0:00:02 > 0:00:03Meet the sheriffs.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05My name's Mr Grix. My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08- It's do with a High Court order. - They work for the High Court.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12And if it says you're owed money, it's their job to go and get it.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16I'm here for £6,072.18.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18They can demand payment on the spot.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20I'm here for the full balance.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22How are you going to pay it?
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Or remove assets instead.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26The car will be going unless you can pay it.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29You'll have a week to pay in full before it gets sold at auction.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33Obstructing their work can be a criminal offence.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34I wouldn't do that if I were you.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37The door needs to stay open.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Every year in England and Wales,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43unpaid debts totalling more than £80 million
0:00:43 > 0:00:45are recovered by the sheriffs.
0:00:48 > 0:00:54Coming up, a repair to Tony Grace's pride and joy wasn't up to scratch.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57I felt angry that they'd not done the job properly.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00But will the sheriffs be able to find enough assets
0:01:00 > 0:01:02to get his money back?
0:01:02 > 0:01:04This is a remapping device.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06About £3,000-£4,000 brand-new.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09A debtor's not happy to find Tommy on his doorstep.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13I'm not talking to you. This is not my house. You're not coming in.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19And the sheriffs face resistance on a factory floor.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21- Can you move? - On a commercial property,
0:01:21 > 0:01:23we can force entry if we need to, sir.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25- It's a court order, sir. - But you ain't got to come in.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34Enforcement agents Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally are on the road.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37They're heading to Bishops Stortford in Hertfordshire
0:01:37 > 0:01:39with a writ against a car garage.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42There is no doubt that the motoring trade is a common cause
0:01:42 > 0:01:44of disputes, and, as a result,
0:01:44 > 0:01:48it provides a steady stream of work for the sheriffs.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Today's debtor though is not the normal, run-of-the-mill garage
0:01:52 > 0:01:56and the vehicle at the centre of the dispute is no everyday car.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59We're going to see Porsche Dynamics Ltd.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01The money they owe is £1658
0:02:01 > 0:02:06and the debt is relating to some work they did.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09It's actually for a gearbox gasket replacement.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16The claimant in the case is heating engineer Tony Grace,
0:02:16 > 0:02:18a lifelong Porsche enthusiast,
0:02:18 > 0:02:20and the proud owner of a dolphin grey model.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23I've always had Porsches.
0:02:23 > 0:02:24I've always had a passion for them.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27I like the engine in the back and the sound of them.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31They're not overstated, the Porsches,
0:02:31 > 0:02:35but the 966 Turbo, it's the best one out of all of them.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39It's such a fast car and good fun, you know.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41If you have a row with your Mrs, or something,
0:02:41 > 0:02:45it's good to get in it and blow the cobwebs away.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49But even the finest engineering isn't without its flaws,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52and one day, Tony discovered his beloved car
0:02:52 > 0:02:54had sprung a leak in its gearbox.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59I noticed patches of oil on my drive and I thought, you know,
0:02:59 > 0:03:01I don't want to leave it because, obviously,
0:03:01 > 0:03:03it would damage the gearbox.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07So he looked around for a suitable specialist and someone he knew
0:03:07 > 0:03:10recommended Porsche Dynamics Ltd.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13When I first saw the garage, it seemed OK.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16I wasn't mad on the guy.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19He didn't seem as knowledgeable as other people that I've used,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21but you can be wrong on that,
0:03:21 > 0:03:24so I wouldn't hold that against him, you know.
0:03:24 > 0:03:29The man said the garage could fix the problem and charged Tony £700,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32but it didn't seem to make any difference.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34I kept taking it back and forward.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36I don't know whether they misdiagnosed it,
0:03:36 > 0:03:38but every time I got it back, it was leaking.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40So, in the end, I took it to a garage.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43I got it up on the ramp, and when I looked,
0:03:43 > 0:03:47they'd used a sealant on it and it was probably about six inches long,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50and I thought, you can't do that on a car like that!
0:03:50 > 0:03:55That's not really going to stop the pressured leak on the oil.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Even I know that and I'm not a mechanic.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Tony's final confirmation that he hadn't got the service he'd paid for
0:04:02 > 0:04:06came when the second garage made the repair he'd requested all along.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09He changed the gasket within five hours.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11He'd done a really good job and, touch wood,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13I've never had a problem with it.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16So, obviously,
0:04:16 > 0:04:18the other people didn't do the gasket.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21And that's when Tony began to get annoyed.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Because I had to take it somewhere else and pay again,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26I've sort of had to pay double,
0:04:26 > 0:04:28and I've thought, well, that's not right.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30If I pay for something that's cost me 700 quid
0:04:30 > 0:04:33and then I've got to pay again.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37I felt angry that they'd not done the job properly, really.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Tony got in touch with Porsche Dynamics Ltd to complain,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43and initially, it sounded like they were keen
0:04:43 > 0:04:44to get the matter resolved.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47He said, "Oh, yeah. We'll give you your money back."
0:04:47 > 0:04:48So he didn't argue at first.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51But this went on for weeks and weeks.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54In the end, I had no alternative but to sort of take it further,
0:04:54 > 0:04:56but I gave him plenty of warning.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58I didn't really want to go down that road,
0:04:58 > 0:05:02because I would have just preferred my 700 back and go somewhere else.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Tony took the company to court
0:05:04 > 0:05:07and won his case when they didn't offer a defence.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09They haven't paid.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Now he's escalated the case to the sheriffs.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16Yes. It's been over a year now, and the sheriffs are my last resort.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20If they don't get nowhere, I'll just have to accept it.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Lawrence and Kev are on their way to the debtor garage
0:05:28 > 0:05:31and it seems they and Tony have a lot in common.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Rather than tactics,
0:05:33 > 0:05:37the top conversational topic is the finer points of Porsche.
