0:00:02 > 0:00:03- Meet the sheriffs. - My name's Mr Grix.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08We're here with a court order today.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10They work for the High Court, and if a judge says you're owed money,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13it's the sheriffs' job to go and get it.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16- Hey, all the keys. - I'm going to be calling a locksmith.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20- They can demand payment on the spot...- What can you pay us now?
0:00:20 > 0:00:23- You're going to get the cash, are you?- Are you paying the bill?
0:00:23 > 0:00:26- ..or remove assets instead.- You've got 30 minutes to make the payment.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28We will start removing stuff from the building.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31You'll have a week to pay in full before it gets sold at auction.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34Obstructing their work can be a criminal offence.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37- I wouldn't do that if I were you. - Don't lie to me.- No messing.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41Every year, sheriffs in England and Wales recover unpaid debts
0:00:41 > 0:00:44totalling more than £80 million.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Coming up, the Clark family paid
0:00:50 > 0:00:54thousands of pounds to have an extension built on their home,
0:00:54 > 0:00:56but the work was never completed.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00We'd got dust everywhere, we'd got water coming through when it rained.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02I felt like he was taking me for a bit of a fool,
0:01:02 > 0:01:04and I didn't like that.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07Now Tracy and Adam have tracked down the builder responsible,
0:01:07 > 0:01:08and are out to make him pay.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12He's going to be given 20 minutes to open that door and make a noise like
0:01:12 > 0:01:17£3,917, otherwise I'll be removing this and it'll cost him more.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Rob puts his foot in the door to prevent a bar owner from locking him
0:01:21 > 0:01:23- out.- I'm a High Court enforcement agent
0:01:23 > 0:01:25Don't shut the door, all right?
0:01:25 > 0:01:27My foot is staying in the door, it's not going anywhere.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31- Walk off my property now! - And what are you going to do?
0:01:31 > 0:01:33And when tempers run high over a clamped 4x4,
0:01:33 > 0:01:35the sheriffs call for backup.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38If you get any closer, sir, I'm going to use reasonable force...
0:01:38 > 0:01:40- Are you? Go on, then!- ..to remove you from me.- Go on, then, do it!
0:01:40 > 0:01:43We've got an aggressive male in one of our agent's faces.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46- I need police assistance urgently. - Go on!
0:01:53 > 0:01:57It's a bitterly cold early start for High Court enforcement agents
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- Adam Crossley and Tracy Lee. - Very icy this morning.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02It was treacherous, coming down.
0:02:02 > 0:02:07It's 7am, and Tracy and Adam are in Yorkshire, pursuing an unpaid debt.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09It's a residential address we've got for an individual,
0:02:09 > 0:02:11I do believe a builder.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Hopefully, there's going to be
0:02:14 > 0:02:19vehicles there, possibly vans etc, that can be used as leverage.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22The builder in question is Mr Shaw.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24He let down a young family when he abandoned the job,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27despite being paid thousands of pounds.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30Now the sheriffs are going to pay him a visit.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35And this is the family he let down.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39Richard and Laura Clark had wanted more room for their growing family,
0:02:39 > 0:02:44and rather than move, they decided to add a dining room extension.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47We got quite excited, we got some plans drawn together,
0:02:47 > 0:02:51and, you know, we decided to have a dining room built.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Among those invited to quote for the job was Mr Shaw.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Mr Shaw, a very nice chap, came
0:02:56 > 0:02:58round, knew what he was talking about,
0:02:58 > 0:03:02said that he could start within a timeframe that we were happy with.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04We'd got several quotes in,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07and his was roughly roundabout the same price,
0:03:07 > 0:03:11so we decided to go with him. He was enthusiastic to take the job on.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17The price was just over £15,000, for the building, plasterwork,
0:03:17 > 0:03:21and electrics. It was a big decision for the Clark family.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23This is an area that we want to stay in,
0:03:23 > 0:03:24we want our children to grow up here,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27so getting the house right at this stage, for us, was really important
0:03:27 > 0:03:30and we were really excited about this extension.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32It was something that we'd thought about for a while,
0:03:32 > 0:03:34and now the first brick was being laid.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Richard paid half the money upfront, and two weeks later,
0:03:39 > 0:03:41work got underway.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45On the first day, I wanted to take a day off work so I could actually
0:03:45 > 0:03:46watch the first bit be done.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Initially, everything seemed to be going to plan.
0:03:49 > 0:03:50It started off reasonably well.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53The porch was gone within half a day
0:03:53 > 0:03:57and the lads that Mr Shaw had got to do the labouring work
0:03:57 > 0:04:00worked really hard. And we thought, you know,
0:04:00 > 0:04:04"We've got a good team here that's all pulling in the same direction."
0:04:04 > 0:04:07But when building inspectors visited the site,
0:04:07 > 0:04:09they weren't happy with the foundations,
0:04:09 > 0:04:11and plans had to be changed.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14I expected Mr Shaw to deal with this.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17When we originally sorted the contract out,
0:04:17 > 0:04:21Mr Shaw put dealing with building inspector,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24and all the background work that needed to be done with that.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27So I assumed that this was going to be done through Mr Shaw,
0:04:27 > 0:04:31but it seemed to lay more on my shoulders.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34The extra work meant the project was running over time
0:04:34 > 0:04:36and thousands of pounds over budget.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39It was also taking its toll on the Clark family
0:04:39 > 0:04:41and Richard in particular.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44I was having to leave work early to make sure that certain things had
0:04:44 > 0:04:47been done. I was spending a lot of time on the phone,
0:04:47 > 0:04:50trying to organise materials to come at a certain day,
0:04:50 > 0:04:54at a certain time, to coincide with when the builders were here.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58What was supposed to be a six-eight week project was badly delayed,
0:04:58 > 0:05:00but eventually the work on the
0:05:00 > 0:05:03foundations was finished and signed off.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Finally, after about a month, we started laying the first bricks,
0:05:07 > 0:05:10so a lot of the problems, we thought, had ended,
0:05:10 > 0:05:12and the bricks started to get laid,
0:05:12 > 0:05:15and we started having an extension that was slowly being built.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20But the project was beset by more problems,
0:05:20 > 0:05:23and the delays were very frustrating.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Mr Shaw was starting to say that he was putting other jobs off to finish
0:05:27 > 0:05:31this, so there was almost a little bit of pressure to, you know,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34"Let's just keep going...
