0:00:02 > 0:00:03- Meet the Sheriffs. - My name's Mr Grix,
0:00:03 > 0:00:05my colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07- It's to do with a High Court order. - They work for the High Court,
0:00:07 > 0:00:12and if it says you are owed money, it's their job to go and get it.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16I am 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 > 0:00:24..or remove assets instead.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26The car will be going unless you can pay it.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29You will have a week to pay in full before it gets sold at auction.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33Obstructing their work can be a criminal offence.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35- I wouldn't do that, if I were you. - The door needs to stay open.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Every year in England and Wales,
0:00:40 > 0:00:42unpaid debts totalling more than £80 million
0:00:42 > 0:00:44are recovered by the sheriffs.
0:00:49 > 0:00:54Coming up - Kieron Kelly discovered his new car had been in a crash.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56I was stunned, shocked, angry.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58I didn't drive the car any more.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03When the dealer responsible says he can't pay, Lawrence has other ideas.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06West Car Sales have got all the cars that are here.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08- Yes.- Unfortunately, that's who we're here for.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13Ken won't take no for an answer at a hotel with a debt to pay.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Please start making these phone calls now
0:01:16 > 0:01:20to get this money to me now, OK? I'll wait.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Tommy and Craig eye up a Jaguar on a debtor's driveway.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Are you telling me you can pay this in full?
0:01:26 > 0:01:27If you're not telling me that,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30then I will clamp the vehicle and look to remove it.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35And the sheriffs take control of goods at a Coventry mechanics.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37It's getting near the endgame now,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40so they need to either pay up or lose the gear. Simple as.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50In Kent, enforcement agents Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally
0:01:50 > 0:01:53are on the road. They have got a High Court writ
0:01:53 > 0:01:55to collect a debt owed by a car dealer.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Right, today we're in Sittingbourne.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01We're going to West Car Sales.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04We're looking for £1,452.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08I presume the debt is relating to the sale of a second-hand vehicle.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13The claimant in the case is Kieron Kelly.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17He first came across West Car Sales when he was looking for
0:02:17 > 0:02:19a cheap second-hand car and checked out the stock
0:02:19 > 0:02:21at a few of his local dealers.
0:02:21 > 0:02:26I saw a car that was appealing to me, it was within my price range.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28The car was a Renault Megane.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32It was black, it was a five-door car.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34We have four grandchildren,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37so of course, from time to time we pick the children up from school.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41So what we needed was a car that would be able to accommodate
0:02:41 > 0:02:43both myself and my partner and the grandkids.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Kieron went to the dealers and met the salesman there, a Mr Jeff Lee.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52He was quite an amenable chap, he was quite friendly,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55he seemed quite trustworthy, so I took the car out on a test drive
0:02:55 > 0:03:00for about ten minutes or so and then brought it back.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04It wasn't great, but, at the end of the day, for £850, you know,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07you are not going to get a great, great car.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09But it seemed to be good value for money.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Kieron may not have been looking for a top-of-the-range car,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15but there was one thing he was adamant about.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18He didn't want anything that had previously been in an accident
0:03:18 > 0:03:22- or written off.- I had had a bad experience with a previous car,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25so I asked the dealer specifically,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28"Was the car that I was buying subject to a write-off?"
0:03:28 > 0:03:29He just quite simply said no.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34So Kieron bought it and drove it happily for several months,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37until one day he scraped the front of the car
0:03:37 > 0:03:38on the curb while parking
0:03:38 > 0:03:42and was surprised by the amount of damage it caused.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45The whole front end, ie the whole bumper,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47was detached and it was hanging.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50When Kieron got home he called the AA,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52and when they took a look they found
0:03:52 > 0:03:55clues that the car had in fact been in a previous accident after all.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57They knocked the door and said,
0:03:57 > 0:03:59"Look, I think you need to get your logbook."
0:03:59 > 0:04:01So I came back into my home,
0:04:01 > 0:04:03got the logbook and clearly on the logbook
0:04:03 > 0:04:07it had stated that the car was subject to a write-off.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11I was stunned, absolutely stunned.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Stunned, shocked, angry, annoyed.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19The obvious thing to do was get in touch with West Car Sales.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21I rang on four or five occasions,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23couldn't get a response, so I decided
0:04:23 > 0:04:25to ping him an e-mail to let him know
0:04:25 > 0:04:29of my concerns and that it had been mis-sold to myself.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33And therefore I wanted to reject the vehicle and seek a full refund.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39For some weeks Kieron chased for a refund, but it wasn't forthcoming.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42The car, meanwhile, was marooned on the driveway,
0:04:42 > 0:04:44where it still remains.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48Having been told that this car was potentially dangerous,
0:04:48 > 0:04:52I didn't drive the car any more.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56I was looking for a job, so when I was going for interviews,
0:04:56 > 0:04:58I was hiring a vehicle.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00Could I afford it? The answer is no.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03And after still getting nowhere with West Car Sales,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Kieron took the company to court.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08On the day of the hearing, he was feeling upbeat.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12I supplied 15-19 pages' worth of correspondence,
0:05:12 > 0:05:16together with text messages and all the communication.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19So I was extremely confident of the outcome.