0:05:37 > 0:05:38I had one a few years ago, now.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40I had it for a long time. I loved it.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Never had any drama with it.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Did everything pretty well.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45It was a good car. I enjoyed it.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48If I had had the money, I would have had one when I was younger.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50I probably wouldn't now, to be honest.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52I'm getting to the time of life where I don't want to be
0:05:52 > 0:05:55getting down onto the level of a tea tray to get into my car.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59The sheriffs arrive at the industrial estate
0:05:59 > 0:06:03they're looking for and the debtor company isn't hard to spot.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- There it is.- The Porsche was a bit of a giveaway.
0:06:06 > 0:06:07That's how I roll.
0:06:07 > 0:06:08Like a ninja.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13The sheriffs head inside in search of £1,600.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Morning.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- Are you the guv'nor? - No, I'm not. He's in there.
0:06:20 > 0:06:21Oh, is he?
0:06:22 > 0:06:24Morning, sir.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27My name's Mr Grix.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33We're here with a High Court writ of control against Porsche Dynamics Ltd
0:06:33 > 0:06:35in favour of Mr AJ Grace.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- Right.- We're ordered here today by the court to take control
0:06:38 > 0:06:42of goods to the value of £1,658.02 to clear this debt.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45The only way to prevent further action is to pay in full.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48At this point, the man asks our cameraman to leave,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51while the conversation continues inside.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Do you know about this?
0:06:53 > 0:06:57The boss said he does and that he'd sent the sheriffs an e-mail,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00but a cheque would have been better.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03The sheriff's writ demands that they seek payment for Tony
0:07:03 > 0:07:04and they plan to get it,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07but while the line of Porsches outside suggests that,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10on the face of it, the business is doing well,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13it soon transpires that the situation might not be that simple.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Well, we were chatting to the owner in there.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18He hasn't got the money to pay it. That's the problem.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22The money he's actually offering to pay right now is very minimal.
0:07:22 > 0:07:27The debtor says he's got plenty of work but cash flow's a problem
0:07:27 > 0:07:29and so he can only raise £400,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32with the remainder to be paid over a period of weeks.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34But to go on a payment arrangement,
0:07:34 > 0:07:36Lawrence wants at least half the debt cleared today,
0:07:36 > 0:07:40and he'd need to take control of goods on the premises as security,
0:07:40 > 0:07:42and that's where there's a problem.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46It seems Porsche Dynamics Ltd has another unpaid debt,
0:07:46 > 0:07:50and a different enforcement agent has already called
0:07:50 > 0:07:52and had first dibs on everything here.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55They've actually listed and got an inventory of goods
0:07:55 > 0:07:58they've taken down into their possession.
0:07:58 > 0:08:04So, we've got to find other assets that they haven't taken control of.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08So, while the boss calls around to see if he can raise any more money,
0:08:08 > 0:08:12the sheriffs are on a treasure hunt for any assets that are left.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Predictably, the cars are all owned by customers,
0:08:15 > 0:08:18so Lawrence and Kev are focusing on the garage equipment.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22And so far, it's hardly proving to be a gold mine.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25As of now, there's only one diagnostics bit of kit
0:08:25 > 0:08:27that's worth... probably worth a couple of grand.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29We're just seeing what else there is.
0:08:29 > 0:08:30Most of the stuff's on finance as well.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33So he's getting the finance documentation together, as well.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36We'll get a result of sorts on this job.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38It just depends. It depends what it is.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40The sheriffs pride themselves on being able
0:08:40 > 0:08:43to get money back for their clients,
0:08:43 > 0:08:45but in this case, it's going to be difficult.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49It soon becomes clear that the boss can't raise any more money.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53The sheriffs have little option but to refuse his offer of £400
0:08:53 > 0:08:57and remove anything they can find which hasn't already been bagged
0:08:57 > 0:08:59by the other enforcement agent.
0:08:59 > 0:09:0445 minutes later, they are out the door with goods in hand.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07This is a remapping device,
0:09:07 > 0:09:14so you can remap the engine's ECU to give better performance,
0:09:14 > 0:09:15better economy.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19I would guess about £3,000-£4,000, brand-new.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22This is a snap-on bit of diagnostic kit,
0:09:22 > 0:09:24and it basically communicates with
0:09:24 > 0:09:28the car's computer system to read faults, reset faults.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Brand-new, this would probably be £3,000-£4,000,
0:09:32 > 0:09:34but again, at auction, you'd probably get half of that.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37It may not be the Crown Jewels,
0:09:37 > 0:09:39but it should raise enough at auction
0:09:39 > 0:09:41to cover Porsche Dynamics' debt.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44That's if the man doesn't come up with the money first
0:09:44 > 0:09:45and within seven days.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48I think he'll potentially buy it back.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51I think he'll try and get the money together to buy it back
0:09:51 > 0:09:53before it gets sold. Hopefully.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55In fact, the boss never did make any payment at all
0:09:55 > 0:09:58and his equipment has been listed for auction.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02The claimant, Tony Grace, should get his money back any day now
0:10:02 > 0:10:06and is delighted to see the matter finally coming to an end.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Yeah. Good news. Probably, with the money,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12I'll probably end up spending it on the dog.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14She's got a bad foot.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17It's nice to have it come to an end and put it to bed,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20and then forget about it and move on.
0:10:20 > 0:10:21Life's for living.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Porsche Dynamics Ltd told us that...