0:05:34 > 0:05:36"do what we have to do, but, you know, anything that's going to be
0:05:36 > 0:05:40"complicated, that's going to take a little bit more time..."
0:05:40 > 0:05:42There wasn't really an appetite for that.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Eventually, with the basic structure in place,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48it was time to secure it against the elements.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Mr Shaw had got some guys in to come and do the roof
0:05:51 > 0:05:54and they did a great job.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56They were up there for probably two full days,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- and gave us a really nice roof. - But that was too good to last.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02There was a fallout between Mr Shaw
0:06:02 > 0:06:07and the guys who were doing the roof, so they never came back.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11So that resulted in, probably, 90% of the roof being completed.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15However, the bits that weren't completed, when it rained,
0:06:15 > 0:06:17we started noticing water coming in.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21By this time, the Clarks were due to go on a family holiday to France.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23The timing couldn't have been worse.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26There was still some outstanding work to be done,
0:06:26 > 0:06:28the roof still needed to be fixed.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31There was some construction work that still needed to be done.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Mr Shaw told them he'd finish the job while they were away,
0:06:34 > 0:06:35so they put their faith in him,
0:06:35 > 0:06:38paid him the balance and left him to it.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40He put our mind to ease. He said, "Go off on your holiday.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43"While you're away, I'll get the work done,
0:06:43 > 0:06:45"I'll make sure that the roofers come back and finish the roofing."
0:06:45 > 0:06:48You know, and he gave us his word that that would be done.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52They returned with high hopes, but those hopes were quickly dashed.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55We knew when we saw the skip that, you know,
0:06:55 > 0:06:58we'd just pulled outside in the car...we saw the skip and
0:06:58 > 0:07:01we just knew that they'd not been round to finish it off.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05And that feeling that you get when you've just come back off holiday,
0:07:05 > 0:07:07and you're really excited to see the
0:07:07 > 0:07:12work and the finished article, and...yeah.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14We walked round the back, and...
0:07:14 > 0:07:17it was how it was left.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20For Richard, it was the final straw.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23At that point, I was very angry.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27It was the middle of the morning, we'd had a long trip back,
0:07:27 > 0:07:32and I tried to phone Mr Shaw and there was no answer.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35So I sent him a text message and he failed to respond.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Mr Shaw did eventually call back, saying he'd broken his arm,
0:07:39 > 0:07:43but as far as Richard was concerned, it was one excuse too many.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48He told me that he'd provide us with an extension that we'd be proud of,
0:07:48 > 0:07:50and he failed to deliver.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52The roof was still unfinished,
0:07:52 > 0:07:54as was some of the rendering and plasterwork.
0:07:54 > 0:07:59We'd got dust everywhere, we'd got water coming through when it rained.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03At this point, Emma was, you know, she was five months old.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07We work full-time, we had an unsecured property,
0:08:07 > 0:08:11and it was not what we wanted when we came back off holiday.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Mr Shaw never completed the work,
0:08:14 > 0:08:18so Richard had to find more money to pay someone else to finish the job.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20This work needed to be done.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23Every time it rained, I was at work, looking out of the window, thinking,
0:08:23 > 0:08:25"Please, don't rain." We had nothing left.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29So we relied on my wife's parents to lend us the money,
0:08:29 > 0:08:32so we could get the remedial work done.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34Richard then decided to take Mr Shaw to court,
0:08:34 > 0:08:39to try and get back the extra money he'd paid out to complete the work.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41I felt like he was almost taking me for a bit of a fool,
0:08:41 > 0:08:43and I didn't like that, you know?
0:08:43 > 0:08:44When you're doing building work on
0:08:44 > 0:08:47somebody's house, it's...it's a major thing, you know?
0:08:47 > 0:08:49You've got a lot of responsibility with that.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Mr Shaw failed to turn up at court,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54and a County Court judgment was issued against him,
0:08:54 > 0:08:58but he still didn't pay Richard the money for the remedial work,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00so Richard escalated the case to the High Court
0:09:00 > 0:09:02and called in the sheriffs.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03Hopefully the sheriffs
0:09:03 > 0:09:06will get a good conclusion from our perspective,
0:09:06 > 0:09:10but also teach him that he can't just treat people like this.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14The amount owed today is £3,917.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23Tracy and Adam are in Yorkshire, on their way to see Mr Shaw.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28But it seems there may be a problem ahead.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30The sheriffs have been notified that
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Mr Shaw has moved out of his family home.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35We're getting there early to see if we can catch him in,
0:09:35 > 0:09:39cos the claimant believes he does live at the house.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41If he does live there, the sheriffs
0:09:41 > 0:09:44are hoping that any vehicles parked outside will give them
0:09:44 > 0:09:46sufficient leverage to clear the debt.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51If there's a van there, and we're looking to seize the van...
0:09:51 > 0:09:54he's not going to want that to happen, is he?
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- All right, we're somewhere here? - Yeah, to the left.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00Yeah, there's a van outside, but...
0:10:00 > 0:10:03it's, er, it's very old.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06There's also a second car parked on the driveway.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08But before clamping them,
0:10:08 > 0:10:12Tracy wants to see if she can get a response from inside the property.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- You all right? - Yeah, just watch your footing.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21SHE KNOCKS ON DOOR
0:10:21 > 0:10:23At first, there's no answer...
0:10:23 > 0:10:25SHE KNOCKS ON DOOR
0:10:25 > 0:10:28..then someone comes to the door.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32He won't open it, and he asks Tracy if she can come back later.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35No. Is it Mr Shaw? Pardon?
0:10:35 > 0:10:38I'm looking for a Mr Shaw.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Sorry?
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Can you open the door?