0:05:19 > 0:05:20No concerns.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24But just moments before the hearing, Mr Lee arrived,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27wanting to make a deal to pay Kieron back in instalments.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32Kieron accepted, and the agreement was rubber-stamped by the judge.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37His first payment was due to myself of £100 on the 1st of December.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40He failed to pay it, and he said he had family issues.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44So I decided to extend that for a week to give him a bit of grace,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47and, lo and behold, he failed again.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Kieron has now had enough of being messed about and has transferred
0:05:50 > 0:05:52his case up to the High Court.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Having seen the programme on the TV
0:05:55 > 0:05:57it makes me feel that they can achieve something
0:05:57 > 0:05:59that clearly I can't,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02and I'm just really hopeful that they get the outcome I need.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11Lawrence and Kev are about to arrive at West Car Sales
0:06:11 > 0:06:15and, ever the optimist, Kev is hopeful of getting Mr Kelly's money.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20I've had a look at the site online while I was doing my research,
0:06:20 > 0:06:23and there's quite a few cars on the front here, cars and vans.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28So hopefully they'll be owned by our debtor company
0:06:28 > 0:06:31and we'll be able to get this debt paid.
0:06:31 > 0:06:36And as they pull into the garage, it seems Kev's research was spot on.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38There are a lot of vehicles here.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41It goes a way back, doesn't it?
0:06:41 > 0:06:43And before they even manage to park,
0:06:43 > 0:06:48a man pulls up alongside wanting to know why the sheriffs are here.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50- West Car Sales, we're here for.- Yeah.
0:06:50 > 0:06:51It is you, is it?
0:06:55 > 0:06:56- It's you we're dealing with, is it? - Yeah.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Do you want to park yourself up and we'll hop out?
0:07:00 > 0:07:03It's the man who sold Kieron his car,
0:07:03 > 0:07:06and it seems he doesn't dispute he owes the money.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08In fact, he says he wants to pay.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17The problem is, you've got assets.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19We're not ordered out to collect your money,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22we're ordered by the writ to take control of your goods.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26All you can do is pay in full, because you've got the stock.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35Although Mr Lee admits he sold Mr Kelly a car,
0:07:35 > 0:07:37he's now saying he sold it under his own name,
0:07:37 > 0:07:41not the garage's, where he's just an employee.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44But that's not what it says on Mr Kelly's receipt -
0:07:44 > 0:07:46nor on Lawrence's writ.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49West Car Sales have got all the cars that are here?
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Unfortunately, that's who we're here for.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53It's their name on the writ,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56so any of these cars that belong to West Car Sales are likely to go
0:07:56 > 0:07:57to clear the debt.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00At the moment it stands at £1,452.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04You know, one of these cars would cover it.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07The owner of West Car Sales is away, is he?
0:08:07 > 0:08:11Mr Lee might not want his employer's cars to be taken,
0:08:11 > 0:08:14but the sheriffs can't just ignore the paperwork from the courts.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Fair play to you for sticking your hands up and saying,
0:08:16 > 0:08:18"Right, it should actually be me,"
0:08:18 > 0:08:20but we can't deal with it as being you.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23So if you want to pay it on their behalf, again, fair play to you.
0:08:26 > 0:08:27No.
0:08:27 > 0:08:28Because there's stock here,
0:08:28 > 0:08:31and you've just admitted that the stock belongs to West Car Sales.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35We can give you a little bit of time to try and cobble the money together.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37You can put it on a couple of cards if it helps as well.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Doesn't have to be from one.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42No. You can put it on as many as you want.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44While Mr Lee is cooperating,
0:08:44 > 0:08:46so far he still isn't showing any indication
0:08:46 > 0:08:49that he's about to come up with the money.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51So Lawrence ups the ante.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54If it comes to removal, there's another 1,300 quid going on it.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57It's going to virtually double.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59No, we don't want that. So that's what I'm saying,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02I can give you a little bit of time to get this money together.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Yeah, we're not talking days.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Not talking hours, either, really.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Because obviously we're busy guys.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13Lawrence's strategy works.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Mr Lee suddenly produces the company's card
0:09:16 > 0:09:19and offers to make a payment.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21Right, let's see if we've got a signal.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25You have to know your PIN number or you can't do it.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Unless you can go do it online. Have you got online facilities here?
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Mr Lee can't use the card and heads into his office,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35leaving Lawrence and Kev to ponder their next move.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Yeah, it's a bit of a shame he hasn't got the PIN number to
0:09:39 > 0:09:43the account here, otherwise we would have had a big part of it paid off.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45So we'll just see what developments there are now.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48The development is that Mr Lee immediately returns,
0:09:48 > 0:09:50and this time he's brought cash.
0:09:57 > 0:09:58I think he's got the full amount.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01- 1,000, yeah?- All good.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Do you want to hop in the other side and count this, Kev,
0:10:03 > 0:10:05while I start writing the receipt?
0:10:07 > 0:10:09- What's there?- 1,500.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23- 1,500, yeah?- Yeah.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Mr Lee has settled the balance in full
0:10:26 > 0:10:28and he gives his side of the story.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31I sold a car to a chap, it must have been about eight or nine months ago.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33Chap had it for six months.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35It had been involved in an accident, I wasn't aware of this.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37The chap then came back and saw us,
0:10:37 > 0:10:40and obviously gave us the point of view that he wanted a refund.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Wasn't in a position to do so at the time because obviously we wanted
0:10:43 > 0:10:44to have the car checked.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47He didn't allow us to do so, and here we are today.