0:10:53 > 0:10:57Using the county courts to try to recover money you're owed
0:10:57 > 0:10:58isn't difficult.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01One and a half million money claims are made every year
0:11:01 > 0:11:04in England and Wales, involving anything from faulty goods
0:11:04 > 0:11:07or poor workmanship to unpaid invoices.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12Claims can be filed by post or online for a small fee.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Both parties in the case will be asked to submit evidence
0:11:15 > 0:11:18and you may have to attend a court hearing.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22If you're successful, a County Court Judgment, or CCJ,
0:11:22 > 0:11:26will be issued against the debtor, and if they still don't pay,
0:11:26 > 0:11:27that's when you call the sheriffs.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36First and foremost, sheriffs are looking to get their clients money,
0:11:36 > 0:11:40but that doesn't always mean going in hard.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44Sometimes, it pays to play the long game and take a gentler approach.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48In the Midlands, enforcement agents Tommy Coyle and Craig Wild
0:11:48 > 0:11:51are on their way to a tricky assignment.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53We're out early this morning, very early, in fact.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55We're out on the outskirts of Oxford.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58We're going to go and make an early call today
0:11:58 > 0:12:03to hopefully catch a gentleman at home. It's a home address,
0:12:03 > 0:12:04and it's a lot of money.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06It's £14,000.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08The debtor is called Philip Blakeman
0:12:08 > 0:12:13and he was taken to court by a friend who sold him his Land Rover
0:12:13 > 0:12:15for £10,000 over a year and a half ago.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19But, after receiving the vehicle, Mr Blakeman never paid for it.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22He didn't defend the case
0:12:22 > 0:12:25and default judgment was made against him.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29The sheriffs are now here to collect £14,625,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32including costs and fees.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37The first thing they'll be looking for is that Land Rover.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40If the vehicle would cover the total value of the debt,
0:12:40 > 0:12:41there'd be no discussion.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44The vehicle will be gone, or we want full payment.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48But in this circumstance, it wouldn't cover the full debt,
0:12:48 > 0:12:51but it is sufficient still to remove if there's not going to be
0:12:51 > 0:12:53a substantial offer on the plate.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58But as they arrive at Mr Blakeman's home, the sheriffs are dealt a blow.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00There's no cars at all on the driveway.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01Nothing there, is there?
0:13:04 > 0:13:05Where's the Freelander?
0:13:05 > 0:13:08There's no sign of the Land Rover, or, for that matter,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10any other vehicles.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21You wouldn't live here without a car, would you?
0:13:21 > 0:13:24One possibility is that he's already left the house,
0:13:24 > 0:13:28but there don't seem to be any tracks in the frost on the drive.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30It looks like the sheriffs might have lost
0:13:30 > 0:13:32their main bargaining chip,
0:13:32 > 0:13:35but either way, they need to speak to Mr Blakeman.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39KNOCKING
0:13:41 > 0:13:45A light's on inside but there's no answer at the door.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48Craig, meanwhile, discovers the garage is unlocked,
0:13:48 > 0:13:50meaning the sheriffs are legally allowed to enter.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52That's... Yeah. That's open.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54See if the car's in.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58Tommy sneaks a look for any sign of the Land Rover, but it's no joy.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00It's not there.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03And there's still no answer at the door.
0:14:03 > 0:14:04I think we've missed him, mate.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06It looks dead as a dodo.
0:14:11 > 0:14:12It's like a toilet light.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16- A bathroom light.- A bathroom light, and all it is is a hallway light.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19I think he's gone, because, look, the cars aren't here either.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Do you think the car's been there?
0:14:22 > 0:14:25I think, Craig, let's get back in the van.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27There is a chance Mr Blakeman has popped out
0:14:27 > 0:14:29and could return with the car,
0:14:29 > 0:14:32so Tommy and Craig decide to wait in the van,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35but just as they're getting comfortable.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Oh, there's someone in. I've just seen him go past that window.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Big guy. So, he's in.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42He just doesn't want to come to the door.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44It seems Mr Blakeman was here all along.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Let's go back and knock.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48KNOCKING
0:14:50 > 0:14:52This time, he answers.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Hello there. Is it Mr Blakeman?
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- Yeah, that's me.- I'll show you some identification.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59I'm not talking to you. I've already spoken to you on the phone.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01You're not going to be talking to us. Why's that?
0:15:01 > 0:15:02It's going to be paid at the end of the month.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04It's going to be paid at the end of the month?
0:15:04 > 0:15:07If you're saying that you can pay us in full at the end of the month,
0:15:07 > 0:15:09we can facilitate that, but we need to secure the debt today.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11This isn't my house, for starters.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13There's nothing in here that belongs to me. I just use a room here.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- Right.- I've already told them that. So, that's the end of it.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Right, well, it's not the end of it, sir, because at the moment,
0:15:19 > 0:15:21they want us to execute this order.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23Yes, but it's not my house. You're not coming in.
0:15:23 > 0:15:24Can you show me anything, evidence-wise,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27that you are going to get that money at the end of the month,
0:15:27 > 0:15:29- and I can obviously...- No.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31It's being borrowed and being paid at the end of the month.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Right. Well...
0:15:34 > 0:15:37KNOCKING
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Mr Blakeman isn't being very cooperative.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44Although he says he's going to pay, Tommy needs more than that.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46We can't just take his word for that.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50There's a process where we can do a controlled goods agreement,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52but he doesn't appear interested in that.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54So, I'll try him again.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59KNOCKING
0:15:59 > 0:16:02But there's still no answer
0:16:02 > 0:16:06and Tommy knows they might have their work cut out.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Our main lever here is the vehicle.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Hence coming out early.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12Having seen no vehicle,
0:16:12 > 0:16:15the external assets we have in the garage are well insufficient,
0:16:15 > 0:16:21so if he's not going to cooperate, we're a little bit stuck.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23So, he keeps trying.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Mr Blakeman, can you just come to the door for a moment
0:16:26 > 0:16:30so I can explain the next process, what we're going to be doing?