0:10:43 > 0:10:45The man seems reluctant to open up,
0:10:45 > 0:10:48but Tracy isn't going to give up that easily.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Well, I've got this address for a Mr Shaw.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53It's Miss Lee speaking, from the Sheriffs Office, enforcement.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57The man behind the door tells Tracy Mr Shaw doesn't live here.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59He doesn't live here?
0:10:59 > 0:11:01So the vehicles outside don't belong to him?
0:11:01 > 0:11:05According to the man inside, they don't belong to Mr Shaw,
0:11:05 > 0:11:08but because the sheriffs believe the vehicles are Mr Shaw's,
0:11:08 > 0:11:10they have the power to remove them.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13If they're wrong, the onus will then be on the owner to prove the
0:11:13 > 0:11:15vehicles are theirs.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19The van's been left unlocked, so Adam checks inside.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23There's plenty of paperwork, but nothing to indicate who owns it.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Meanwhile, Tracy's getting nowhere
0:11:25 > 0:11:27with the man who's apparently not Mr Shaw.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30He's shot up back upstairs, he's not having it.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32I think it's him, do you?
0:11:32 > 0:11:37- Yeah.- Yeah, he wasn't prepared to open the door to speak to me.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40He said his name's Mr Lowe.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Well, it's coincidental, isn't it?
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- Should we just clamp that up?- Yeah.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Let me go and see if I can speak to the neighbours.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50While Tracy goes to talk to other residents in the street,
0:11:50 > 0:11:54Adam decides to clamp the builder's van.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56There's no documentation, so I'm just going to clamp it,
0:11:56 > 0:12:00to see if we can get this gentleman to...
0:12:00 > 0:12:01show his identity to us.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Adam goes ahead and clamps the van...
0:12:09 > 0:12:12..and then the second vehicle that's parked on the driveway.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17He's hoping that, by clamping both vehicles,
0:12:17 > 0:12:21he will persuade the man inside the property to open up and provide some
0:12:21 > 0:12:24evidence that he is or isn't Mr Shaw.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Neighbours have told Tracy Mr Shaw does live at the address,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32and as far as they're aware, he hasn't moved out.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39I've just spoken to the neighbour -
0:12:39 > 0:12:41they've confirmed he lives here and that's his van.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45The two rules are, don't lie to me and don't ignore me.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47He's broken one, he's ignoring me,
0:12:47 > 0:12:49so he's getting off on the wrong foot.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51So the car's been clamped.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55He's going to be given 20 minutes to open that door
0:12:55 > 0:12:57and make a noise like...
0:12:57 > 0:13:02£3,917, otherwise I'll be removing this and it'll cost him more.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05With both vehicles clamped,
0:13:05 > 0:13:09the man finally opens the front door and admits he is Mr Shaw.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14He says he denied it earlier because he was startled by the early wake-up
0:13:14 > 0:13:19- call.- Right, this is in relation to an outstanding debt on Mr Clark.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22We're here today to get this paid in full.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25£3,917.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28He says he's been off work and has no money.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Right, Mr Shaw, I'm not accepting that. Do you want to just go inside?
0:13:31 > 0:13:34I'll give you 20 minutes to see what you can get together, and come out,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37before we take this any further. I'm giving you some time to...
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Whose are these vehicles?
0:13:39 > 0:13:42He says the van's his, but the car on the driveway belongs to his wife,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45and in any case, it has a loan secured against it.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48He's claiming that there's a loan on the vehicle that's on the drive,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51so he's gone to go and get that documentation to prove that.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54He still maintains there's absolutely no money available today,
0:13:54 > 0:13:56and I'm looking to put forward an
0:13:56 > 0:14:00offer of repayment via monthly instalments.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03The sheriffs know the van won't fetch much at auction
0:14:03 > 0:14:05and isn't worth removing.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07With no other assets in sight,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10a payment plan is looking like the best option for the sheriffs.
0:14:10 > 0:14:15They decide to wait and see what sort of offer Mr Shaw comes up with.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19- Let him sweat a bit.- It's still freezing outside, but thankfully
0:14:19 > 0:14:20Adam's dressed for the occasion.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25Thermal underwear, thick-soled boots
0:14:25 > 0:14:28and occasionally...
0:14:28 > 0:14:31maybe two or three T-shirts under this shirt.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Then a jumper, then a fleece, and then a coat.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40Tracy finds Adam's hat inside the van, and can't resist trying it on.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- What do you think?- Nice, isn't it?
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- Suits you.- Does it suit me? - SHE LAUGHS
0:14:48 > 0:14:52Mr Shaw reappears, with proof of the logbook loan against his
0:14:52 > 0:14:55wife's car. He offers to pay the
0:14:55 > 0:14:58money he owes at a rate of £200 a month.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Right, the only way we're going to accept that is if we enter the
0:15:01 > 0:15:03property to do a controlled goods agreement.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05That's to list your items to secure the debt.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Mr Shaw reluctantly agrees.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Tracy goes inside to list assets
0:15:09 > 0:15:11and draw up a controlled goods agreement.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15The items listed will technically become the property of
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- the court until the debt's cleared. - Thanks, bye-bye.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- Bye-bye.- Tracy remerges with a payment plan in place,
0:15:22 > 0:15:26but this has been a challenging enforcement for the sheriffs.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Yes, a difficult one, this.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32I've done a controlled goods agreement, the van's gone on it,
0:15:32 > 0:15:34bits and pieces from within,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37and then the arrangement's been put forward for monthly payments.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Unfortunately, that's...that's the best that we can do today.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Richard Clark is relieved to finally be getting the money back
0:15:46 > 0:15:49that he paid out to complete the building work.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51I've heard from the sheriffs and it's good news.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54£200 a month, apparently, with a controlled goods agreement.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58I just hope he sticks to the agreement that he's made with the
0:15:58 > 0:16:00sheriffs, and...you know, we can
0:16:00 > 0:16:04move forward, and hopefully he'll learn a lesson.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08Richard has since got another builder in to finish the extension,
0:16:08 > 0:16:10and as far as he's concerned, it's all ended well.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13I'm relieved to be stood in here now, not having damp coming through
0:16:13 > 0:16:15the walls, not having leaks.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18It's a nice extension, and it's what we wanted.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27Using the County Courts to try
0:16:27 > 0:16:30and recover money you're owed isn't difficult.
