in her favour,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33but Kate suspected that wouldn't be the end of it.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Just because someone's told they've got to pay you the money,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39they're not going to do it.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42So I went online to see what my options were,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45and that's when I found out about the sheriffs.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47It's now down to the sheriffs to get back her lost
0:05:47 > 0:05:49rent, plus costs and fees.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51100%, the sheriffs are my last hope,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54because I know he's not going to pay the money.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56He just seems to have buried his head in the sand,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59he doesn't think he owes me the money.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01He doesn't think there's a legal way that I can get the money,
0:06:01 > 0:06:04so he's going to have a surprise.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15In Birmingham, enforcement agents Tommy and Craig are arriving at
0:06:15 > 0:06:19Mr Akbar's home. They've been here many times before without any joy,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22and are now hoping all the legwork they've put in
0:06:22 > 0:06:24is finally about to pay off.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28We've noted a vehicle a couple of times that has been there,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31it's a sporty Vauxhall.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34The DVLA check has come back on that vehicle,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36the registered keeper is down to him.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40So today's job is to go there, knock the door again, if the car's there,
0:06:40 > 0:06:45we'll clamp it straightaway, and we'll try and raise him to the door.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48And if he wants to pay it, then that's fine, we'll deal with that,
0:06:48 > 0:06:50and if not, unfortunately his car's got to go.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53We want payment at the end of the day, we don't want to take
0:06:53 > 0:06:56the vehicle, it's just, it's come to this.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00The sheriffs approach Mr Akbar's house with anticipation...
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Go right at the end, it'll be on the left-hand side.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06..their eyes peeled for the prize asset.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- There it is, that white car there. - That's his car?- That's his car.
0:07:09 > 0:07:10I'll park behind it, then.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13That's a really good look.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15There's the white car, there's the VXR.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Tommy blocks the car in
0:07:17 > 0:07:19and they get straight to work.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- Right, that's on.- You done?- Done.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41But, just like Craig's previous visits, there's no answer.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51- Brr!- Mr Akbar, it's Mr Wild from the sheriff's office.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53If you fail to come to the door,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56we'll have to deal with the court order by removing the Astra.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03This is what I get all the time here, just no answer.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06They're in, but they just don't answer the door.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09And after a few more minutes of trying with no response,
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Craig sets the wheels in motion.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16I'm just going to phone the tow truck now.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Hello, it's Craig. Yes, my friend, not too bad.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22When we clamp a vehicle and immobilise it, we have to wait
0:08:22 > 0:08:25two hours, giving them a chance, really, to resolve it,
0:08:25 > 0:08:28even though we've been knocking at the door.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30It normally takes well over an hour for the transport to get here,
0:08:30 > 0:08:33so that's why Craig's organising it now.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35By the time they get here, the two hours will be up.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Yeah, we want you here about quarter past ten.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41All right, my friend, cheers, thanks a lot, bye-bye.
0:08:41 > 0:08:42Contractors are all booked now,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45so the cost of that will go on top of their bill.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48In our experience, once the tow truck turns up with its amber lights
0:08:48 > 0:08:52flashing and the engine revving, that usually brings them to the door,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55but, as you can see, we tried this morning to get him to the door,
0:08:55 > 0:08:58but their attitude is that if they don't open the door, we'll go away.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01But unfortunately this time, we won't.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Later, it's a reality check for Mr Akbar,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07as Tommy and Craig lay down the law.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09She's gone to court because...
0:09:09 > 0:09:12I'm not mad, blud. No, I'm not mad, I'm not mad.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16I'm not a bailiff, no, I'm a High Court enforcement agent.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23Using the County Courts to try to recover money you're owed isn't
0:09:23 > 0:09:28difficult. 1.5 million money claims are made every year in England and
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Wales, involving anything from faulty goods or poor workmanship,
0:09:32 > 0:09:34to unpaid invoices.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39Claims can be filed by post or online for a small fee.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Both parties in the case will be asked to submit evidence.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46And you may have to attend a court hearing. If you're successful,
0:09:46 > 0:09:51a County Court Judgment or CCJ will be issued against the debtor.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55If they still don't pay, that's when you call the sheriffs.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01Success for the sheriffs is often down to the value of goods they can
0:10:01 > 0:10:03find that are owned by the debtor.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07Even with a court order in hand, demanding the large sums without
0:10:07 > 0:10:10expensive assets to use as leverage can be very difficult.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17This afternoon, Lawrence Grix is alone in South London.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20He might not have sidekick Kev with him, but he does have
0:10:20 > 0:10:23a High Court writ for a substantial amount of money.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26I'm just off to Thornton Heath at the moment,
0:10:26 > 0:10:29to a gentleman called Joseph Miller
0:10:29 > 0:10:35who's got the estate agents, financial services type office.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39He owes just over £30,000.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43The claimant said she gave her savings to Mr Miller to put in an
0:10:43 > 0:10:46investment scheme,
0:10:46 > 0:10:50but later when she wanted to withdraw the money, he wouldn't give it back.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53She took him to court and won and now Lawrence is on his way to
0:10:53 > 0:10:56collect £30,250.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03It's a business address,
0:11:03 > 0:11:06so we're coming during the working day...