0:10:47 > 0:10:48Thank you.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50We tried to make an arrangement with the guy
0:10:50 > 0:10:52but obviously it was unaccepted.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55So if you've done wrong, you've got to pay for it.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57That's yours.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58That went very well, really.
0:10:58 > 0:10:59He was quite calm from the start.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03He did inform us that it should really have been his debt
0:11:03 > 0:11:06because it was a car he had on sale or return,
0:11:06 > 0:11:09not a car that was owned by West Car Sales.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11But it's got West Car Sales on it
0:11:11 > 0:11:15and all the stock there was West Car Sales, happily for us.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19There was a point where we didn't think he was going to be able to come up with the money
0:11:19 > 0:11:21cos he didn't have the PIN number for the credit card he had,
0:11:21 > 0:11:23but then he went off and appeared with cash.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26So...happy days. Another job done.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37And Lawrence isn't the only one who's pleased.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Excellent result, it's been a great day.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41I've contacted the Sheriffs' Office today
0:11:41 > 0:11:45and they've managed to recover all the money I was claiming.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48It's a shame that I've had to go to the extremes that I've had to.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52However, I'm just pleased to say it's all done, it's all dusted.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56We can now just move on and enjoy the rest of our lives.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58There is, however, one aspect of the court order
0:11:58 > 0:12:00that's yet to be resolved.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05Part of the judgment was that the car would be collected.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09To date, it still hasn't been collected and I'm in a situation now
0:12:09 > 0:12:14where I'm probably going to have to go back to the court
0:12:14 > 0:12:17with a view to getting the removal of the vehicle.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21So, you know, unfortunately that part of the story hasn't ended.
0:12:25 > 0:12:30Using the county courts to try and recover money you're owed isn't difficult.
0:12:30 > 0:12:341.5 million money claims are made every year in England and Wales,
0:12:34 > 0:12:38involving anything from faulty goods or poor workmanship
0:12:38 > 0:12:40to unpaid invoices.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44Claims can be filed by post or online for a small fee.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48Both parties in the case will be asked to submit evidence
0:12:48 > 0:12:50and you may have to attend a court hearing.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54If you're successful, a county court judgment, or CCJ,
0:12:54 > 0:12:56will be issued against the debtor.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00And if they still don't pay, that's when you call the sheriffs.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Sheriffs typically enforce over 1,000 writs every year.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10And while everyone is different,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13enforcement agents often find diplomacy is more effective
0:13:13 > 0:13:16than simply threatening to remove everything in sight.
0:13:18 > 0:13:23If it's necessary to play the long game, Ken Warby is happy to do so.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25He just wants his clients' money back.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30We're going to visit a hotel called the Stuart Hotel in Luton.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33It's a sizeable hotel, by all accounts.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37The hotel has been taken to court by a linen company
0:13:37 > 0:13:40over unpaid invoices.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44I'd imagine it's for tablecloths and bed linen, et cetera.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46Dry cleaning.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49The hotel didn't defend the case in court
0:13:49 > 0:13:51so a default judgment was issued against it.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55But more than three months later it remains unpaid,
0:13:55 > 0:14:00and now Ken needs to collect £6,276.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06From the outside, the hotel does indeed seem sizeable,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09and so looks promising for a payment.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11I would imagined there's quite a few assets in there -
0:14:11 > 0:14:13bar area, wet stock.
0:14:13 > 0:14:18There's always an office, PC equipment, TVs in each room.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21So, hopefully, we'll get somewhere.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26Ken heads in to tell them those assets are in jeopardy
0:14:26 > 0:14:28unless they can pay up.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32Hello. I'd like to speak to the MD. Person in charge? If possible.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35He's not available at the moment.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- Would you like to come back later on?- Not really.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- Is he in the building? - No, he's not. He just left.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- He will be here in one hour, probably.- About an hour?- Yeah.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48Is there any chance you can get him on the phone? It's quite important.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50The receptionist does just that,
0:14:50 > 0:14:54and moments later she's back with the manager on the line.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56What it's about...
0:14:57 > 0:14:59You're two minutes away? Brilliant.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01All right, I'll see you face to face.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02Thank you. Cheers, sir.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05With the manager on the way,
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Ken takes the opportunity to size up the assets on show.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10And after years in the trade,
0:15:10 > 0:15:13he knows exactly what he's looking for.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17Hotel's set out quite nice.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20Good-quality dining furniture.
0:15:20 > 0:15:26All proper heavy metal, chrome. Leather-backed.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28They've got some good equipment down here.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31It's always nice to see some assets as soon as you walk in.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37True to his word, the manager arrives moments later.
0:15:38 > 0:15:39Hello.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41And Ken follows him into the office.
0:15:42 > 0:15:47Right, sir, this is regarding a High Court judgment.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51Ken is just about to explain his writ, but, refreshingly,
0:15:51 > 0:15:53this time it's not necessary.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55You know exactly what this is about, do you?
0:16:01 > 0:16:04The manager said the hotel is under new management
0:16:04 > 0:16:07and the debt was incurred by the previous owner.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11As the debt in the business's name it still needs paying,
0:16:11 > 0:16:13and luckily the new owners agree.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Wonderful.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Oh, I was hoping you wouldn't say that.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25I was hoping you would say, "Right now".
0:16:25 > 0:16:27The court order was issued months ago,
0:16:27 > 0:16:31so it's Ken's job to get it paid as soon as possible.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- We could...- What can you get me now?