0:16:30 > 0:16:32Hi, sir.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34I just want to explain to you,
0:16:34 > 0:16:38we're going to be taking control of the goods inside the garage for now.
0:16:38 > 0:16:39All right. OK.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Mr Blakeman is finally playing ball.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Tommy and Craig begin listing any assets of his
0:16:44 > 0:16:47they can find to use as security against the debt.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50There's not much in the garage,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53but there is some expensive sports equipment,
0:16:53 > 0:16:56including top of the range cricket kit.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59You've got three Kookaburra bats.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01Pads, one aero.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Kit bag/trolley.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08And a valuable bicycle from a well-known brand.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- One Boardman.- Racing bike, is it?
0:17:13 > 0:17:15Once they've listed everything they can,
0:17:15 > 0:17:17they just need Mr Blakeman's signature.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20This is going to be a controlled goods agreement you're signing.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22It's a legally binding contract.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25It's going to give you until just before the Wednesday.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27If Mr Blakeman doesn't make the payment he's promised
0:17:27 > 0:17:30by the end of the month, they'll be back.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33- You take care. Cheers.- Bye.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38The sheriffs don't like to walk away without payment
0:17:38 > 0:17:42but sometimes they find it's better to cut a debtor a bit of slack.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Bit of a difficult job, really,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47because the main lever we were going after was the vehicle.
0:17:47 > 0:17:48The vehicle wasn't present,
0:17:48 > 0:17:51so all we had to work off was trying to get in the house,
0:17:51 > 0:17:53and he was quite adamant, as you could see, not to let us in.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56He's got three cricket bats in there,
0:17:56 > 0:17:58expensive sort of kit bags
0:17:58 > 0:18:00and pads and gloves and a helmet.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02They are expensive.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05However, in comparison to the liability he owes,
0:18:05 > 0:18:06quite insignificant,
0:18:06 > 0:18:10but it does facilitate the situation for us to give him time to pay,
0:18:10 > 0:18:12which I think is what he wanted.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15But later, has more time solved the problem?
0:18:15 > 0:18:19The sheriffs return to visit Mr Blakeman once again.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32In the North West, enforcement agent Alan Pennington is on his way
0:18:32 > 0:18:34to see an asbestos removal firm.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37We're off to Westhoughton,
0:18:37 > 0:18:39just the other side of Bolton,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42to see a company called Malrod Environmental.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47Malrod Environmental Ltd have been taken to court
0:18:47 > 0:18:50by Heysham Demolition Ltd, who say they own some equipment
0:18:50 > 0:18:54hired out for use on a construction site, but never got it back.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58The judgment was awarded by default,
0:18:58 > 0:19:02and now Malrod Environmental Ltd owes £4,521.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09But the case may not be as clear cut as Alan would like.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11The debtor has been in touch,
0:19:11 > 0:19:13claiming that the case is going back to court,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16and in the meantime, there's an order in place
0:19:16 > 0:19:20called a stay of execution, which puts any enforcement action on hold.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24They say that they've got a stay of execution on the case.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27That has not been seen yet by the officer or myself,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30so we'll be there shortly and if they've got it,
0:19:30 > 0:19:32they'll need to produce it.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35If they haven't got it, then they'll need to pay their debt.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39It's now down to Alan to find out whether Malrod's version of events
0:19:39 > 0:19:40is accurate.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44It's up to the debtor to provide the relevant court paperwork,
0:19:44 > 0:19:48and if they can't, then the sheriffs have every right to enforce.
0:19:48 > 0:19:49Newish building.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55Quite a big company, so I'm sure they will have
0:19:55 > 0:19:58no issue with the payment.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02Let's see if they've got a stay of execution, eh?
0:20:02 > 0:20:05As Alan walks into reception...
0:20:05 > 0:20:06- Hiya.- Hello.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10..a man immediately comes to see him who knows about the debt,
0:20:10 > 0:20:13so Alan gets straight to the point.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16If you've got a stay of execution, I need to see it.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22They've not done it yet?
0:20:23 > 0:20:26It seems the man has misunderstood the situation.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29He's applying to have the judgment against Malrod set aside,
0:20:29 > 0:20:32but as he hasn't yet heard from the court,
0:20:32 > 0:20:36there's no guarantee the application will be successful,
0:20:36 > 0:20:39and so currently, that original judgment stands.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42A set aside is different to a stay of execution,
0:20:42 > 0:20:45but it doesn't sound like he's got either.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49That still needs paying because enforcement actually continues
0:20:49 > 0:20:51until we receive a stay of execution.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54That money goes into an account for 14 days.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57- If a stay of execution comes in, it is refunded back.- Right.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01It's not what the man wanted to hear,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04but it doesn't look like he's going to put up a fight.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08So what I'll do, are you going to pay by BACS, like?
0:21:08 > 0:21:11So if you can do that for me, that figure there.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13OK?
