0:00:00 > 0:00:02Meet the sheriffs.
0:00:02 > 0:00:04My name's Mr Grix. My colleague and I are enforcement agents.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06We're here with a High Court order today.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10They work for the High Court, and if a judge says you're owed money,
0:00:10 > 0:00:12it's the sheriffs' job to go and get it.
0:00:12 > 0:00:17- Here are all the keys.- I'm going to be calling a locksmith.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19They can demand payment on the spot...
0:00:19 > 0:00:21- What can you pay us now? - Going to get the cash, are you?
0:00:21 > 0:00:24- Are you paying the bill? - ..or remove assets instead.
0:00:24 > 0:00:25You've got 30 minutes to make the payment,
0:00:25 > 0:00:27or we'll start removing stuff from the building.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30You'll have a week to pay in full before they get sold at auction.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34Obstructing their work can be a criminal offence.
0:00:34 > 0:00:35I wouldn't do that if I was you.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38- Don't lie to me.- No mess tins.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42Every year, sheriffs in England and Wales recover unpaid debts
0:00:42 > 0:00:44totalling more than £80 million.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53Coming up, Tommy and Mike have a £13,000 debt to recover
0:00:53 > 0:00:55at a residential address.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01- Hello?- The debtor can't pay, but there's a very special car
0:01:01 > 0:01:02on the driveway.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04That's a nice motor.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06I'm thinking this could be the one that's going to go.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Ron Garratt lost money and a collection of antiques
0:01:09 > 0:01:11when a shop suddenly closed down.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14I trusted Nick - he was very friendly,
0:01:14 > 0:01:16but eventually, he stopped talking to me.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Jess and Billy are on the hunt for his money.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21We're going to force entry into the shop
0:01:21 > 0:01:24within about the next ten or 15 minutes if she doesn't attend.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27And, after a jeweller sold a customer's Rolex,
0:01:27 > 0:01:31and didn't hand over the money, Rob and Gerald pay him a visit.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33- Time's up.- Where are the keys for all of these drawers?
0:01:33 > 0:01:36- I want to empty them.- Excuse me. - I'm taking everything.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38- Everything?- Everything!
0:01:42 > 0:01:47This afternoon, Tommy Coyle and Mike Perkins are in Hampshire.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50Today, we're off to a residential property.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55We're looking for a Miss Lisa Berglin and a Dr Richard Berglin.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58We're looking for around £14,000.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01The couple were taken to court by their ex-landlords
0:02:01 > 0:02:04following a dispute over rent for their previous home.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08The Berglins lost, but then applied for a set-aside,
0:02:08 > 0:02:10which would have meant that the case was re-heard.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13The court refused, and the original judgment still stood.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16The couple then applied for a variation order,
0:02:16 > 0:02:22which was granted, and repayments were set at £2,500 a month.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25But then the Berglins didn't pay as agreed.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Now their former landlords have got a High Court writ.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Today, Richard and Lisa Berglin owe...
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Enforcing personal debts at residential properties can be tricky
0:02:38 > 0:02:43for the sheriffs, as they can't force entry to search for goods.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Fortunately, their file contains some useful information
0:02:46 > 0:02:49about what assets to expect.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54We've been informed that there is a number of nice vehicles -
0:02:54 > 0:02:56get a nice big yellow clamp out,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59put it on the wheel, and prompt the payment.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01When Tommy and Mike arrive at the property,
0:03:01 > 0:03:04they find exactly what they were hoping for.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06There you go, we've got three vehicles there,
0:03:06 > 0:03:08two high-end value vehicles.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11It looks like there is a vehicle that has the Porsche badge on.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Yeah, this is paying all day long, this is.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17In fact, there are four vehicles on the drive.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Nice to see plenty of assets - always good.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Tommy and Mike make their way to the front door.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27They knock, but there's no answer.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31There's a few lights on in the house around that side,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34CCTV round the corner,
0:03:34 > 0:03:36but I can't see any movement in there.