0:16:38 > 0:16:41That's fine. What can you pay tomorrow?
0:16:41 > 0:16:43You can pay £1,000 tomorrow?
0:16:48 > 0:16:51It's a bit of a letdown for Ken.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54But given that they acknowledge the debt and seem to have a plan for its
0:16:54 > 0:16:57repayment, he doesn't feel the need to threaten to empty the rooms
0:16:57 > 0:17:01and force the hotel to close its doors.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06Your total due, including charges, £6,276.
0:17:06 > 0:17:11- What I need to do is I need to list the assets here.- OK.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15- Because you can't pay right now. - Right.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19So what do you have other than what I've seen in the reception area?
0:17:19 > 0:17:21On the ground floor.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- 60 bedrooms?- Yeah.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26Kitchen area? There's a kitchen area.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29When a debtor can't pay,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32sheriffs have the option of agreeing a repayment plan
0:17:32 > 0:17:34and taking control of their assets.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38As this is a sizeable debt, Ken's list needs to be long.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41But luckily there's no shortage of items here.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43Glass washer, ice machine.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Bar chiller cabinets.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50His comprehensive list is also designed to make sure
0:17:50 > 0:17:53the manager knows he really does mean business.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57And now I'm just going to do the kitchen and then I'll do
0:17:57 > 0:18:01a rough guesstimate as to how much value we've got there,
0:18:01 > 0:18:04before making a decision of whether or not to go to the rooms
0:18:04 > 0:18:06and maybe look for the TV sets.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10But by the time he's been through the hotel's kitchen,
0:18:10 > 0:18:14he's has already got page after page of assets listed.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18Satisfied it's enough, he completes the paperwork.
0:18:18 > 0:18:25That's £1,000 tomorrow, followed by 5,276.56 next Wednesday.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27And he's on his way.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Thanks very much.
0:18:29 > 0:18:30I'm sure you'll get it done.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33I look forward to it. Cheers.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37He hasn't been paid, but Ken's happy he's made the right call for now.
0:18:37 > 0:18:42He was really nice, and it's a lovely hotel.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45If I was to go in there and start unplugging things,
0:18:45 > 0:18:48it would basically shut the place down.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50So he's promised me £1,000 tomorrow,
0:18:50 > 0:18:55and the balance is going to be paid in six days' time.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58He's pretty confident of that, I'm confident that he's confident.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Everyone's happy. I am for now.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Ken's taken the man at his word,
0:19:05 > 0:19:09but later he's forced to visit the business for a second time.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13You've broken the controlled goods agreement.
0:19:13 > 0:19:18So the reason we're here now is for full payment
0:19:18 > 0:19:21or removal of goods.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23It's as black and as white as that.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36It's before daybreak in the Midlands, and as usual
0:19:36 > 0:19:41enforcement agents Tommy Coyle and Craig Wild are already on the road.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44They've got a High Court writ and are preparing to knock on
0:19:44 > 0:19:48the door of another debtor - this time at a residential property.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51In Luton today. Big early start.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55Going to a home address of a Mr Charles Odong.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57We have limited information on him,
0:19:57 > 0:20:01only apart from the fact that he's actually a doctor.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Mr Odong has been taken to court by a Mr Simon Walsh
0:20:04 > 0:20:06over damage to a property.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11When he didn't offer a defence, judgment was offered by default.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14He now owes £3,226.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22The sheriffs reach Mr Odong's address at first light.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23- This one here.- This one.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25And there's a welcome discovery.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Oh, 59 plate Jag.
0:20:28 > 0:20:29- He's here.- He's here.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34That's his car. It might be clear of finance as well, mate.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- 59 plate.- That's seven years old, that is.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40But before they get too carried away with the car,
0:20:40 > 0:20:44they first try to make contact with the debtor.
0:20:44 > 0:20:45KNOCKING ON DOOR
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- Here we go.- Yeah.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55Their knocking has raised one of the occupants.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59Hello, there. I'm trying to get in contact with Charles Odong.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01I'm an enforcement agent.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05It's to do with a High Court writ that I'm here to execute today.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09I'm sorry, who are you?
0:21:09 > 0:21:11You're his daughter?
0:21:11 > 0:21:13OK. Do you want to open the door
0:21:13 > 0:21:16and I can just show you some identification of who I am?
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Tommy shows the woman his ID
0:21:18 > 0:21:22and explains that he's here for just over £3,200.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26If he can't get this sorted out by way of payment,
0:21:26 > 0:21:28unfortunately we would look at removing assets.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33The woman says her father can't come to the door and is in bed,
0:21:33 > 0:21:35but Tommy's undeterred.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38Tell him to ring me now, and I'll talk to him out here.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Or I can go in the van and talk to him, a bit more private.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Craig, meanwhile, can already sense payment in the air.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49It would appear that our defendant's inside the house.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51He's laid up in bed.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54She's refusing access at the moment, so Tommy's giving her
0:21:54 > 0:21:58some paperwork with the figure on and also Tommy's telephone number,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01so if he wants to play ball he can pay it straightaway.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04If he doesn't, then we're looking to take further action,
0:22:04 > 0:22:06which could possibly mean removing one of the cars.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10It is not long before Tommy's phone rings.
0:22:10 > 0:22:11Hello, there.