0:11:06 > 0:11:11Unfortunately, being an estate agents-cum-investment place,
0:11:11 > 0:11:15all they're likely to have is a couple of desks and a couple of computers.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19Hopefully we'll find Mr Miller there and we'll be able to put some kind
0:11:19 > 0:11:21of squeeze on him, find some assets to give us some leverage.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25If he's got a car and it's been re-financed,
0:11:25 > 0:11:27then that might be up for grabs.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31Mr Miller's high street office is certainly unlikely to contain
0:11:31 > 0:11:35£30,000 worth of assets. Lawrence has got his work cut out.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40He finds the shop and parks nearby.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42The door is locked, but someone is inside.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52Hello, sir. I'm looking for Joseph Miller, would that be yourself?
0:11:53 > 0:11:56It is indeed Mr Miller, but that's as far as our camera gets.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Can I show you some ID, sir?
0:11:59 > 0:12:04Inside, Lawrence gets to work and explains to Mr Miller that he's here
0:12:04 > 0:12:05for his customer's money.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07All of it.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11Mr Miller's not keen to pay up and just as Lawrence expected,
0:12:11 > 0:12:14the goods in the office aren't worth very much.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18However, behind the office,
0:12:18 > 0:12:22Lawrence has spotted a car with Mr Miller's branding on it.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Mr Miller doesn't deny it belongs to him, but insists it's a tool of the
0:12:26 > 0:12:30trade, meaning it's essential for him to carry on his business and Lawrence
0:12:30 > 0:12:32isn't legally allowed to remove it.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37But Lawrence makes a phone call and discovers that the car doesn't have
0:12:37 > 0:12:42business insurance. Satisfied it can't therefore be for business use,
0:12:42 > 0:12:44he threatens to remove it.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Just as he's booking a tow truck, Mr Miller heads to the car.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Silver Citroen, have a look round the corner, see if he drives off in it.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58If he does, there's not a lot Lawrence can do to stop him,
0:12:58 > 0:13:01but luckily, his fears are unfounded.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Mr Miller has only gone to retrieve his briefcase from the boot before
0:13:04 > 0:13:07returning inside.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10After an hour in the shop, Lawrence is done.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16He's paid me £1,000 in cash and I've signed him up for £1,000 a month.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19Lawrence would prefer to have the debt paid in full, but under the
0:13:19 > 0:13:23circumstances, he's satisfied a payment plan is a good result for the woman
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- who is owed the money.- It's a fairly high arrangement, but it's still,
0:13:27 > 0:13:29when you compare it to a £30,000 debt,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32it'll still take a few years to pay it off with interest going on,
0:13:32 > 0:13:36but really that's about the best I can do when you've got no assets to
0:13:36 > 0:13:40use as leverage. Bit of a discussion over whether his car was a tool of
0:13:40 > 0:13:45the trade. But it wasn't insured for business use, so it wouldn't be
0:13:45 > 0:13:46classed as a tool of the trade.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50But that was only probably a few hundred pounds' worth.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54It was an old Citroen, and other than that there was a few old
0:13:54 > 0:13:57computers and desks and it's just not worth any money.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03Without goods to remove, the bargaining powers of the sheriffs is limited.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07Lawrence has managed to get at least some money and an agreement to make
0:14:07 > 0:14:08regular repayments.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Since filming Mr Miller has stuck to the arrangement so far and he's
0:14:12 > 0:14:16gradually paying back the £30,000 he owes.
0:14:18 > 0:14:23Mr Miller told us that his client's money had been invested in property.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27He says a slow housing market had delayed the return of funds and the
0:14:27 > 0:14:31court action resulted because she hadn't been prepared to wait for a
0:14:31 > 0:14:33property sale to materialise.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46In Birmingham, Tommy and Craig are waiting outside the home of
0:14:46 > 0:14:51Ali Akbar, who owes a debt of £3,290.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55They've clamped his car and a tow truck's on the way, but so far,
0:14:55 > 0:14:58in keeping with Craig's previous visits,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Mr Akbar himself has yet to come to the door.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05This does happen sometimes,
0:15:05 > 0:15:09they just completely go to ground inside and they won't come out until
0:15:09 > 0:15:12the actual transport arrives to take the vehicle and then someone may
0:15:12 > 0:15:16come to the door saying, "We didn't know nothing about it and want to
0:15:16 > 0:15:20"resolve this", and it's too late, normally.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23They have to find a large sum of money very quickly or it'll be going
0:15:23 > 0:15:26on the back of a truck and away.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30But no sooner has Tommy spoken than a young man walks out of the house.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33- How's it going?- Hello, sir.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Mr Akbar, is it?