0:03:36 > 0:03:41With no-one to talk to, Mike checks out the vehicles on the drive.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43The Porsche is unlocked.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47And in our diligent search, see if we can come upon any documentation
0:03:47 > 0:03:50to see obviously who owns it.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Sheriffs don't have right of entry at residential properties,
0:03:53 > 0:03:58but they are entitled to open unlocked doors, including car doors.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05- What was the defendant's name? - Richard?- Yeah, Dr Richard Berglin.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Yeah.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10The letter indicates the Porsche 4X4 could belong to the man
0:04:10 > 0:04:12they're looking for.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14But it's what's under the other cover
0:04:14 > 0:04:16that really interests Tommy and Mike.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18Oh, that's nice!
0:04:18 > 0:04:20That's a nice motor.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22I'm thinking this could be the one that's going to go.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26It looks like a Mercedes-AMG SL 65 Black series -
0:04:26 > 0:04:30A car that when new cost over £200,000.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32But it's a few years old now.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34What's the registration?
0:04:34 > 0:04:38- It's not on it, mate. - It's not on here, either.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Tommy is just about to call his office
0:04:40 > 0:04:42to let them know what he's found,
0:04:42 > 0:04:45when Mike spots movement from inside the property.
0:04:45 > 0:04:46There's someone in the house.
0:04:49 > 0:04:50KNOCKS ON WINDOW
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Hello!
0:04:53 > 0:04:56The man comes to the French windows to speak to them.
0:04:56 > 0:04:57Is it Dr Berglin?
0:04:58 > 0:05:00We need to speak to somebody,
0:05:00 > 0:05:04because we're going to be removing some vehicles off the drive.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06We're enforcement agents.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Dr Berglin asks us to leave his garden,
0:05:09 > 0:05:11and tells the sheriffs the 4X4
0:05:11 > 0:05:14has already been levied against by another company.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17He says the Mercedes sports car belongs to a company
0:05:17 > 0:05:22that he used to be part of, so neither car can be removed.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Tommy is not put off that easily.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27Well, what's the situation trying to get this paid, then?
0:05:27 > 0:05:31At the moment, I think we would be interested in that.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36So... If you don't want to try and get this paid,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38then we'll just have to carry on for now.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40We'll have a look at this Merc.
0:05:41 > 0:05:46With Tommy eyeing up his car, Dr Berglin comes outside,
0:05:46 > 0:05:48and asks if there's a possibility of setting up a payment plan
0:05:48 > 0:05:51to clear the debt.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53We can still look to try to come to some sort of arrangement.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57I mean, if we're left with no other avenue, then, you know...
0:05:57 > 0:05:59We're going to need a good down-payment
0:05:59 > 0:06:01due to the fact of how much this is worth.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04But there's no down-payment offer on the table.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06To have any chance of getting their client's money,
0:06:06 > 0:06:09the sheriffs might need to take one of the vehicles.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12The biggest issue's going to be physically moving it.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16The hydraulic fluid's gone out the front. It can't be moved.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20It would have to be basically lifted up and onto the back.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Moving the Mercedes is making Tommy nervous.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26It's not made any easier when Dr Berglin tells them
0:06:26 > 0:06:28he doesn't have the key for it at the house.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32It might be time to have another look at the Porsche.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34In good condition,
0:06:34 > 0:06:40either car should raise at auction the £13,380 needed.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42- Going to be a lot easier to move, isn't it?- Of course it is.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45Dr Berglin doesn't have paperwork to prove the Mercedes
0:06:45 > 0:06:48belongs to a company rather than himself,
0:06:48 > 0:06:50but he does hand Mike a document
0:06:50 > 0:06:53which seems to show the Porsche is already under control.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Is that the full agreement, is it? Can I have a look?
0:06:56 > 0:06:58If the car is on someone else's list,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Tommy and Mike can't take it.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Mike calls the company to make sure.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07We just want to find out if you guys have got any interest
0:07:07 > 0:07:09in this vehicle any more.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12They don't. The case is no longer in their hands.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16That means the car could be removed, but it's not that simple.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19- This has got no engine in it. - There is an engine. It's just...