0:16:30 > 0:16:331.5 million money claims are paid every year in
0:16:33 > 0:16:35England and Wales,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38involving anything from faulty goods or poor workmanship,
0:16:38 > 0:16:40to unpaid invoices.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44Claims can be filed online, or by post for a small fee.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48Both parties in the case will be asked to submit evidence,
0:16:48 > 0:16:50and you may have to attend a court hearing.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54If you're successful, the County Court judgment, or CCJ,
0:16:54 > 0:16:56will be issued against the debtor.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00If they still don't pay, that's when you call the sheriffs.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09Today, High Court enforcement agents Mike Perkins and John Farley are
0:17:09 > 0:17:11heading to Nuneaton in Warwickshire.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14They're looking for a Mr Leonard Lippitt,
0:17:14 > 0:17:18who has unpaid legal fees dating back more than a year.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Today won't be the first time Mr Lippitt's had a
0:17:20 > 0:17:22visit from the sheriffs.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Tommy's already been on this case previously,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27and he met with the defendant who
0:17:27 > 0:17:29wasn't being very helpful at the time.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31In fact, following that, Mr Lippitt
0:17:31 > 0:17:34failed to pay back any of the money he owed.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38Now, Mike and John are determined to finally sort it out.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Mike has a bad throat and is losing his voice,
0:17:41 > 0:17:43but he's not going to let that stop him.
0:17:43 > 0:17:44We all know what I'm like.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47I don't like to mess about, I'm going to get the job done.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50There is a vehicle that we're going to be looking for.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Tommy's done the relevant checks and whatnot.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55The vehicle is free from finance,
0:17:55 > 0:17:57so the sheriffs have got a simple plan.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59They'll clamp Mr Lippitt's car
0:17:59 > 0:18:02and use that as leverage to get the debt cleared.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06The vehicle we're going to go and seize is a 4x4,
0:18:06 > 0:18:08good condition, by all accounts,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11and we'll immobilise it as soon as we get there,
0:18:11 > 0:18:13and hopefully that'll prompt payment.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15At least that's the theory.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17The sheriffs know from experience
0:18:17 > 0:18:19that enforcements don't always go to plan.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22By the sounds of it, I think the guy...
0:18:22 > 0:18:24may try and put up a bit of a fight.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Either way, if it's free from finance and he's not going to pay,
0:18:27 > 0:18:29we'll just uplift it straightaway.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32If the vehicle's not there, then we're going to struggle.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36Fingers crossed it's going to be on the drive,
0:18:36 > 0:18:39and we can execute the High Court writ.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43The amount owed today is £6,794.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46It's just down here, John.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51- Hopefully it'll be on the drive, so...- It's silver, isn't it?- Yes.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54The sheriffs edge their van slowly forward.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57They want to see if there's a vehicle in Mr Lippitt's driveway
0:18:57 > 0:19:01- without raising the alarm. - Go on, be here, please.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05And it's here. Look at that.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07That is what we wanted to see.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Mike's keen to get the vehicle clamped before anyone realises
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- they're there.- Let's crack on. Where's your padlocks, mate?
0:19:15 > 0:19:17In the back.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Once the vehicle is immobilised,
0:19:19 > 0:19:23the sheriffs will have the leverage they need to get the debt cleared.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26In a sense, we're holding all the aces...at the moment.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32I've got my Aladdin's rug today, so that'll keep me...keep me dry.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40With Mike busy securing the clamp, Mr Lippitt appears at the door.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42- John Farley, from High Court enforcement.- Yeah?
0:19:42 > 0:19:44Looking for a Leonard Lippitt?
0:19:44 > 0:19:47You're clamping somebody else's vehicle there, pal.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Mr Lippitt tells the sheriffs that the car parked on his driveway
0:19:50 > 0:19:53doesn't belong to him, and he's off to find proof.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58- We'd need to see proof of sale as well, John.- Yeah.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00So, would you like to remove that now, please?
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- Let's have a look.- All right.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- What's this?- "You are no longer the registered keeper of the vehicle."
0:20:05 > 0:20:06That's not proof of ownership.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10There's the receipt...from the guy that bought it.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- Let's have a look.- But the sheriffs don't think the receipt looks very
0:20:14 > 0:20:17convincing. They want to see proof that the vehicle really has been
0:20:17 > 0:20:20sold, and that the money has gone into his account.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- All right, all you need to do... - You need to remove that vehicle...
0:20:23 > 0:20:27- No. Sir...- ..or you're going to lose a clamp, pal, all right?
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- Am I?- Yes, you are.- Mike doesn't take kindly to the threat to damage
0:20:30 > 0:20:32or remove his clamp,
0:20:32 > 0:20:36and says he intends to go ahead and get the vehicle removed.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38John, do us a favour, bring a recovery truck.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- Sir...- You need to check your details out!
0:20:41 > 0:20:42You need to calm yourself down.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- I don't need to calm myself down at all!- Yes, you do.- OK, and what...
0:20:46 > 0:20:50Mr Lippitt tells Mike the owner of the vehicle is on his way round.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- I need to see transfer of funds. - You don't need to see nothing!
0:20:53 > 0:20:58- Yes, I do.- Pal, you are nothing! You're just civil, pal, so you take
0:20:58 > 0:21:01that away from that vehicle,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04and this guy will tell you the owner of it, and you'll remove it!
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Mr Lippitt suddenly decides he doesn't want filming on his
0:21:07 > 0:21:11- driveway.- Goodbye. Move your camera.- If I don't see...
0:21:11 > 0:21:13If I don't see the relevant documentation...
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Move the camera off my property, now! Get off that property, now!
0:21:16 > 0:21:20We retreat to the public highway, but carry on filming.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22The sheriffs are enforcing a High Court writ,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- and are entitled to stay put. - Now, off my property!
0:21:25 > 0:21:28- No.- Now! Now!- No.- I'm telling you, walk off my property...