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Mr Wild from the sheriff's office.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41They've sent us out to obviously execute this court order.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Because you owe the money, there's a High Court order.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50The court thinks you do.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54Mr Akbar, it seems, is in denial.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57Well, unfortunately, Mr Akbar, all letters have been left for your
0:15:57 > 0:15:59attention, you've failed to deal with it,
0:15:59 > 0:16:01so they've sent us out to remove the car today.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07You haven't, sir. The court say different.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15Well you've had paperwork hand-delivered by the agent here.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17No problem at all.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Craig obliges and shows Mr Akbar his writ.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23And that's the commandment of the courts to endorse and obviously take
0:16:23 > 0:16:25control of your assets today.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30Faced with the documents, Mr Akbar finally has a moment of realisation.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33Penny's dropped now, has it?
0:16:39 > 0:16:42It's already been to court, sir. No, it's already been to court.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Exactly, she's gone to court because...
0:16:46 > 0:16:49I'm not mad, blud. I'm not mad.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52I'm not a bailiff, no, I'm a High Court enforcement agent.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57I just explained it to you, I'm a High Court enforcement agent,
0:16:57 > 0:17:00I've been here at least three times, left letters for you,
0:17:00 > 0:17:01you've failed to respond to that.
0:17:03 > 0:17:04Despite seeing the court order,
0:17:04 > 0:17:08it seems Mr Akbar is unwilling to recognise the sheriff's authority.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Because the law says and the court say
0:17:12 > 0:17:14we've got to come here to see you.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18And if you don't deal with it, we've got to deal with it for you.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22We don't want to do that. We'd much rather get paid and be on our way.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29What makes you think it's not going to go?
0:17:29 > 0:17:33You need to address this, Mr Akbar, otherwise this WILL be going.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36The car will be going unless you can pay it.
0:17:40 > 0:17:45That's fine. But the law says, you've got seven days from today,
0:17:45 > 0:17:49once your assets have been removed. We'll start doing the paperwork now,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52you've got the seven days to seek your own legal advice,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55try and raise the money and if you're successful,
0:17:55 > 0:17:57then you're entitled to your goods back.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01Mr Akbar clearly doesn't want to pay, but it looks like the sheriff's
0:18:01 > 0:18:05ultimatum of removing the car is finally sinking in.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08After briefly heading inside to mull it over,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11he returns and he's changed his tune.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17It has to be the full balance, the reason for that is...
0:18:18 > 0:18:20You could have before.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25We don't have many options.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Full amount or let the vehicle go, it doesn't matter whether you let it
0:18:32 > 0:18:35go or not, it will go, and you'll get seven days.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37That's all we can do for you.
0:18:37 > 0:18:38It's 20 to nine now, you've got
0:18:38 > 0:18:41until quarter past ten, and hour and a half.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43If you want to stop the vehicle going.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- No problem. - No problem at all, Mr Akbar.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Mr Akbar's offer of part payment has come too late. His previous
0:18:56 > 0:19:00failure to engage with Craig doesn't fill the sheriffs with confidence
0:19:00 > 0:19:03about the prospect of him sticking to a payment plan,
0:19:03 > 0:19:06so with a decent asset sitting in front of them,
0:19:06 > 0:19:07it's got to be the whole lot.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12The defendant has indicated he might get some money, but the time is
0:19:12 > 0:19:16ticking and we told him the deadline to get that money to us.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19We've also told him that he has incurred the extra cost
0:19:19 > 0:19:23of the contractor, because we've commenced them on their way.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27So, unfortunately, it's been a very expensive day for Mr Akbar.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29As they wait it out in the van,
0:19:29 > 0:19:33Mr Akbar again comes to speak to them and he's got a fresh offer.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42We can't, it's not a case of us
0:19:42 > 0:19:46trying to not be helpful, we do as much as we can,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49we leave the vehicle clamped for two hours.
0:19:50 > 0:19:51This is clamped.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52It's clamped.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56There's a clamp on the front.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Once again, it's taking a while for reality to sink in.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03But with his offer of payment gradually increasing, Tommy is
0:20:03 > 0:20:05quietly confident.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07Yeah, a bit more positive that time,
0:20:07 > 0:20:10could be payment in full coming here, I've got a feeling,
0:20:10 > 0:20:13I can feel it in the air, coming down the pipes.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16But later on, there's another problem
0:20:16 > 0:20:19as the car suddenly appears to have a new owner.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25The car's yours now, is it? When did you get it?