0:07:19 > 0:07:21It's just in pieces.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26The value is dramatically decreased due to the engine being missing.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29We'll have to do it Fred Flintstone style with your feet out the bottom.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Run along.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33Although at first it looked like
0:07:33 > 0:07:36there were thousands of pounds' worth of vehicles on the drive,
0:07:36 > 0:07:38the sheriffs are struggling.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41I couldn't think of two worse cars to try and move.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46At that moment, Dr Berglin says he has an appointment elsewhere,
0:07:46 > 0:07:48and leaves.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49He's left us here with this,
0:07:49 > 0:07:53cos he knows it's just going to be a nightmare to get out.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55With an asset worth this much in front of him,
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Tommy isn't going give up easily.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00He gets on to the office.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04It's not running, but it looks like one hell of a car.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08But it's that low to the floor, the suspension's shot.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11It's literally hugging the floor.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14The car is sitting so deep in the gravel, Tommy's worried
0:08:14 > 0:08:18they'll cause thousands of pounds of damage by trying to move it.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22Dr Berglin told Tommy the Merc isn't just a run-of-the-mill
0:08:22 > 0:08:23factory spec supercar.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27It's apparently had a McLaren engine conversion.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29The office is impressed.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- ON PHONE:- It's super rare. Super rare.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- It's super rare?- It's going.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39It's not often the sheriffs think they'll recover nearly £14,000
0:08:39 > 0:08:43for their client in one visit to a residential property.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46And despite the difficulty in removing the car,
0:08:46 > 0:08:48Tommy's mind is made up.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50We're looking at taking this asset,
0:08:50 > 0:08:52which we believe has a lot of value in it.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54At the moment, we're getting some specialist contractors down here,
0:08:54 > 0:08:58going to uplift it, put it on the back, gone. Job done.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Job done, as Mr Coyle said.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03He calls his favourite removal man,
0:09:03 > 0:09:07and it looks like he'll get the car removed and the debt repaid.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Bye-bye. Bye, bye.
0:09:09 > 0:09:14Apparently, he's removed Ferraris really low profile in the past,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17so he's got a vehicle that should be able to do it. So it's looking good.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20The only issue we've got against us now is time running away,
0:09:20 > 0:09:24and it's getting dark, so I'd rather not be doing it in the dark.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28Tommy takes a photo and sends it over for his man to evaluate.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32But he doesn't get the answer he was hoping for.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35It's not liftable. You can't get anything even worse.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37The low level it is,
0:09:37 > 0:09:41the fact it's on gravel, the position it's in, and with no key.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45They're so close, but no-one wants to take responsibility
0:09:45 > 0:09:47for doing such a difficult job in the dark.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50I just don't want to come back tomorrow and this car's gone.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54Let's clamp it, then. You've got to be dead careful.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Even clamping such a car is risky,
0:09:56 > 0:10:00and Tommy watches as Mike gets down to business.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Hang on, the jacket's coming off. He means business.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- What did your last skivvy die of? - Cheers.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12You should see how low it is under here, man.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14- I know.- It's proper low.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18The wheels alone are probably worth more than some of the cars
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Mike's removed, so he's taking it very slowly.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Just as he's finished, Dr Berglin is back.
0:10:24 > 0:10:30What we're doing, just to explain - the vehicle, we have to clamp it.
0:10:30 > 0:10:35- Right.- We're going to be leaving it here tonight. They want it removed.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- Right.- So we're going to be back.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42Dr Berglin tucks his car in for what might be the last time.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46And that's as far as the sheriffs can go tonight.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48If Dr Berglin wants to save his car,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51he's got an extra day to come up with the money.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56Later, Tommy and Mike return in daylight,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59and this time with a recovery truck.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01ENGINE REVS
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Using the county courts to try and recover money you're owed
0:11:15 > 0:11:17isn't difficult.
0:11:17 > 0:11:221.5 million money claims are paid every year in England and Wales
0:11:22 > 0:11:24involving anything from faulty goods or poor workmanship
0:11:24 > 0:11:27to unpaid invoices.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31Claims can be filed online or by post for a small fee.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Both parties in the case will be asked to submit evidence,
0:11:34 > 0:11:37and you may have to attend a court hearing.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41If you're successful, a county court judgment or CCJ will be issued
0:11:41 > 0:11:44against the debtor. If they still don't pay,
0:11:44 > 0:11:46that's when you call the sheriffs.