0:21:16 > 0:21:18The man is going to pay in full.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21The money will be held by the sheriffs for 14 days
0:21:21 > 0:21:24before being passed on to the claimant,
0:21:24 > 0:21:28giving the company time to make a legal challenge if it wants to.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- All right, thanks for your time. - See you.- Ta-ra.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Great stuff. Thanks, love. Ta-ra.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Malrod Environmentals Ltd's application
0:21:39 > 0:21:41to get the judgment set aside was not successful
0:21:41 > 0:21:45and the demolition company got the money the court said
0:21:45 > 0:21:46they were owed.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49Malrod told us they don't believe they owed the debt
0:21:49 > 0:21:52and said they would have paid it willingly if they did.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54They say they originally filed a defence against the claim
0:21:54 > 0:21:57but their form was returned to them by the courts.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09It's another early morning start for Tommy and Craig
0:22:09 > 0:22:13who are on their way to see Philip Blakeman for a second time.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16He owes more than £14,000 after buying a Land Rover
0:22:16 > 0:22:21from a friend over 18 months ago which he never paid for.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24On their last meeting, he promised the sheriffs he'd clear the debt
0:22:24 > 0:22:28within a week, but three weeks later they are yet to receive any money.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31He's been in contact via text message with myself,
0:22:31 > 0:22:35initially saying he's going to be paying a few days later.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38That didn't come to fruition.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42There was another promise of payment and it has not come in a week later,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45hence we are here early this morning to enforce.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49So far, the decision to give Mr Blakeman more time hasn't paid off.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Today, they could remove the goods from his garage
0:22:52 > 0:22:54which they've already taken into control.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58But they are not worth that much and Craig is still pinning his hopes
0:22:58 > 0:23:00on finding the Land Rover.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03We are primarily looking for this vehicle today
0:23:03 > 0:23:06which has a lot more value in it.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08This time they have come even earlier
0:23:08 > 0:23:11in the hope of finding it on the drive.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13No, nothing there.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17But once again they are disappointed.
0:23:17 > 0:23:18Can you believe it?
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Without the Land Rover to use as leverage,
0:23:21 > 0:23:23for a second time they are going to have to rely
0:23:23 > 0:23:25on their powers of persuasion.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31GARAGE DOOR CREAKS, KNOCKING
0:23:31 > 0:23:32It's open.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37Mr Blakeman. You all right?
0:23:37 > 0:23:39The payment didn't come in.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43Unfortunately we are here to enforce it today.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46You were talking about your mother before...
0:23:56 > 0:23:59It shouldn't have taken this long to clear.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02All right, so how come you didn't get in contact to tell us
0:24:02 > 0:24:04it was going to be 14 days?
0:24:04 > 0:24:07It doesn't look good, does it?
0:24:07 > 0:24:11But whatever the reason, Mr Blakeman doesn't have the money,
0:24:11 > 0:24:12so Tommy tries a different tack
0:24:12 > 0:24:16and decides to reveal his knowledge of the key asset,
0:24:16 > 0:24:18the missing Land Rover.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20You've got a vehicle registered to you.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22Where's the vehicle?
0:24:24 > 0:24:26It's not working?
0:24:30 > 0:24:31Is it?
0:24:31 > 0:24:33So, in order to satisfy their writ,
0:24:33 > 0:24:37the sheriffs will have to take some of Mr Blakeman's other goods,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40provided they can cover a reasonable amount of the debt.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43They already know the contents of the garage won't be enough,
0:24:43 > 0:24:46so they turn their attention to the property itself.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49What about the goods inside the house?
0:24:51 > 0:24:54I know you keep saying it, we've not seen any evidence of that so far.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58You cohabit or own here, Mr Blakeman?
0:24:58 > 0:25:00If there's no payment today,
0:25:00 > 0:25:02you need to show us evidence of what belongs to who.
0:25:06 > 0:25:07You know we can't do that.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10I mean, obviously, you signed a controlled goods agreement,
0:25:10 > 0:25:13the last message I had from you was that you were going to pay it.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Obviously we've not heard from you since.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Mr Blakeman goes inside to get evidence from his landlady
0:25:21 > 0:25:25to prove it's not his house and he doesn't own any of the contents.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28He soon returns with a bundle of paperwork.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30Scottish Power, that's fine.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34Santander, that's just the insurers. Yeah, that's fine.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38That was the electric, utility bill. Lovely.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41His story seems to be checking out.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45If he really can't pay now and his only assets are those in the garage,
0:25:45 > 0:25:48it might be best to give him a bit more time.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53If there are insufficient assets here,
0:25:53 > 0:25:55then we leave you documentation today
0:25:55 > 0:25:59which will give you seven days to make the payment in full.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02But that deal's only on the table if the sheriffs can satisfy themselves
0:26:02 > 0:26:05he really doesn't own anything else.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08On that basis, Mr Blakeman agrees to let Tommy inside
0:26:08 > 0:26:10to take a look at his room.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13When he returns he explains what he's seen.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16- He's just got a small room. - Has it been slept in tonight?
0:26:16 > 0:26:18- It's been slept in.- OK.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Unfortunately, I think we've done as much as we can today.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23It's all we can do, isn't it? End of.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26The sheriffs are going to have to call it quits for now.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29At this stage, I do actually believe everything he is saying.
0:26:29 > 0:26:30I think he has no money.
0:26:30 > 0:26:35And he is just staying in a room here as a friend.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39He said to me it's still going to get paid within seven days.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42In fact, it takes nearly three weeks,
0:26:42 > 0:26:44but Mr Blakeman did finally raise the money
0:26:44 > 0:26:49and paid £14,735 to clear his debt.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53The friend who sold him the Land Rover has finally got his money.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04If you have won a County Court judgment and haven't been paid,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07for £66 you can get the case transferred up to the High Court
0:27:07 > 0:27:11which will issue a writ for enforcement by the sheriffs.
0:27:11 > 0:27:16My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18They've got special powers of entry.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21We don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24And there is no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26£1.6 million.
0:27:28 > 0:27:29If they're successful,
0:27:29 > 0:27:31they will recover your money and costs from the debtor.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Have you got the cash now then?