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Sheriffs can enforce well over a thousand writs a year
0:20:35 > 0:20:37and every one is different.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39But with 27 years in the business,
0:20:39 > 0:20:43enforcement agent Ken Warby has just about seen it all.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48He knows that debtors aren't always in a position to pay all in one go,
0:20:48 > 0:20:51and he's a skilled negotiator when it comes to getting the best
0:20:51 > 0:20:54possible deal for his clients.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Today, he's heading to the Essex coast for a job where his powers of
0:20:57 > 0:21:00persuasion are going to be tested.
0:21:00 > 0:21:05We're going to visit a company called Ideal Everything Asbestos.
0:21:05 > 0:21:10Our claimant is owed for unpaid invoices for supplying on-site
0:21:10 > 0:21:15equipment such as pumps and flowmeters.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19The debtor is an asbestos removal company.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21They were taken to court by a supplier
0:21:21 > 0:21:25and when they didn't defend the case, a judgment was issued in default.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29That was two months ago, and the debt still hasn't been paid.
0:21:29 > 0:21:35Apparently, the debtor company tried to make an arrangement with the
0:21:35 > 0:21:38claimant before it went any further.
0:21:39 > 0:21:40But it come to nothing,
0:21:40 > 0:21:44so obviously our claimant has lost patience and now obtained
0:21:44 > 0:21:46a High Court writ of control.
0:21:47 > 0:21:52So it's Ken's job to collect £4,406 outstanding.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59Well, they are here. I've just seen this sign.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02I had a horrible feeling for a minute that the company weren't
0:22:02 > 0:22:04there any more, because it looked quite empty.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06But it's the one next door.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09There is an expensive-looking Range Rover outside
0:22:09 > 0:22:13and company branding on the wall - all promising signs.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Ken goes in and has a look around.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21It's not immediately obvious whether anyone is in.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25But when he heads upstairs, he finds someone at their desk.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Knock, knock. Hello. I need to speak to the person in charge.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32Oh...
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Can I talk to you? If you want my ID, there you go.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36My name is Ken Warby.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41What it is, is a High Court writ of control against yourselves.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45I dare say you want to call the MD on the phone.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50The employee does just that and hands it over.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Thank you. Cheers.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56Hello? Is that Daniel?
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Danny Burke, yeah. I've got your name on here, mate.
0:23:00 > 0:23:06It's regarding a High Court writ of control originally for £3,300,
0:23:06 > 0:23:09and then there are sheriffs' fees involved as well,
0:23:09 > 0:23:12which gives us a figure of £4,406 now.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16The boss tells Ken he offered the claimant a payment plan,
0:23:16 > 0:23:19and says he's already given them some money.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22But Ken's instructions from his client are clear.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24As it stands at the moment,
0:23:24 > 0:23:26because we're here with a High Court writ of control,
0:23:26 > 0:23:30we have to insist on full payment.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33Mr Burke says that's impossible.
0:23:33 > 0:23:34Oh, dear.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38It's a tricky one for us, then, because we are instructed, you see.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42And we have to pursue for the full amount.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45The boss says he might be able to raise £900,
0:23:45 > 0:23:48and he'll have the rest in a couple of weeks.
0:23:48 > 0:23:49But it's not enough.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Do you want a little bit of time to maybe make a few phone calls or
0:23:52 > 0:23:55something, to see if you can sort of like come up with this?
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Mr Burke says he can't.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00OK. Well, what I'm going to have to do is, I'm going to have to start
0:24:00 > 0:24:02listing items here anyway.
0:24:02 > 0:24:07And in the meantime, see what you can do, maybe.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09I'm going to be hanging around here for a while.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12I can't just accept £900 at the moment, no.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Cheers, pal. Bye.
0:24:17 > 0:24:22He's telling me because of cash flow problems they've only got £900 in
0:24:22 > 0:24:24the bank.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28He's willing to give me that and
0:24:28 > 0:24:29come to some arrangement.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31He's asked me what would be acceptable.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34I'm going to finish my list, and then we'll have another chat.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36I'm not going to give him a definitive answer yet.
0:24:36 > 0:24:42I want to see what they've got in the way of assets here before I accept any sort of payment plans.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Unfortunately, a quick glance around this office doesn't fill Ken with
0:24:46 > 0:24:48much hope.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52There's some standard office and computer equipment.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56- Sorry, that is a shredder, isn't it? - Yeah.- That is a shredder.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58But it's not much to bargain with
0:24:58 > 0:25:00and his list is pretty short.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04As sheriffs are entitled to search anywhere in a debtor's premises for
0:25:04 > 0:25:08assets, he heads downstairs to take a look in the room below,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11only to find it's off-limits.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27What is it, like a testing room or something?