0:22:11 > 0:22:12It's Mr Odong.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15He says he is going to try to get the money together
0:22:15 > 0:22:17but he wants the sheriffs to wait for an hour
0:22:17 > 0:22:19until his wife comes home.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23Right, and waiting for the hour, is that to pay it in full?
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Because that's what needs to happen.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30We're here to execute the High Court writ which unfortunately would mean
0:22:30 > 0:22:33if you can't tell me this is going to get paid
0:22:33 > 0:22:36we would look at removing the vehicles off the drive,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39or one of them, if it will clear the balance.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Mr Odong says he can't afford the whole amount.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44If you can't pay...
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Sir, there's no point talking over me
0:22:46 > 0:22:48or we'll just carry on what we need to do.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50If we can't get it paid in full,
0:22:50 > 0:22:55which I've explained already twice now, we're here to remove assets.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59So there's no point in me waiting for your partner to come back,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02which you've just told me you can't pay it in full.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05Now Mr Odong says he might be able to pay it all,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07but needs to speak to his wife first.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Sir, sir, that's not what you just told me a moment ago.
0:23:09 > 0:23:10If you're telling me...
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Are you telling me you can pay this in full if we wait here?
0:23:13 > 0:23:17If you're not telling me that, then I'll carry on and clamp the vehicle
0:23:17 > 0:23:18and look to remove it.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22Mr Odong isn't sure whether he can raise the money or not.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Well, I'm going to clamp your vehicle, sir, unfortunately.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Right, let's clamp the car.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34But, moments after he ended the call, Mr Odong's daughter
0:23:34 > 0:23:36comes to the door once again.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Are you all right?
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Unsurprisingly, she doesn't want the car to go.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44No, I appreciate that, but...
0:23:44 > 0:23:46Yeah, the problem I've got...
0:23:47 > 0:23:49..which I explained to him,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52he can't tell me that he's going to have the full balance.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55What he's telling me is to wait until he's spoke to his partner
0:23:55 > 0:23:56and see what he can get.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58If he tells me he's going to have the full balance in an hour
0:23:58 > 0:24:00I will wait that hour.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04And he will have the full balance?
0:24:04 > 0:24:06What I'll do is I'll do all the checks I need to do
0:24:06 > 0:24:09and I'll start doing my paperwork.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11We'll wait that hour.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13All right, thank you very much.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16Tommy's going to give Mr Odong the benefit of the doubt.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19She did say they'll have the balance. That's all I was trying to get from him.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22I don't mind waiting an hour if they're telling me they're going to pay it in full.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26But while they're going to hold off on calling a removal truck for the time being,
0:24:26 > 0:24:30that doesn't mean they won't secure their prize asset.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Tommy gets the jaw out.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Let's see if I can get it on this back one.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37The back one, I think, Tom.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43OK?
0:24:43 > 0:24:45While they wait it out in the van,
0:24:45 > 0:24:49Craig decides to call the office for an HPI check on the Jag.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52That will hopefully confirm it's not on finance
0:24:52 > 0:24:54and so can be taken if needs be.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58Fingers crossed. It's what every enforcement agent wants to hear -
0:24:58 > 0:25:00"Clear of finance".
0:25:00 > 0:25:02'Hello.'
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Hi, Lawrence. Lawrence, can you do an HPI for me, please?
0:25:05 > 0:25:10- 'What's the reg?' - Alpha, Juliet, five, nine.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12It should come up as a Jaguar XF.
0:25:12 > 0:25:13'It does indeed.'
0:25:13 > 0:25:16'Blimey, it's on finance.'
0:25:16 > 0:25:17'It's an insurance write-off,
0:25:17 > 0:25:21'but presumably he paid to have it fixed himself.'
0:25:21 > 0:25:23It's the worst news possible.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27Not only is the Jaguar on a finance arrangement,
0:25:27 > 0:25:31it's also been in an accident so serious that an insurance company
0:25:31 > 0:25:35wrote it off before it was repaired and put back on the road.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38It's an unexpected blow for the sheriffs.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Our main lever is now gone.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45So, I mean, at the moment, he is...
0:25:45 > 0:25:48Well, they're still apparently getting the money.
0:25:48 > 0:25:54So we'll wait till the time and it's just down to use our other tactics.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Unfortunately this one ain't going to work, so.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03We'll evaluate the situation in 15 minutes' time.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06And play it by ear.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09But half an hour later, there's no sign of Mum.
0:26:13 > 0:26:14Tommy knocks on the door.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16You all right?
0:26:17 > 0:26:20No problem. Rough time, do you know?
0:26:20 > 0:26:23She's in the car, driving.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26We'll wait a bit longer. All right, thank you.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30Another ten minute passes, and a car pulls up.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32- That's her, isn't it? - You reckon that's her?
0:26:32 > 0:26:34That's her. Nice Toyota.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Yeah.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42But Mrs Odong doesn't hang around to speak to the sheriffs
0:26:42 > 0:26:44and heads inside.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47While they wait for her to decide if she's ready to engage with them,
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Craig spots an opportunity.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- Which one is the clamp on?- That one.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56He has now got his eye on the Toyota Mrs Odong pulled up in.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Can you do an HPI for me, please?