0:27:33 > 0:27:36As well as their own fees, which are set by the Government.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38She's paid, the judgment is settled.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40Thank you very much.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42If the sheriffs can't get your money,
0:27:42 > 0:27:46they'll ask you to pay a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56It's mid-morning and Tommy and Craig are on the outskirts of Birmingham.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59They are looking for a man who runs a sandwich business
0:27:59 > 0:28:02and who owes thousands of pounds to a former worker.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05We're off to go and see Mr Trevor Johnson.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08He trades as TJ's Sandwiches.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11This one's an employment tribunal case,
0:28:11 > 0:28:14so it's clearly a dispute between employer and employee.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19The claimant says she'd worked for Mr Johnson for ten years
0:28:19 > 0:28:22before he made her redundant without notice.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25He also made unauthorised deductions from her wages
0:28:25 > 0:28:27and owes her holiday pay.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Mr Johnson didn't attend the hearing
0:28:29 > 0:28:34and the tribunal ruled against him by default.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37He still hasn't paid and owes £4,036.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44As the address on the writ appears to be
0:28:44 > 0:28:48for some kind of industrial unit, rather than Mr Johnson's home address,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51the sheriffs are hopeful of finding suitable assets.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55I think this is actually where they prep and make the sandwiches,
0:28:55 > 0:28:58so we'll be looking for the prep tables
0:28:58 > 0:29:02and actual machinery that may make the sandwiches,
0:29:02 > 0:29:05and refrigerated vehicles is always a good one in places like this,
0:29:05 > 0:29:07we'll be looking for them.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09Hopefully, we'll get the employee the money
0:29:09 > 0:29:12that the court has said that she deserves.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16But all this talk of sandwiches is making Tommy hungry.
0:29:16 > 0:29:21Oh, I do like a good sandwich, two slices of granary bread, no butter,
0:29:21 > 0:29:24some Mexican-style chicken,
0:29:24 > 0:29:28some green and black olives with some salsa,
0:29:28 > 0:29:31a bit of avocado and some crispy bacon.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33That's a lovely sandwich.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38It's also unlikely to be on offer today,
0:29:38 > 0:29:41but he will happily settle for payment instead.
0:29:41 > 0:29:46The sheriffs reach their destination and head in in search of Mr Johnson.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49Hello.
0:29:49 > 0:29:50- Hello.- Is Mr Johnson about?
0:29:52 > 0:29:53Can he be contacted at all?
0:29:56 > 0:29:58Has anybody got his number?
0:29:58 > 0:30:01No? Who's in charge whilst he's not here?
0:30:05 > 0:30:08So, there's no-one in charge and no-one can contact the boss.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10Craig is sceptical.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13Nobody has got his telephone number at all?
0:30:13 > 0:30:15Who would you phone in an emergency?
0:30:17 > 0:30:18You just deal with it yourselves?
0:30:20 > 0:30:22I'll explain who I am.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25My name is Mr Wild and we are High Court enforcement agents.
0:30:26 > 0:30:31We are here today to execute a court order, a High Court writ of control.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35So we need to get in contact with Mr Johnson.
0:30:35 > 0:30:36As a matter of urgency.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41But just then a man emerges from the back.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Hello, sir. Are you Mr Johnson?
0:30:43 > 0:30:45Hello, Mr Johnson.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47My name's Mr Wild.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50It seems Mr Johnson was here all along.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54And he now excuses himself momentarily to switch off a machine.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57Well, there you go.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00All of a sudden, he turns up at the back, so...
0:31:05 > 0:31:08Door was open, there, look. He's now trying to tell the staff
0:31:08 > 0:31:10they're in the wrong for leaving the door open,
0:31:10 > 0:31:13which clearly gave us peaceable access into the industrial unit.
0:31:13 > 0:31:14We'll put him right.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18When Mr Johnson returns, he asks our cameraman to leave.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30Inside, Tommy and Craig explain they're here on behalf
0:31:30 > 0:31:34of his former employee and their writ empowers them
0:31:34 > 0:31:36to collect just over £4,000.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39Otherwise, they'll have to remove goods to cover the value instead.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42Thankfully, Mr Johnson knows all about the debt
0:31:42 > 0:31:45and the sheriffs are spared the task of working out
0:31:45 > 0:31:48whether any of the vehicles outside belong to him
0:31:48 > 0:31:52or weighing up the auction value of a whole lot of lettuce
0:31:52 > 0:31:53and bread rolls.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56He agrees to pay, and half an hour later, Tommy and Craig are leaving,
0:31:56 > 0:32:00slightly surprised about how straightforward it was
0:32:00 > 0:32:03considering the reception they got when they arrived.
0:32:03 > 0:32:04We've gained peaceable access,
0:32:04 > 0:32:09met the workers who initially said that our guy wasn't there.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12But like the Scarlet Pimpernel, he appeared from the back.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14His wife was actually in the office at the front of the building,
0:32:14 > 0:32:18so explained the situation and ultimately we got paid in full.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22Normally, that would be the end of the matter, but in this case,
0:32:22 > 0:32:25today's enforcement is only half the story.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27The debt itself was an employment tribunal case,
0:32:27 > 0:32:29it appears to be one of two employees.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32He's expecting another one to come through quite quickly,
0:32:32 > 0:32:36so Tommy explained to him if he can get that resolved before we turn up
0:32:36 > 0:32:39it's going to be more financially viable for him to do that.
0:32:42 > 0:32:43Following the sheriffs' visit,
0:32:43 > 0:32:47Mr Johnson also paid the second tribunal award,
0:32:47 > 0:32:51meaning that both of his former employees have now got the money
0:32:51 > 0:32:53the employment tribunal said they were owed.