0:21:28 > 0:21:30- Do me a favour, stay put... - Walk off my property!
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- Walk off my property now! - And what are you going to do?
0:21:33 > 0:21:37I'm telling you to get off, pal! I'm telling you to get off, pal!
0:21:37 > 0:21:38Tempers are running high,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41and Mike's worried things are about to boil over.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44- Ring the police.- Move off my property now!
0:21:44 > 0:21:47- Ring the police.- Get the- BLEEP - police! Move off my property now!
0:21:47 > 0:21:49- Police, please. - If you get any closer, sir,
0:21:49 > 0:21:50I'm going to use reasonable force...
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- Are you? Go on, then.- ..to remove you from me.- Go on, then! Do it!
0:21:53 > 0:21:57We've got an aggressive male in one of our agent's faces. I need
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- police assistance urgently. - Go on! Go on! Do it!
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Later, with the police on their way, the vehicle immobilised and the
0:22:05 > 0:22:08sheriffs standing their ground, a man turns up
0:22:08 > 0:22:12claiming he owns the vehicle parked in Mr Lippitt's driveway.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- You can't take the truck though, can you?- We can.- There's nothing to say
0:22:15 > 0:22:17that truck belongs to him. That truck belongs to me.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20We can remove the truck if we've got reason to believe it's his.
0:22:20 > 0:22:21It's my truck!
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Today, High Court enforcement agents,
0:22:36 > 0:22:38Rob Foster and Gerald Anderson,
0:22:38 > 0:22:41are in central London, taking in the sights.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43There's Big Ben there on the right.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45Or Quiet Ben, as he's now known.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47It's an icon. It's known throughout the world.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50The sheriffs are looking for a company called
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Matrix Office Furniture Limited.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55A former employee claimed Matrix dismissed her without notice or
0:22:55 > 0:23:00holiday pay. She took a case to an employment tribunal, and an award
0:23:00 > 0:23:02was made in her favour.
0:23:02 > 0:23:07The total amount owed today is £4,546.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11We have had a telephone call from the director, who has stated
0:23:11 > 0:23:13he can't pay this debt off in full.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15He'd like a long-term arrangement.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19But the sheriffs aren't interested in a long-term arrangement.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21They want a much shorter term arrangement -
0:23:21 > 0:23:23immediate payment in full.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Gerald has been doing his homework, and has found out some interesting
0:23:26 > 0:23:29facts about Matrix Office Furniture.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31I've done a little bit of background on the company.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35I can see that the company has changed names on several occasions,
0:23:35 > 0:23:37back and forth, to different company names.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Matrix Office Furniture is the name on the High Court writ, and is
0:23:41 > 0:23:43liable for the debt.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47But the director, in his call to the Sheriffs Office, claimed it no
0:23:47 > 0:23:50longer exists, and a new company has taken its place.
0:23:50 > 0:23:55If that's the case, the sheriffs may not be able to remove assets.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58At least the sign above the door looks hopeful.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Hello. Is this Matrix?
0:24:01 > 0:24:05Gerald asks for the director, a Mr Simon Lo Gatto.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- Hello, Simon.- Hi. - My name's Mr Anderson.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12Mr Lo Gatto doesn't look particularly pleased to see the
0:24:12 > 0:24:15sheriffs, and even less pleased to see our camera.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21We leave the shop and continue to film from the street.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23How are we going to sort this, then?
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Mr Lo Gatto tells the sheriffs he can't clear the debt, and the assets
0:24:26 > 0:24:28in the shop belong to a different company -
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Trinity Office Furniture Limited.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Luckily, Rob and Gerald have already checked his story out.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36- It doesn't exist.- We've been on Companies House.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38There's no sign of that company at all.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Mr Lo Gatto has an explanation.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44Apparently, Trinity has also changed its name and is now called
0:24:44 > 0:24:48Matrix Office Interiors Limited. All very confusing.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51Essentially, all we're interested in is payment in full or removal of
0:24:51 > 0:24:54- goods.- Mr Lo Gatto says they can't remove the goods because they don't
0:24:54 > 0:24:57belong to Matrix Office Furniture.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Apparently, ownership has been transferred to the new company.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03Give your accountant a ring. See if you can get the paperwork through on
0:25:03 > 0:25:05proof of transfer. For a limited company, it'll be your accountant,
0:25:05 > 0:25:09- won't it?- But Mr Lo Gatto doesn't produce the necessary paperwork,
0:25:09 > 0:25:11and Rob's starting to lose patience.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14At the moment, your balance is £4,546.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18I'll give you one last chance to pay it now, or we'll go to the next
0:25:18 > 0:25:21stage and start listing goods. It'll go to 5,140.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24You'll then have a further couple of minutes once we've finished that
0:25:24 > 0:25:26paperwork. If you don't, it'll go up to over £6,000.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30Rob and Gerald believe Matrix Office Furniture is trading here.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34They're entitled to carry out a diligent search of the premises in
0:25:34 > 0:25:37order to find assets or establish who owns them.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41Rob decides to start with Mr Lo Gatto's office.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44Now, I'm going to go through paperwork and I'm going to see what
0:25:44 > 0:25:47information you've got here relating to this company.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50But Mr Lo Gatto doesn't seem happy with the development.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52As per a High Court writ, I'm entitled to search the office,
0:25:52 > 0:25:56- all right?- Mr Lo Gatto wants Rob to leave his office.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Rob tells him that obstructing a sheriff in the course of his duty is
0:25:59 > 0:26:01a criminal offence.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04What has happened is Rob's gone into the office and started rooting
0:26:04 > 0:26:06around through the paperwork.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09The director of the defending company has got certainly annoyed
0:26:09 > 0:26:12with this. He's got into Rob's personal space.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Rob has told him that if he does not pay, he will escalate this.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Back in the showroom,
0:26:17 > 0:26:22Rob and Gerald notice some boxes stacked up right by the open door.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24They walk over to investigate.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28- "Matrix Office Furniture."- Yeah. - "Matrix Office Furniture Limited."