0:26:59 > 0:27:02Though hopefully it won't come to that.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10They don't look like they want to sort it out at the minute.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13But Mrs Odong does soon appear behind the door
0:27:13 > 0:27:15and Tommy's pretty sure she wants to pay.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17We can do it on an online transfer.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20I can give you some account details, if that's easiest.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24At least he thinks that's what she said.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Sorry, it's very difficult to hear you.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Hang on, there's a lorry out here.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31I can't hear what you're saying.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34It's very difficult to hear you through the door.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36ENGINE REVS
0:27:36 > 0:27:38Sorry?
0:27:38 > 0:27:43Part of our job, just conversing with people through locked doors.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Yeah, I've got some account details.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Do you want to take these off me? You can leave the chain on.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51But Mrs Odong opts for the letterbox instead.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Oh, yeah. Here we go.
0:27:53 > 0:27:59She makes the payment and Tommy soon has confirmation that £3,226
0:27:59 > 0:28:01have been received.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04That's brilliant. Thank you, Jackie. Bye-bye.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Yeah, that's all cleared in full.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10So that's classed as a satisfied judgment now.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13All right. Thank you very much.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17The Jaguar may not have come good for the sheriffs but, nonetheless,
0:28:17 > 0:28:19they've managed to get the outcome they wanted.
0:28:19 > 0:28:24Yeah, good result. Obviously we did the early attendance this morning,
0:28:24 > 0:28:26which we generally do with residential.
0:28:26 > 0:28:31You could see from their actions they weren't going to talk to us initially.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34We had to put the clamp on to put the pressure on, unfortunately.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36And ended up with the result of the payment in full,
0:28:36 > 0:28:38with the partner helping out.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40Which is what we wanted.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44The claimant, Mr Walsh, will now get the money he's owed.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56When debtors can't pay on the spot...
0:28:56 > 0:28:58I'm assuming that you haven't got £5,000?
0:28:58 > 0:29:00Oh, dear.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03The sheriffs won't always remove assets to get your money.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06Goods go for about one-fifth of their true value at auction,
0:29:06 > 0:29:09and it's often better to agree to a payment plan.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11If you can come up with half of it today...
0:29:11 > 0:29:14Do you reckon you can do 200 a week?
0:29:14 > 0:29:16They'll make a list of assets...
0:29:16 > 0:29:19Ice machine, bar chiller cabinets.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21Television, PlayStation.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23..and a controlled goods agreement is signed,
0:29:23 > 0:29:27making it an offence for anyone else to remove them.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30You sign the form, it acts as security.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33The sheriffs will only return to take the goods
0:29:33 > 0:29:35if the debtor fails to make payments.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38I've signed him up for £1,000 a month.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41Providing you stick to that, you won't hear from us again.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46Ken Warby is back in Luton.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49He's on his way once again to the Stuart Hotel,
0:29:49 > 0:29:55which owes more than £6,000 after failing to pay a linen company.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59Last time the manager told Ken he couldn't pay there and then,
0:29:59 > 0:30:01and promised to do so within the week.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03But the money hasn't arrived.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05The original payment plan was
0:30:05 > 0:30:09that he was going to pay me £1,000 the day after -
0:30:09 > 0:30:12which he never did, that took about a week -
0:30:12 > 0:30:14and the balance within six days.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Well, we are where we are now.
0:30:16 > 0:30:2114 days later, he's only paid the £1,000.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24Previously, Ken gave the manager the benefit of the doubt,
0:30:24 > 0:30:28but this time Ken won't compromise.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31The leverage we've got is that he's signed a controlled goods
0:30:31 > 0:30:37agreement, and the list we've made is quite a large list.
0:30:37 > 0:30:42If he doesn't pay, it's my intention to remove the items.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46When a CGA is broken,
0:30:46 > 0:30:49the sheriffs can return at any time to remove the assets -
0:30:49 > 0:30:52no ifs, no buts.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55So, one way or another, Ken won't be leaving empty-handed.
0:31:00 > 0:31:01- Hello.- Hello, again.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06Once again, he's led into the office where, to his surprise,
0:31:06 > 0:31:10the manager hands him a payment receipt.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13- This is a receipt you've got for online payment.- Yeah.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16You made yesterday, for £1,000.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Right. The problem is...
0:31:19 > 0:31:25When you originally signed that controlled goods agreement,
0:31:25 > 0:31:27it was you that said to me, straightaway,
0:31:27 > 0:31:29"I'll have the money in six days."
0:31:29 > 0:31:32And £1,000 to be paid the following day.
0:31:32 > 0:31:37That £1,000 took nearly a week to come to our office, OK?
0:31:37 > 0:31:39You paid that late to begin with.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43This was agreed 14 days ago.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48So you've broken the controlled goods agreement.
0:31:49 > 0:31:54So the reason we're here now is for full payment
0:31:54 > 0:31:56or removal of goods.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59As black and as white as that.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02And that's not the only bad news for the manager.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06The problem you've also got is that because I'm here now
0:32:06 > 0:32:09to remove goods, it's gone up.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14So with the £2,000 you already paid,
0:32:15 > 0:32:21the amount you owe now is £5,901.09.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23High Court costs. Very expensive.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28But the manager says he doesn't have £5,000
0:32:28 > 0:32:30and hands his phone over to Ken.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Let me stop you there. Who am I talking to?
0:32:40 > 0:32:41You're his friend?
0:32:43 > 0:32:46The man on the phone says the hotel is trying to come to an arrangement
0:32:46 > 0:32:48with the claimant to clear the debt.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54I understand that. Let me just stop you there, all right?