0:25:27 > 0:25:30The room may contain two valuable looking microscopes,
0:25:30 > 0:25:34but there are some places that even a sheriff won't go.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38You need a mask etc, to go in there.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42That is a lot of aggravation to move anything in there.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45Plus, there's nothing else of value in there.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49There is, however, one more microscope outside the testing room.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52It's just the same as the two you've got in there?
0:25:52 > 0:25:54That's not contaminated, but they will be?
0:25:54 > 0:25:56Got it. OK. I understand.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58Even added to the contents of the fridge,
0:25:58 > 0:26:02one harmless and two potentially deadly microscopes aren't going to
0:26:02 > 0:26:04raise the money Ken needs.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07But he does have one more idea.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Perhaps the 4X4 he saw on the way in.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13The car on the driveway, who owns that?
0:26:13 > 0:26:15Is that yours? That's nice.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18OK. Do you have any company vehicles?
0:26:20 > 0:26:25Despite Ken's best efforts, his list isn't getting any longer.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28The meagre offerings mean he might have to accept whatever the boss is
0:26:28 > 0:26:33- willing to pay.- I'm just going to give the MD a call and see if we can
0:26:33 > 0:26:35come to some arrangement.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38I don't think he's going to be able to come up with the full amount of
0:26:38 > 0:26:40money today.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44The debt stands at £4,406.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47And on arrival, Ken wanted all of it.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50He previously rejected the boss' offer of £900.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54But Ken now thinks the smart move is to settle for half.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Hello, yeah. I'm good.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02Right, OK. If you can come up with half of it today,
0:27:02 > 0:27:05we can give you the two-week grace for the balance.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10OK? What I've done is I've listed your items here.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12If you don't pay within two weeks,
0:27:12 > 0:27:15obviously this is going to go up quite considerably.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18So that's what you need to be sort of aiming for.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20The boss says he'll make a bank transfer,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24and Ken heads back upstairs to the office to wait for it.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28While there, he can't resist sharing his own expertise in asbestos removal.
0:27:28 > 0:27:34I remember my dad, back in the day, erm, taking the...
0:27:34 > 0:27:39taking the ironing board cover off and throwing it away.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42He said, "I've heard on the news these ain't too good".
0:27:42 > 0:27:45This must have been back in the '80s.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49So he said, "Yeah, we'll do away with that now, just use a bit of wood,"
0:27:49 > 0:27:50my dad used to say.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52WOMAN LAUGHS
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Soon, the woman shows Ken evidence of a payment the company's made to
0:27:55 > 0:28:01the sheriffs. It's for only £900, way short of the 2,200 -
0:28:01 > 0:28:05half the full amount - that Ken had agreed to.
0:28:05 > 0:28:06Mr Burke is back on the phone,
0:28:06 > 0:28:09saying he's got more money coming in later today.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12As soon as that's done later on tonight, give me a call,
0:28:12 > 0:28:16let me know it's been done, and I'll check it first thing in the morning.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18I'll add that to the agreement, OK?
0:28:18 > 0:28:20So it's £900 paid.
0:28:20 > 0:28:25£1,300 to be paid this evening,
0:28:25 > 0:28:29and the balance to be paid 14 days from today.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35It's not quite the outcome Ken had wanted but,
0:28:35 > 0:28:37satisfied he's achieved as much as he can today,
0:28:37 > 0:28:41he hands over the controlled goods agreement to the woman in the office
0:28:41 > 0:28:45and leaves. If her boss doesn't keep up his end of the bargain,
0:28:45 > 0:28:48Ken will be back to remove everything on the list.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52The value of the goods in there isn't very much.
0:28:52 > 0:28:53£300, £400.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57So, half payment today and the balance in a fortnight,
0:28:57 > 0:29:00I'm pretty confident he'll get that paid.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02So, all in all, not bad.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Ken never needs to return.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09The company paid the remainder of the debt in full and their supplier
0:29:09 > 0:29:12has now got the money they were owed.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15ID Everything Asbestos Limited told us that since filming,
0:29:15 > 0:29:18the company's been bought out and is under new management.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21The debt was incurred by the previous manager.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32When debtors can't pay on the spot...
0:29:32 > 0:29:34I'm assuming that you haven't got £5,000. Oh, dear.
0:29:34 > 0:29:39..the sheriffs won't always remove assets to get your money.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43Goods go for about a fifth of their true value at auction and it's often
0:29:43 > 0:29:45better to agree to a payment plan.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48If you can come up with half of it today...
0:29:48 > 0:29:50Do you reckon you can do 200 a week?
0:29:50 > 0:29:52..they'll make a list of assets...
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Ice machine. Bar chiller cabinets.