0:26:28 > 0:26:32- Yeah. "Client, Matrix Office Furniture."- It's vital evidence.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36- Invoices here. "Delivery address, Matrix Office Furniture."- Yeah.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40These packages have only recently been delivered, and they're
0:26:40 > 0:26:43addressed to Matrix Office Furniture Limited -
0:26:43 > 0:26:45the company on the writ.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49So we've got one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight,
0:26:49 > 0:26:52about ten boxes here, all addressed to...
0:26:54 > 0:26:56Matrix Office Furniture Limited.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00That tells us that the company is still trading.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02Mr Lo Gatto says he's trying to
0:27:02 > 0:27:06raise funds to clear the debt, but needs more time. He also claims
0:27:06 > 0:27:11these goods have already been bought and paid for by clients, so can't be
0:27:11 > 0:27:13removed by the sheriffs.
0:27:13 > 0:27:14Rob doesn't agree.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17It's got your company name on it, delivered to this address.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19You said these have been sold to whoever they sell...
0:27:19 > 0:27:23- Show us the invoice.- The sheriffs have now escalated the enforcement
0:27:23 > 0:27:27to stage two, and are starting to list assets for removal.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30One, two, three, four, five, six,
0:27:30 > 0:27:32seven, eight, nine, ten.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34What do you call them? Counters, desks?
0:27:34 > 0:27:37- Office tables.- Yeah.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Gerald comes outside to give us another update.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Rob has escalated it to enforcement stage two.
0:27:42 > 0:27:47He's still denying things belong to him, but he is in the process now of
0:27:47 > 0:27:49speaking to accountants, friends,
0:27:49 > 0:27:51family etc, to raise funds so he
0:27:51 > 0:27:54can make payment in full of this debt.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Finally, Mr Lo Gatto announces he
0:27:57 > 0:28:01can clear the debt - a total of £5,140.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05That includes the extra costs incurred during today's enforcement.
0:28:05 > 0:28:10Hello. I just want to find out if a payment has entered our account.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Lovely, perfect. Yeah, brilliant. Thank you very much.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16- OK, sir.- Cheers, bye-bye. - Bye-bye. Thank you.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19Payment confirmed, the sheriffs leave.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22All in all, a great result. Absolutely chuffed. We've sent him a
0:28:22 > 0:28:25payment link and he's paid it in full.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29Reluctantly, but he has settled the balance in full.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32The former Matrix Office Furniture employee,
0:28:32 > 0:28:35who was dismissed without notice will now get the money she's owed.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48If you've won a County Court judgment and haven't been paid,
0:28:48 > 0:28:53for £66 you can get the case transferred up to the High Court,
0:28:53 > 0:28:56which will issue a writ for enforcement by the sheriffs.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00- Hello.- I'm an enforcement agent enforcing a High Court writ.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02I'm here just to execute the court order.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05They've got more powers than County Court bailiffs.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08We're going to force entry into the shop in about the next ten,
0:29:08 > 0:29:12- 15 minutes.- I have the right, under the writ, to investigate.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16If you obstruct myself or my colleague, it is a criminal offence.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19And there's no limit to the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23£14 million. It's the largest job I've ever done.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26You can pay it directly into our account from Spain.
0:29:26 > 0:29:27If they're successful,
0:29:27 > 0:29:30they will recover your money and costs from the debtor...
0:29:30 > 0:29:33- Thanks.- Thank you.- ..as well as their own fees that are
0:29:33 > 0:29:35set by the government.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38It was that amount there until 5:30.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41I don't stand here for three hours for nothing.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43If the sheriffs can't get your money,
0:29:43 > 0:29:47they'll ask you to pay a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:29:54 > 0:29:59Back in Nuneaton, the car in Leonard Lippitt's driveway has been clamped.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01He claims the car's not his...
0:30:01 > 0:30:03You're clamping somebody else's vehicle there, pal.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06- ..but the sheriffs aren't convinced. - Yeah, we need to see proof of whose
0:30:06 > 0:30:08- it is.- And with tempers boiling over...
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Walk off my property! Walk off my property now!
0:30:11 > 0:30:14- And what are you going to do?- ..the police are on their way.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16If you get any closer, sir, I'm going to use reasonable force...
0:30:16 > 0:30:19- Are you? Go on, then!- ..to remove you from me.- Go on, then! Do it!
0:30:19 > 0:30:22We've got an aggressive male in one of our agent's faces.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24I need police assistance urgently.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27Go on! Go on, go on! Do it!
0:30:27 > 0:30:30Mike's determined to enforce the writ and is entitled to remain on
0:30:30 > 0:30:34- the driveway.- I'm asking you to move now!- I'm not going to move anywhere.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37- You are.- I'm not.- You are, pal, you are.- I'm not.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39Are the police en route now? Perfect, OK.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43With John on the phone to the police,
0:30:43 > 0:30:47the man who Mr Lippitt says owns the vehicle turns up.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49I've sold it to this guy. Now move!
0:30:49 > 0:30:51We need to see proof, mate, all right?
0:30:51 > 0:30:54We need to see the transfer of funds, please.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57He hands Mike the vehicle registration document,
0:30:57 > 0:31:00which names him as the registered keeper, but that doesn't necessarily
0:31:00 > 0:31:02mean he's the owner.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04- I'm sorry, a V5 doesn't prove ownership.- What do you mean?
0:31:04 > 0:31:08- The document's not...- You can't take the truck, though, can you?