0:32:54 > 0:32:59The last contact we had with the claimant was that he had given it
0:32:59 > 0:33:01to us to deal with.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04It's in our hands and, as far as he's concerned,
0:33:04 > 0:33:06he wants his payment.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08But the man is still hoping to do a deal
0:33:08 > 0:33:11and says they can clear the debt in a couple of months.
0:33:13 > 0:33:14No, it's not acceptable, sir.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18No, sir. No, sir. We require payment in full now.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22And unfortunately it's gone up because we're here to remove goods.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31Yeah, it has gone up to the tune of £5,901,
0:33:31 > 0:33:33and it'll go up a further £300,
0:33:33 > 0:33:36should a van turn up here to remove goods.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40With a long list of hotel assets that now technically belong to the court,
0:33:40 > 0:33:44Ken wants full payment, and it's not up for negotiation.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47I'm here now to remove goods now.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51So rather than us waste any more time, please start making these
0:33:51 > 0:33:53phone calls now to get this money to me now.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55OK? I'll wait.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02No, I'm not going to go away and come back again, I'm here now.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08Sir, I've got a few hours,
0:34:08 > 0:34:10so please start making the phone calls,
0:34:10 > 0:34:14I'll wait here for the payments.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Believe me, the last thing I want to do
0:34:16 > 0:34:18is start removing goods from here.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21But that's exactly what will happen if he doesn't pay.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24And Ken reckons the threat is working.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27It's gone from two months to four hours.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31So if he can get the money that quick,
0:34:31 > 0:34:34I'm pretty confident we're going to get paid on this.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37We'll wait around. He's going to make a few phone calls.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41Ken makes himself comfortable in the dining room.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43And just ten minutes later,
0:34:43 > 0:34:46it seems things are moving in the right direction.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50You've got three grand coming, you've got a grand in your pocket,
0:34:50 > 0:34:53so you want just shy of two grand now.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55- You are waiting for.- Yeah.- OK.
0:34:55 > 0:35:00The problem is, that's not going to arrive for another few hours.
0:35:06 > 0:35:11Ken has heard this man's promises before and is understandably wary.
0:35:12 > 0:35:13But it does seem like the threat
0:35:13 > 0:35:16of imminent removal of goods has sunk in,
0:35:16 > 0:35:19and his efforts to secure the money are becoming more urgent.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25What he's saying to me is he's got £1,000 in his back pocket,
0:35:25 > 0:35:28which I didn't know he had when I first got in here.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32He's also contacted someone that is just about to transfer
0:35:32 > 0:35:35£3,000 into his account.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39So, in effect, he's got around about four.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42He needs another £1,900,
0:35:42 > 0:35:47and he's going to get someone else to help him out,
0:35:47 > 0:35:48transfer it to his account.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51However, that person is not going to be able to get that sorted
0:35:51 > 0:35:55for a few hours yet, so I think it's a question of waiting around.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58If I leave now then the pressure's off,
0:35:58 > 0:36:02so I'm going to stay around and have a coffee, I think.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08But in the end Ken doesn't even get the chance to enjoy a cappuccino.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12A few minutes later the manager calls him back into the office
0:36:12 > 0:36:15once more to tell him he has raised the full amount.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17That didn't take long, did it?
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Thank you very much.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23When he arrived this morning, it didn't look like the hotel
0:36:23 > 0:36:26was going to be able to come up with the money today.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29But Ken's tough stance has been rewarded
0:36:29 > 0:36:31and he's leaving with payment in full.
0:36:31 > 0:36:36It's gone from £2,000 tomorrow, and the balance in a couple of months,
0:36:36 > 0:36:39to immediate payment on a debit card.
0:36:39 > 0:36:40I thought I'd get paid.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43I didn't quite think I'd get paid as quick as that.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58Tommy and Craig are back in the van on their way to another job.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00This time they're looking for a car garage
0:37:00 > 0:37:03with a substantial debt to pay.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05So we're in Coventry today.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11A bit dark and gloomy, especially for Mr Harjinder Singh.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15On the writ is Mr Singh, trading as Cross Road Garage.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18A parts supplier went to court over unpaid bills.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21The case wasn't defended and a default judgment was made.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25The debt is now £12,007.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28The sheriffs are on their way to an address
0:37:28 > 0:37:31which they're assuming is the debtor's place of work.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34We've got a unit number, so it's obviously a commercial premises.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38So, hopefully, there'll be some assets there for us to look at
0:37:38 > 0:37:40and hopefully secure.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43With it being a garage, obviously there'll be tools,
0:37:43 > 0:37:46compressors, ramps.
0:37:46 > 0:37:51Could be a recovery vehicle, which hold a lot of value, generally.
0:37:51 > 0:37:52We'll be looking for all this.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55- It's just here, mate. - Oh, there it is, Cross Road Garage.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58The sheriffs pull in and survey the site.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02First impression, it's a medium sort of sized garage, workshop area
0:38:02 > 0:38:05with a fair few sort of mediocre cars,
0:38:05 > 0:38:08apart from one quite smart one, which may be the boss's.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10But we'll go and have a look now.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14Happy days.
0:38:16 > 0:38:17KNOCKING ON DOOR
0:38:17 > 0:38:19No-one in there. Must be in there, mate. There you go.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21- You all right?- Harjinder Singh?