0:33:06 > 0:33:07Back in the south-east,
0:33:07 > 0:33:11Lawrence and Kev are also looking for a businessmen with a debt to pay.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14But this is a very different kind of business
0:33:14 > 0:33:16and an unusual case for them.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19We are in Epsom in Surrey today.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21We are going to see Kieran Midwinter,
0:33:21 > 0:33:23trading as Epsom Rocks Tanning.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26So, as you probably can guess, it's a tanning salon.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28It's for sale of sunbed tubes.
0:33:28 > 0:33:29They didn't pay for them.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36Mr Midwinter has been taken to court by the supplier of the sunbed tubes.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40He didn't defend the case and judgment has been made by default.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44He now owes £3,373.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50Neither Lawrence nor Kev are especially familiar
0:33:50 > 0:33:51with what goes on in a tanning salon.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54Not really into sunbeds, to be honest.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57I like going on holiday and getting a bit of tan.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59I know Lawrence is a fan of that, as well.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01Yeah, because there's quite a lot of me to get tanned, really.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04I'm pretty sure I remember him telling me he's got yellow Speedos,
0:34:04 > 0:34:06I think. I think it is. Is that right?
0:34:06 > 0:34:09No, I haven't got any budgie smugglers.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13But a holiday seems a million miles away
0:34:13 > 0:34:16as they slog through the Epsom traffic.
0:34:16 > 0:34:17Pretty heavy.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19Yeah, go on.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21So, I think parking's going to be a bit of an issue.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25Lawrence does manage to bag what he thinks is a good spot.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27Only to be disappointed.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29Oh! Permit holders only.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32I'll stay here if you want. Just give us a shout if you need us.
0:34:32 > 0:34:33Yeah. All right, mate.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37Let me know if them beauty technicians give you any grief.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39Right, if they jump me and, like, pin me to the floor, you mean?
0:34:39 > 0:34:41Yeah, them sunbed assistants.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43So Lawrence heads to the debtors on foot,
0:34:43 > 0:34:46while Kev does the decent thing and minds the van.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50It's not always ideal to leave Lawrence on his own.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52For safety reasons more than anything.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55But there's nothing worse than getting a parking ticket,
0:34:55 > 0:34:58so Lawrence will be all right in the sunbed shop on his own.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01The sheriffs are banking on the tanning salon
0:35:01 > 0:35:03being a fairly unthreatening environment.
0:35:03 > 0:35:07They obviously hadn't factored in the soundtrack.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09LOUD DANCE MUSIC
0:35:09 > 0:35:11Hello!
0:35:16 > 0:35:18Hello, sir. I'm looking for Kieran Midwinter.
0:35:18 > 0:35:19Would that be yourself, sir?
0:35:22 > 0:35:25It is indeed the man named on the High Court writ.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28Lawrence tells him he's got an unpaid debt
0:35:28 > 0:35:29and that's he's here to collect.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31MUSIC VOLUME DECREASES
0:35:31 > 0:35:35That's better. I'm here today to take control of goods
0:35:35 > 0:35:37to the value of £3373.41.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40The only way to prevent further action is to pay in full, sir.
0:35:43 > 0:35:44Overdue invoices.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47So that's what the debt is.
0:35:47 > 0:35:48No, sure.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53While they do, our cameraman has to step outside.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57Mr Midwinter tells Lawrence he didn't know about the debt,
0:35:57 > 0:36:00but he doesn't dispute it and wants to pay,
0:36:00 > 0:36:01only he doesn't have the money.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06The gentleman didn't appear to know anything about it.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08He knew there was an original small debt
0:36:08 > 0:36:12but he didn't realise it had gone to a debt collection company, etc, etc.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15He hasn't been running the salon himself for quite a while.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17He's only just gone back in there,
0:36:17 > 0:36:20so it looks like any of the post that went there
0:36:20 > 0:36:22with regards to this he didn't actually get.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Whether the staff threw it away or whatever, I don't know.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29Lawrence has explained to Mr Midwinter
0:36:29 > 0:36:31that if he doesn't come up with the money
0:36:31 > 0:36:33then he'll remove his sunbeds,
0:36:33 > 0:36:35and soon the pair agree to a creative solution
0:36:35 > 0:36:38to the problem, as a slightly bemused Kev
0:36:38 > 0:36:41explains from the comfort of the van.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43OK, so I got an update from Lawrence.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47The debtor, he has sold his car recently.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50The money for that is actually at another premises
0:36:50 > 0:36:52which is about 20 miles from here.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55That would cover the debt that we're after.
0:36:55 > 0:36:5720 miles from here, maybe,
0:36:57 > 0:36:59but just a few miles from the sheriffs' office
0:36:59 > 0:37:01and their colleague Tommy.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04It's a bit long-winded and round the houses
0:37:04 > 0:37:07but hopefully Tommy can go and collect this money,
0:37:07 > 0:37:09give us a call that he's collected it
0:37:09 > 0:37:12and we can be off from here without removing goods.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15Tommy may not be used to playing the role of Lawrence's courier,
0:37:15 > 0:37:18but his help will save the sheriffs hours of time
0:37:18 > 0:37:21and possibly get their client paid quicker.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24Half an hour later, his efforts have paid off
0:37:24 > 0:37:27and Lawrence explains his tactics.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30There are three sunbeds in total and they'd all be a bit
0:37:30 > 0:37:31of an effort to remove,
0:37:31 > 0:37:34and they wouldn't have sold for very much anyway.
0:37:36 > 0:37:37And with that in mind,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Lawrence is satisfied they have made the right call.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44He's paid £2,810 off the debt today
0:37:44 > 0:37:47and I've got a controlled goods agreement in place
0:37:47 > 0:37:51and he's got to pay just under £600 in two weeks' time
0:37:51 > 0:37:55to clear the debt, so I'm quite happy with that.