0:31:08 > 0:31:09- We can.- Mike explains to the man
0:31:09 > 0:31:11that if the vehicle is removed today,
0:31:11 > 0:31:14he can make what's known as a third-party claim, and if he can
0:31:14 > 0:31:16prove ownership, he'll get it back.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20But Mike isn't convinced he is the owner.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22We can remove the truck if we've got reason to believe it's his.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- It's my truck!- And you'll have seven days to get all the relevant
0:31:25 > 0:31:30documentation into the office, OK, to prove that that vehicle is yours.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33As things stand, the sheriffs are planning to remove the vehicle.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37We've seen a typed-up invoice - invoice number one -
0:31:37 > 0:31:40just saying that vehicle's been sold.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42It's not good enough proof, and they're saying it's a cash sale.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Then let's see proof of those funds actually being transferred into
0:31:45 > 0:31:48someone's bank account, then. If not, they can put all that
0:31:48 > 0:31:51relevant proof to the courts and go down the full,
0:31:51 > 0:31:53official third-party claim route.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55If you're going to take his vehicle illegally,
0:31:55 > 0:31:57we're going to call the police to say that you've nicked it.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00- That's fine.- All right?- We've got a High Court writ.- Right.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02In fact, the police are already on their way.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07There's an uneasy truce on the driveway,
0:32:07 > 0:32:11but the call handler has asked John to stay on the line and keep them
0:32:11 > 0:32:14- updated.- In the house, there's the male, Leonard,
0:32:14 > 0:32:17and then there's also another male in the property.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20And then another three males have turned up in another vehicle.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23Minutes later, the police arrive.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Thank you for your attendance as quick as you could.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28- There's my identification. - Yeah.- How are you doing?
0:32:28 > 0:32:31OK, there's my High Court writ, stamped, sealed and whatnot.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34Mike gives the officers some background.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38They've shown us an invoice, 001, that's been written out.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41They haven't shown us a transfer of sale.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43The vehicle is going to be going.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45So, are you getting rid of that vehicle today, are you?
0:32:45 > 0:32:47Yeah, unless they pay the bill.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50The police go inside to talk to Mr Lippitt.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53I'm hoping the police have calmed him down so we can have a decent
0:32:53 > 0:32:58chat with the gentleman and give him the opportunity to pay the balance
0:32:58 > 0:33:01before it goes any further.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05The sheriffs have held off calling a removal vehicle, because that would
0:33:05 > 0:33:08incur costs and increase the size of the debt.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10With the police still in attendance,
0:33:10 > 0:33:13Mike tries talking to Mr Lippitt one more time.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15Mr Lippitt.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17OK, you've got two options, OK?
0:33:18 > 0:33:21You can either pay the balance at the moment...
0:33:21 > 0:33:24If we can't get that, OK, then the vehicle will be going and
0:33:24 > 0:33:28then you have seven days to put in the relevant third-party claim to
0:33:28 > 0:33:32prove ownership. OK, so, at the moment,
0:33:32 > 0:33:37the balance is £6,794.06.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39OK, can you pay that now?
0:33:39 > 0:33:42I can give you ten, 15 minutes to have a think about it.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45It quickly becomes clear Mr Lippitt is still refusing to pay the money he owes.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48- We'll remove the...- Right, I don't know why you're standing there, pal.
0:33:48 > 0:33:53- Go.- We'll remove the vehicle, then, because you're refusing to pay. OK, that's fine.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57I tried to negotiate with the gentleman.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59He's being...not very forthcoming.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03He's not...not helping the situation and whatnot, so, yeah,
0:34:03 > 0:34:06we're just going to remove the vehicle.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08But there's a problem -
0:34:08 > 0:34:11snow has fallen across much of the Midlands,
0:34:11 > 0:34:15causing chaos on the roads and all their usual recovery firms are busy.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19Hi there. Just wondering what your availability is for a recovery?
0:34:19 > 0:34:23John's on the line to a recovery firm when events take a sudden turn.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25John, John. Hold the line.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28Mr Lippitt calls Mike over.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31I need £6,794, and then we'll stop the recovery.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33He's on the phone to the recovery.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35I need to know in the next ten minutes.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37I need to know in ten minutes.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41It seems Mr Lippitt has decided he may be prepared to pay after all.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43John.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45Hold fire.
0:34:45 > 0:34:50He's offered to pay £5,500, but Mike wants payment in full.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53- It hits home when they know it's happening.- Yeah.
0:34:53 > 0:34:58Just then the sheriffs are called over a second time.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01This time Mr Lippitt says he's
0:35:01 > 0:35:05arranged to make payment in full, all £6,794.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08John gets the necessary paperwork from the van.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10Yeah, it looks like we're in business.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13Just trying to get the bank details together.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16Eventually, after two visits from the sheriffs and a stand-off
0:35:16 > 0:35:19on Mr Lippitt's driveway...
0:35:19 > 0:35:24- 'How much is he looking for?' - £6,794.06.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27- ..he finally clears the debt. - 'Yep, we've got that.'
0:35:27 > 0:35:30- Thank you very much. - The payment's confirmed,
0:35:30 > 0:35:33so out comes Mike's magic carpet.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35He's worried about getting dirty,
0:35:35 > 0:35:38and he thinks he's Aladdin, so this is his flying rug.
0:35:41 > 0:35:42And off comes the clamp.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46Ta-ta for now.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Thank you very much. See you later.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54I love being abused.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58Excellent. Flying the carpet.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09All in all, a good result, good job, happy claimant.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13The writ's there to be enforced and that's what got done.
0:36:13 > 0:36:14Move on to the next one.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35It's midday, and Rob and Gerald are in Streatham, South London,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38heading for the Hamlet bar and restaurant
0:36:38 > 0:36:39in pursuit of an unpaid debt.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43The claimant has given us some information.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46He's told us the address that we're attending
0:36:46 > 0:36:49is the trading address for the defendant.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53The claimant is a former employee who wasn't paid the
0:36:53 > 0:36:57wages he was due. He took his boss, Bukurie Ibro,
0:36:57 > 0:37:00to court, and a judgment was issued in his favour.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04Miss Ibro was ordered to pay the money at a rate of £300
0:37:04 > 0:37:07a month, but she didn't make the payments.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11So the case was escalated to the High Court, and now the sheriffs are
0:37:11 > 0:37:13on their way to track her down.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17The amount owed today is £3,121.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21Oh, there it is.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24It doesn't open until 2pm, so...
0:37:24 > 0:37:26The shutters are down and it looks like it's not due to open for a
0:37:26 > 0:37:29couple of hours.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32Right, there's no doorbell, no way in.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36Because it's a commercial premises, the sheriffs could force entry,
0:37:36 > 0:37:39but they have a contact number for Bukurie Ibro,
0:37:39 > 0:37:40so Rob gives her a call.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45Hi, it's Mr Foster from the Sheriffs Office, it is.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48He starts to explain the reason for his call, then, suddenly,
0:37:48 > 0:37:52- he loses the connection. - Hello, can you hear me?