0:38:21 > 0:38:23He's just gone to the shop.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25He'll be literally a couple of minutes if you want to wait.
0:38:25 > 0:38:26Fantastic. We can wait.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29Moments later, Mr Singh arrives.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32- Good morning, gentlemen. - Hello, sir. Is it Harjinder Singh?
0:38:32 > 0:38:35- That's me, yes.- Enforcement agents from the Sheriff's Office.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37Come on in.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39I will explain everything, sir.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42Mr Singh doesn't want our cameraman in his office
0:38:42 > 0:38:46so we step outside while Tommy and Craig explain that they're here
0:38:46 > 0:38:50to collect £12,000 the court says Mr Singh owes.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53But he is not in the mood to reach into his pocket.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55He says he doesn't owe any money,
0:38:55 > 0:38:58and after 15 minutes trying to set him straight,
0:38:58 > 0:39:01the sheriffs aren't getting anywhere.
0:39:01 > 0:39:06He's got an unusual sort of take on this.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09He claims not to know anything about the liability.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11We've explained to him we've got two names on the order,
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Cross Road Garage and him personally, trading as.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16He then explained that he runs the business
0:39:16 > 0:39:18but he's merely an employee.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21We told him to get the owner of the business on the phone,
0:39:21 > 0:39:22which just happens to be his wife.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25He has made no effort to contact her.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28He's also explained that he can't pay.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31We're going to start listing the stuff down with a view to removing
0:39:31 > 0:39:35the items, which we fully explained to him, at further cost.
0:39:35 > 0:39:40So hopefully this will provoke him into getting the money together.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42But it soon becomes abundantly clear
0:39:42 > 0:39:45that Mr Singh isn't going to back down in a hurry.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48Even the sight of Tommy and Craig listing garage equipment
0:39:48 > 0:39:52for potential removal isn't prompting him to change his stance.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56After nearly an hour since the sheriffs first arrived,
0:39:56 > 0:39:58they're in much the same position.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00He needs to get the wife on the phone,
0:40:00 > 0:40:02but he's singing the same tune.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04Nothing to do with him, he's just the manager of the business
0:40:04 > 0:40:07and it's all in his wife's name and she should deal with it.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09Yeah, it's a bit of a cat-and-mouse at the moment.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12We'll look to move the van back up now -
0:40:12 > 0:40:15obviously escalating this, so he knows it is happening.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19While Tommy swings the van into position, ready to receive some of the assets,
0:40:19 > 0:40:23Mr Singh comes out to tell us to get off the property.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25Leave from here as well. OK.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29Inside the garage, the sheriffs continue to list the goods,
0:40:29 > 0:40:31which he says don't belong to him.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34But in the meantime, Craig thinks he might have come up with another
0:40:34 > 0:40:38source of assets and another potential lever to demand payment.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44He thinks the car lot next door might be part of the same business.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47He reckons he hasn't got any cars for sale,
0:40:47 > 0:40:50but I've looked in the office and done a bit of a search in there
0:40:50 > 0:40:53and I've found some car keys which could relate to the actual vehicles
0:40:53 > 0:40:55behind the fence here.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58So he could actually, in fact, be doing car sales.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02The car lot seems to be branded as Cross Road Car Sales,
0:41:02 > 0:41:04which is a different trading name.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07But the telephone number is the same one as the garage.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Craig goes back to speak to Mr Singh
0:41:09 > 0:41:13and when he returns, it seems they might be getting somewhere.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16Mr Singh has finally called his wife.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20The initial conversation was him and his wife talking.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Tommy wanted to speak to the wife directly
0:41:22 > 0:41:26to make sure she's fully aware of the situation.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28But eventually when Tommy did speak to the wife,
0:41:28 > 0:41:29she said she wasn't going to pay it,
0:41:29 > 0:41:32she was just going to come down here and have the row.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37Clearly that's not what we want, so he's had another chat with his wife
0:41:37 > 0:41:39who now says she's going to come down and pay it.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42Craig, meanwhile, has made a phone call of his own.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45Cheers, mate. Take care. Bye-bye.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47At the moment we've been in contact with the office.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51They're organising the removal, the contractors to come down here.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53We'll wait on their phone call.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56But in the meantime, if she turns up and wants to pay it
0:41:56 > 0:41:59then we'll also look at doing that. But time is of the essence now.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01It's getting near the endgame now.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04So they need to either pay up or lose the gear.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06Simple as.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09A couple of minutes later, a car arrives.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12Yeah, that's the wife. That's the wife.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17And it seems she has indeed come with the money.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21She pays £12,000, settling the debt in full.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25The sheriffs unload some of the goods they'd secured in their van
0:42:25 > 0:42:29while they waited for the removal lorry, and are on their way.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31So, yeah, a good result there.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33We got paid in full, £12,600.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37It was touch-and-go the second half, but we got over the line.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41We'd already got to the stage of putting items
0:42:41 > 0:42:42in the back of the van.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45Hydraulic jacks, trolley jacks.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49It's the point we had to push it to to get them to take this seriously.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52More than three months after winning in court,
0:42:52 > 0:42:57the parts supplier will now receive the money they were rightfully owed.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01Meanwhile, Mr Singh's wife told us she was not aware of any paperwork
0:43:01 > 0:43:04from the courts in advance of the enforcement.
0:43:04 > 0:43:05She says...