0:29:55 > 0:29:56Television, PlayStation.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59..and a controlled goods agreement is signed,
0:29:59 > 0:30:03making it an offence for anyone else to remove them.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06You sign the form. It acts as security.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10The sheriffs will only return to take the goods if the debtor fails
0:30:10 > 0:30:14- to make payments.- I've signed him up for £1,000 a month.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17Providing you stick to that, you won't hear from us again.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26High Court enforcement agents will do whatever they can to get the
0:30:26 > 0:30:30money you're owed. But if the debtor simply doesn't have the money or assets,
0:30:30 > 0:30:34the sheriffs are often confronted with a very difficult situation.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39In the south-east, Lawrence Grix is on his way to visit a car workshop.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43Well, we're just coming into Camberley in Surrey at the moment.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45We've got a judgment against a gentleman
0:30:45 > 0:30:49by the name of Mike Sweeney, trading as Modena.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52He's... It's some kind of garage he runs.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57Mr Sweeney owes money to a parts supplier,
0:30:57 > 0:30:59and has been taken to court.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02His debt now stands at £5,015.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07It seems Mr Sweeney's keen
0:31:07 > 0:31:09to get the matter resolved.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13He's been on the phone, offering a payment arrangement, but once again,
0:31:13 > 0:31:16we can't put somebody on an arrangement unless we've taken
0:31:16 > 0:31:18control of goods to secure the debt.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21And also, we need to evaluate what assets there are there,
0:31:21 > 0:31:24because if he's got sufficient assets to clear the debt,
0:31:24 > 0:31:27then we'll be removing them in accordance with the writ.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31Besides, car-mad Lawrence never turns down the opportunity to have
0:31:31 > 0:31:33a nose around someone else's garage.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36I like to have a little look around garages,
0:31:36 > 0:31:37see what equipment they've got.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41It is taunting me, really, because I'd like to have a nice, big
0:31:41 > 0:31:44workshop myself, where I could work on my vehicles under cover, but I
0:31:44 > 0:31:47don't suppose that'll be the case any time soon!
0:31:47 > 0:31:50Lawrence doesn't yet know whether the debtor's workshop is going to
0:31:50 > 0:31:54turn him green with envy, but he's about to find out.
0:32:01 > 0:32:02Hello, mate.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05You the boss? No?
0:32:05 > 0:32:06Mike Sweeney, the boss, yeah?
0:32:06 > 0:32:08Is he about? Cheers.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13Well, he's in the right place and it sounds like Mr Sweeney's here,
0:32:13 > 0:32:16- but is he about to pay? - My name's Mr Grix.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18I'm an enforcement agent.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20You've got a High Court writ against you, trading as Modena,
0:32:20 > 0:32:26outstanding debt of £5,015.24, sir, which needs to be paid.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29I'm aware you phoned up to try to go on instalments.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32Unfortunately, the writ orders us out to take control of goods
0:32:32 > 0:32:35to clear the debt and from what I can see,
0:32:35 > 0:32:39you've probably got sufficient goods to clear the debt.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41They're not your assets?
0:32:42 > 0:32:45Mr Sweeney says everything here is owned by someone else and begins
0:32:45 > 0:32:49looking for a copy of his lease which he says will prove it.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53While he does that, Lawrence has a look around himself.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56But while there's plenty for him to get excited about on a personal
0:32:56 > 0:33:00- level...- Nice little Ferrari here, all being refurbished.
0:33:00 > 0:33:05- A couple of Porsches, there. - ..there's not much to get his sheriff's sense tingling.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08All the vehicles that are here generally belong to customers who
0:33:08 > 0:33:11have put them in here for restoration, so there's not...
0:33:11 > 0:33:12Not a massive amount of...
0:33:14 > 0:33:16..of assets here, to be honest.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18There are some tools and machinery,
0:33:18 > 0:33:21but Mr Sweeney seems to be saying they belong to someone else.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23Lawrence wants to know more.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26So what is it that comes with the lease? The two post lifts?
0:33:30 > 0:33:33Oh, right, so... So, basically, without prying too much,
0:33:33 > 0:33:37you were struggling and sold all the assets off to raise some capital,
0:33:37 > 0:33:39and you now rent them back?
0:33:40 > 0:33:44Lawrence is beginning to suspect his chances of getting paid in full
0:33:44 > 0:33:49today are slim. Still, he'll need to see the paperwork to be sure,
0:33:49 > 0:33:52and Mr Sweeney can't seem to find it.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55Not got a copy of it on your computer or anything like that?
0:33:55 > 0:33:58And this was a couple of years ago, was it?
0:33:58 > 0:34:00How much money was involved?
0:34:04 > 0:34:06Have you got evidence of the money going into your bank account?