0:37:52 > 0:37:55BLEEPING
0:37:55 > 0:37:57- Oooh.- Rob calls her back straightaway...
0:37:57 > 0:38:01INTERNAL RINGTONE
0:38:01 > 0:38:03..but this time there's no answer.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07He suspects she's put the phone down on him,
0:38:07 > 0:38:09so he leaves a message on her voicemail.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14Miss Ibro, as soon as I identified who I was, you hung up the phone.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17Just to advise, we are currently outside The Hamlet.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Ring me back to rectify this matter
0:38:19 > 0:38:22or we will just go ahead and get a locksmith and force entry to your
0:38:22 > 0:38:26restaurant and remove the goods inside, whether you are here or not.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29Please give me a call back immediately. Thank you.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34Gerald then tries to call from his phone, because she won't recognise
0:38:34 > 0:38:37his number, but he can't get an answer either.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43Despite this, they decide to give Miss Ibro time to turn up in person
0:38:43 > 0:38:47- and clear the debt.- If those shutters aren't open at 2pm,
0:38:47 > 0:38:49then I think that's the point at which we'll call a locksmith and
0:38:49 > 0:38:53just crack on, otherwise it could be a bit of a wasted journey.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55INTERNAL RINGTONE
0:38:55 > 0:38:58Gerald gives her one more chance to answer the phone.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01This time, to his surprise, she does.
0:39:01 > 0:39:02Hi, my name's Mr Anderson,
0:39:02 > 0:39:06I'm an enforcement agent around at The Hamlet.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08Are you on your way here now?
0:39:08 > 0:39:11If you're not going to come here and sort this out,
0:39:11 > 0:39:15I've got a writ of control that I will execute.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19I'm hoping to sort this out with you before you open,
0:39:19 > 0:39:23so if you could make your way here, we can get this resolved.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26She tells Gerald she's an employee at the bar, and he needs to talk to
0:39:26 > 0:39:30the owner of the company. But Gerald's done his homework and he
0:39:30 > 0:39:34- knows different.- You are the director of that company.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38I have a writ against you personally.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41Gerald wants the debtor to understand just how serious the
0:39:41 > 0:39:43situation is.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47I would suggest, if you are on a day off or not, I would come here,
0:39:47 > 0:39:50because if the place doesn't open, I will open it.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54I'm giving you the chance of coming here to sort this debt out.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58If you do not come here, I will open up this place.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01It's your choice. You've got a debt, you need to sort it.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05Eventually, Bukurie Ibro says she'll be there in 15 minutes.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07The sheriffs sit in their van,
0:40:07 > 0:40:10parked a few yards up the road, and wait.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Yeah, at the moment, I'm sat here people-watching.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17I'm actually trying to look and see if I can spot her before she arrives
0:40:17 > 0:40:22- at the property.- Right on cue, they see Bukurie Ibro opening up...
0:40:22 > 0:40:26- Is that the one we're after, is it? - Yeah.- ..and they leap into action.
0:40:26 > 0:40:27Hello.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32Rob gets to her just in time, and puts his foot in the door to prevent
0:40:32 > 0:40:35- her locking them out.- Hello.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37I'm a High Court enforcement agent.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40I'm a High Court enforcement agent, don't shut the door on me.
0:40:40 > 0:40:41I don't understand, no.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43My foot is staying in the door, it's not going anywhere.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45She's on the phone to her solicitor.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48Rob explains again the reason for their visit.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51There's my identification.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53We're here, we're here with a High Court writ.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56She says she'll talk to the sheriffs but doesn't want to let the camera
0:40:56 > 0:40:59- inside.- I can come in and speak to you, he can stay out here if you
0:40:59 > 0:41:01want, that's fine. Yeah. All right?
0:41:01 > 0:41:05Yeah, he'll stay out here. He'll film from out here, then, all right?
0:41:05 > 0:41:07Well, can you let me in, then, please?
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Can you let me in, then, please? Thank you.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13She lets Rob and Gerald in, and hands Rob the phone so he can speak
0:41:13 > 0:41:14to her solicitor.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20Rob explains to the solicitor that Bukurie Ibro had previously failed
0:41:20 > 0:41:23to keep to a payment plan to clear the debt.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26She had the arrangement through the court. She failed to maintain that
0:41:26 > 0:41:29arrangement, and that was an arrangement that she was aware of.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32He tells the solicitor the best option now is to clear
0:41:32 > 0:41:36- the debt in full.- As of today, the balance, if you pay it now
0:41:36 > 0:41:39and agree to pay now, it's £3,120.73.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42And that will be the end of it, gone, finished.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44But that's as long as she agrees to pay it now.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47If I've got to start walking around and listing assets, it goes up.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50Rob hands the phone back to Miss Ibro, and shortly afterwards,
0:41:50 > 0:41:52she agrees to clear the debt.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54Gerald emerges with an update.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57It's going to plan at the moment.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59No real readies in my hand yet,
0:41:59 > 0:42:02but she's trying to do half the
0:42:02 > 0:42:05payment on the automated payment line,
0:42:05 > 0:42:09and she's going to do the other half by card.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12I'm just going to get my PDQ machine
0:42:12 > 0:42:16and hopefully should be out of there within the next ten.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21Gerald's prediction turns out to be correct.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24Ten minutes later, the sheriffs have secured payment in full.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28- Thanks now, bye-bye. - Cheers, thank you. Take care, ta-ra.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32A successful outcome on this one.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35They weren't too happy with us at the beginning, as you saw with
0:42:35 > 0:42:38the foot in the door, however they did eventually let us in.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40We have now had settlement.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42They made a fast BACS payment into our account,
0:42:42 > 0:42:44settling the balance in full.
0:42:44 > 0:42:49That's a total payment of £3,121,
0:42:49 > 0:42:53which means the former employee will finally get his unpaid wages.