0:37:55 > 0:37:56Thank you, Tommy.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14Today, enforcement agents Tommy and Craig
0:38:14 > 0:38:18have been working in the Midlands, and in the middle of the afternoon,
0:38:18 > 0:38:21their third call of the day leads them into the city.
0:38:21 > 0:38:25We are in the centre of Birmingham more or less today,
0:38:25 > 0:38:30off to a limited company called Zebra Worldwide Machinery Ltd.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33It's run by a Simon Graham Wintermore.
0:38:33 > 0:38:38We believe it's in relation to a machine that he supplied.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42The claimant is a customer who wasn't happy with a lathe he bought.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46He took the matter to court and won a judgment against the company,
0:38:46 > 0:38:48but he didn't receive his money.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50Two months down the line,
0:38:50 > 0:38:53the sheriffs are hoping to collect £5,834.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59But as they approach, it doesn't look promising.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01It's all locked up, mate.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03That doesn't look good, does it?
0:39:05 > 0:39:07The sheriffs park up and ring the bell.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10DOORBELL RINGS
0:39:10 > 0:39:12Big old place, isn't it?
0:39:12 > 0:39:15It's a huge unit, but the shutters are down
0:39:15 > 0:39:19and there's no sight or sound of heavy machinery.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21Can't hear any noise.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27Just when they're beginning to suspect this visit is a lost cause,
0:39:27 > 0:39:28the door opens.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34Hello, sir. Trying to get in contact with Mr Simon Graham Wintermore.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38My name's Mr Wilde, I'm a High Court enforcement agent.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42OK, so I need to leave the door open.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44Yes, I have to. No, sir.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48It's a commercial property. We can force entry if we need to.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53- Yes, we have.- We've got a court order to come in.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56Are you Mr Wintermore?
0:39:56 > 0:39:57I'll wait here.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00The door needs to stay open, we need to speak to him.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03Otherwise, we'll have to force entry and get the police.
0:40:03 > 0:40:04No way, sir.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06We'll stay here until he comes down.
0:40:06 > 0:40:07That's fine.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10The last thing the sheriffs want is to get locked out.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Although they could legally force entry if they needed to,
0:40:13 > 0:40:16it's a situation they'd rather avoid.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19We weren't going to let the door be shut on us.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22We'll be polite to these people as much as we can,
0:40:22 > 0:40:25but we are here with the authority of the courts to do our job.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27For now, they are happy to wait at the entrance
0:40:27 > 0:40:31where they've got a decent view of the assets.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33This lot, they are lathes, aren't they?
0:40:33 > 0:40:34They are pillar drills.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36That looks like a guillotine cutter.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39That's a scrubber, a floor polisher thing.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41Hmm.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44The machines might be a challenge to remove,
0:40:44 > 0:40:46but they definitely have value.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49Meanwhile, a man emerges from the office upstairs.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52What do you think? Is that the same guy?
0:40:52 > 0:40:53No, it's a different guy.
0:40:55 > 0:40:56- Hello, sir.- Hello, sir.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59- Mr Wintermore?- Can I help you? Hold on, that's a camera crew.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01It is indeed the company boss,
0:41:01 > 0:41:05but on spotting our camera he is less than pleased.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08We are asked to leave and it's left to Tommy and Craig inside
0:41:08 > 0:41:12to explain that it's time for Zebra to pay its debts.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15The answer isn't exactly what they expected.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19The boss says he's already paid and produces proof
0:41:19 > 0:41:20of a recent bank transfer.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24On closer inspection, it appears he's made a payment
0:41:24 > 0:41:26direct to the claimant's solicitor,
0:41:26 > 0:41:28but it's only for the amount owed
0:41:28 > 0:41:31before the case was transferred to the High Court.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33The director is not happy at all because he's saying
0:41:33 > 0:41:37the payment he made, he thought it was going to resolve the case.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39Obviously, court action has been taken
0:41:39 > 0:41:41and that's why we are here today,
0:41:41 > 0:41:43and he needs to deal with us, but he's not happy at all.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48Because he didn't pay to begin with,
0:41:48 > 0:41:51Mr Wintermore now owes another £868.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55He's not happy.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58Nevertheless, he reaches for his credit card,
0:41:58 > 0:42:00and the sheriffs are soon on their way,
0:42:00 > 0:42:03satisfied they have carried out the Court's wishes.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06Got a bit fruity on the door, one of the employees.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10We managed to put the foot in the door, secured the access.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13The director produced evidence that he paid direct
0:42:13 > 0:42:17to the claimant's legal representation, just under £5,000.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20So we've checked that out, that's come off the bill
0:42:20 > 0:42:22leaving a short balance outstanding
0:42:22 > 0:42:24which we have just collected in full.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29It didn't come to listing down the company's goods,
0:42:29 > 0:42:32but aside from the valuable machines they first saw,
0:42:32 > 0:42:35there was one asset inside that made quite an impression.
0:42:37 > 0:42:38Oh, yeah, the zebra head.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41There was a zebra head mounted in his office.
0:42:41 > 0:42:42- Huge.- Quite impressive.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46But for now, the boss's machines and taxidermy are safe.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49The sheriffs are leaving with payment in full
0:42:49 > 0:42:51and the claimant has got their money back.
0:42:53 > 0:42:57Mr Wintermore told us he did offer the claimant who bought the lathe
0:42:57 > 0:43:00an alternative machine and says he wasn't aware he owed any fees
0:43:00 > 0:43:03at the time he made the payment.