0:34:06 > 0:34:10Can you bring up online statements, and show a lump going in?
0:34:10 > 0:34:12Oh, because the problem we've got,
0:34:12 > 0:34:15whilst I don't dispute what you're telling me, at the moment,
0:34:15 > 0:34:17there is no evidence to...
0:34:18 > 0:34:21Mr Sweeney has found what he was looking for.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26All right, let's have a little look, see what we've got here.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31It's the details of the lease he has on the premises,
0:34:31 > 0:34:34including a list of the equipment he sold to the landlord.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37That's a very complete inventory, isn't it?
0:34:37 > 0:34:39One of the best inventories I've seen, to be honest.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41- Is it?- Even down to the rubbish bins!
0:34:44 > 0:34:46And you've bought no other kit, since?
0:34:46 > 0:34:50Yeah. This obviously proves that the goods have been sold, so...
0:34:52 > 0:34:53That's that side of things.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57Lawrence has now established that he can't remove the garage's equipment
0:34:57 > 0:35:00to cover the debt, so he tries a new tack.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02I mean, asking the obvious, I'm assuming, then,
0:35:02 > 0:35:04that you haven't got £5,000.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06Well, there's no harm in asking.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10Is there anybody that can help you out with that?
0:35:10 > 0:35:12So what can you come up with?
0:35:14 > 0:35:15Lawrence suspects he's telling the truth,
0:35:15 > 0:35:17but isn't going to leave without
0:35:17 > 0:35:20- pursuing every avenue possible. - What about a vehicle?
0:35:20 > 0:35:22Erm...
0:35:25 > 0:35:27Lawrence goes to check it out.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31This one here, yeah? But that, too, proves to be a dead-end.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35That won't scratch the surface of the debt, to be honest.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39The car's 11 years old and covered in dents and scrapes.
0:35:39 > 0:35:40Satisfied he's seen enough,
0:35:40 > 0:35:44Lawrence resurrects Mr Sweeney's offer of a payment plan.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46What are you proposing?
0:35:47 > 0:35:51Right, so that's going to take the best part of two years to pay off,
0:35:51 > 0:35:55because you've got interest going on at 95p per day which, unfortunately,
0:35:55 > 0:35:59even though you're clearing the debt, will still go on at 95p per day.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02It's fixed on the original debt, until the writ is cleared.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05When would you be looking to make the first payment?
0:36:05 > 0:36:07Monday the 16th?
0:36:09 > 0:36:10They shake on the deal.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13OK, so... Keep your payments up.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17And Lawrence has done the best he can.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20That was one of those jobs, basically,
0:36:20 > 0:36:25Mr Sweeney had previously sold all the assets to somebody else,
0:36:25 > 0:36:29so he has got no assets at this business.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31He managed to dig out the paperwork.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34There was a full inventory, even down to, you know,
0:36:34 > 0:36:38the most silly items like pictures on the wall and everything.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40So basically,
0:36:40 > 0:36:43I had to set up an arrangement and let's hope he sticks to it.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56In Birmingham, Tommy and Craig are still trying to recover debt owed by
0:36:56 > 0:36:59a Mr Ali Akbar.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02He has finally realised that with a tow truck on the way,
0:37:02 > 0:37:05he needs to come up with more than three grand, sharpish,
0:37:05 > 0:37:07or else his car will be going.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10So far, he's only managed to make offers of part payment,
0:37:10 > 0:37:12which have been rejected.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16But now, a family member has got involved and is about to throw the
0:37:16 > 0:37:18sheriffs a curveball.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22The car's yours now, is it?
0:37:22 > 0:37:24When, when did you get it?
0:37:24 > 0:37:26You bought it yesterday, did you?
0:37:26 > 0:37:28Oh, right, so he sold it to you yesterday?
0:37:28 > 0:37:30- How much?- How much for, my love?
0:37:30 > 0:37:33It is. Oh, it is. We need to see evidence.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35Because we need to investigate it, you see, we need...
0:37:35 > 0:37:38We can't just, unfortunately, take your word for it.
0:37:38 > 0:37:43Moments later, Mr Akbar emerges with a change of registered keeper form.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49Right, OK. It's still wet, though, this.
0:37:49 > 0:37:50Craig's having none of it.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54It won't prevent us from removing the vehicle, unfortunately, Ali.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58Yeah, unfortunately...
0:37:58 > 0:38:01We can speak to her, but the car's still going.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03I don't think that's valid, unfortunately.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06If the Akbars want to stop this vehicle being removed,
0:38:06 > 0:38:08they're going to have to do better than that.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11He was claiming that the car was his all the time.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14All of a sudden, he's come out with the bottom half of the V5 document,
0:38:14 > 0:38:17saying he's sold it now to his mother or sister.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20Clearly, the indication was, it was his car this morning,
0:38:20 > 0:38:23so it won't prevent us from removing the vehicle today.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26But the Akbars aren't giving up just yet.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28The plot thickens when Craig
0:38:28 > 0:38:31overhears a conversation in the doorway.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33If you want to transfer the money into his account, that's fine.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37I said, if you want to transfer the money into his...
0:38:37 > 0:38:38Well, I can.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43Well, it is my business.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48But if they're thinking of making a bank transfer to complete the sale
0:38:48 > 0:38:50now, it would be too late.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53If there's a money transfer just happening just now,
0:38:53 > 0:38:56that's going to be irrelevant because we've already took control
0:38:56 > 0:38:58of the vehicle, prior to it being sold.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02Meanwhile, Mr Akbar has reappeared on the driveway,
0:39:02 > 0:39:05and to Tommy's surprise, gets behind the wheel of another car.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07Strange, isn't it?
0:39:07 > 0:39:11Yeah, unusual, he seems to be going.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13Perhaps he's gone to get some money.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17Perhaps not. But the tow truck's now well on its way, so Tommy and Craig
0:39:17 > 0:39:21take the opportunity to do a damage report on his car.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24- It's in all right nick, isn't it? - It's not too bad.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29This wing is, there's something...
0:39:29 > 0:39:32It's got, like, it's been pranged, that has.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Driver's side rear wing.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37Time is running out for Mr Akbar,
0:39:37 > 0:39:41who soon returns, but has he come bearing cash?
0:39:41 > 0:39:45You all right? Do we know what we're doing?
0:39:45 > 0:39:47Are we paying it today or not?
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Because they're literally ten minutes away.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56Once it turns up, they're just going to hook it up.
0:40:00 > 0:40:01All right.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03OK, we'll have to remove it, then,
0:40:03 > 0:40:08but we'll leave all the paperwork for you, all right?
0:40:08 > 0:40:11You'll get it back in the same condition it is now if you pay the
0:40:11 > 0:40:14full bill, plus the storage costs, plus the removal fee for today.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18If it's not, then, obviously, you can take them to court for damages.
0:40:18 > 0:40:23Mr Akbar seems to have given up any hope of hanging onto his car today.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27And as the tow truck arrives to take it away, hands over his keys.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Are you going to get it back? Are you...
0:40:29 > 0:40:33- In seven days? No?- Do you want to take your stuff out first?
0:40:33 > 0:40:35Have you got any personal stuff in there, yeah?
0:40:35 > 0:40:36Yeah, get your stuff out, mate.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38Tommy removes the clamp.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44Job's a good'un.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46And the car's driven onto the back of the truck.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49So, yeah, at least he's given the keys up.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52Makes it a lot easier, both for himself and for us.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55If it does go to auction, then at least they've got the key to it,
0:40:55 > 0:40:57which increases its value.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03Yeah, it's seven days and then they
0:41:03 > 0:41:06have to put it into a public auction.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09You can.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13Suddenly, it seems Mr Akbar wants to buy his car back at auction,
0:41:13 > 0:41:16though it'd make a lot more sense to pay now,
0:41:16 > 0:41:19and just as the truck prepares to drive off,
0:41:19 > 0:41:21that's exactly what he starts talking about.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28If you've got the full balance now... You need it this second.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34It's gone.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39Mr Akbar has missed his chance.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41The sheriffs leave their paperwork.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43- There you go, my friend.- All right?
0:41:43 > 0:41:45Take it easy. Take care of yourself, yeah?
0:41:45 > 0:41:47- Ta-ra.- See you later, mate. - And their work is done.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51He tried his best to negotiate his way out of us not taking the vehicle
0:41:51 > 0:41:53today by trying to transfer ownership.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Even by his own admission, he said, "You've got to try it".
0:41:55 > 0:41:59- But, unfortunately, it didn't work this time. - Yeah, it's just a classic case of,
0:41:59 > 0:42:03don't bury your head in the sand because we won't go away.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06The sheriffs are on their way.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09Later the same day, Mr Akbar paid the balance in full
0:42:09 > 0:42:13and his car was subsequently returned.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17Back in Shoreham, Kate Killick has finally got the money she was owed.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20Really, really good news. The sheriffs went round.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24They finally caught up with Ali, and I was able to get my money back,
0:42:24 > 0:42:29and it's just really, really nice to know that the law is there to help
0:42:29 > 0:42:32people out. I couldn't be happier. Thank you.
0:42:32 > 0:42:37And Kate has some advice for anyone else with an unpaid debt.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40Definitely, definitely go through the Small Claims Court because
0:42:40 > 0:42:44that's why they are there, to help you. You know, it was quite a long process.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48It's been over a year, but we got there in the end.