0:11:48 > 0:11:54Enforcement agents Jess Paton and Billy Evans are in Northamptonshire
0:11:54 > 0:11:55heading to an antique shop.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59Today we're heading to Larch Antiques.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03They debt we're looking for is £1,797.44.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07That's not a massive debt, so hopefully we can get it resolved.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10The writ against a Mr and Mrs Hunter.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13They used to run a different antique shop nearby,
0:12:13 > 0:12:15which closed owing money to Ron Garrett.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21He and his late wife Karen were enthusiastic collectors.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25Now 70, Ron met Karen in 1968.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29I was in the Air Force, working on the Vulcan bomber.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33I met Karen on a blind date. I don't like dancing particularly,
0:12:33 > 0:12:37but I must've had a bit of a jig and a few pints, and so on.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40I fell in love straight away. She was absolutely gorgeous.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43We were married for 42 years.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46In that time, they developed a shared passion for antiques.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Most Sundays, probably Saturday as well,
0:12:51 > 0:12:53we used to go to a fair or a flea market.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58I collected lots of writing instruments, writing boxes.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03Karen liked anything that was old, especially Victorian sewing pieces.
0:13:03 > 0:13:08In 2012, after suffering from cancer for some time, Karen passed away.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11I miss her every day. I didn't want to come home...
0:13:11 > 0:13:12HE SNIFFS
0:13:12 > 0:13:13..without her.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18It was God's own job just to shut the curtains.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Ron handed down some of their most precious items
0:13:23 > 0:13:24to their two children,
0:13:24 > 0:13:28but eventually decided that much of the collection should be sold.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32It's a hard decision, because we'd collected all the parts together.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35I remember saying loads of times,
0:13:35 > 0:13:39cos obviously, Karen knew she was dying, as well,
0:13:39 > 0:13:41and she said, "Don't you sell my stuff!"
0:13:41 > 0:13:43HE LAUGHS
0:13:43 > 0:13:47I'm expecting a bolt of lightning coming through the ceiling any time.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51I do feel guilty, but the kids don't want them all,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53and I don't want them to end up in house clearance.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58Ron found a local antique shop called Hunter's Emporium,
0:13:58 > 0:14:00run by Nick and Helen Hunter.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02He rented some cabinet space in their shop,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05and they began to sell the items on his behalf.
0:14:06 > 0:14:11Nick and Helen were so friendly, and I trusted them.
0:14:11 > 0:14:12She paid me monthly.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Some months, it was very slow to get my money,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18and very often, there'd be certain things missing
0:14:18 > 0:14:19from the sales invoice.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22They'd obviously sold it and not recorded it.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25I used to point it out, and they'd just pay me the money.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27There was no argument about it.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Despite the discrepancies in the book-keeping,
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Ron kept up the arrangement for two years.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Then something happened that prevented him
0:14:35 > 0:14:38from making his regular visits to the shop.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42I was trimming trees in my garden, and I came down on my back.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47I broke my back and three ribs, and also damaged a kidney.
0:14:47 > 0:14:53So I was in hospital for nine weeks, and I wasn't able to go over there
0:14:53 > 0:14:58and check my stock, check what had been sold and not, and so on.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00When he came home, Ron discovered
0:15:00 > 0:15:03that Hunter's Emporium had closed down.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06He got a final sales invoice for £350,
0:15:06 > 0:15:10and arranged to collect the unsold items from the shop.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14I noticed straight away there were certain parts missing,
0:15:14 > 0:15:15and Nick said,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18"Oh, I've had some of that," you know, he said, "I like your stuff."
0:15:18 > 0:15:20And he said, "I've had some of that."
0:15:20 > 0:15:23So, he said, "I'll make sure you get your money."
0:15:23 > 0:15:27The dealer said he'd bought some of Ron's pieces for himself,
0:15:27 > 0:15:29and promised to pay what was owed.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31We kept in touch with texts.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34I asked him when I'd get my money, and one of the times he said,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37"I haven't got any money at the moment, but as soon as I have,
0:15:37 > 0:15:39"you'll be the first one to get it."
0:15:39 > 0:15:43So I trusted Nick - he was very friendly, called me mate,
0:15:43 > 0:15:48shook my hand, but eventually, something happened,
0:15:48 > 0:15:51and he stopped talking to me.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55At that point, Ron lost contact with both Nick and Helen.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00He was owed £350 in sales, and another £400 from the missing items.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05I was watching the sheriff programme on the television, and I thought,
0:16:05 > 0:16:07"I wonder if they could help me."
0:16:07 > 0:16:10I ran it past my son, and he said,
0:16:10 > 0:16:12"Oh, I don't think your case is big enough, Dad.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14"They probably wouldn't want to bother with it."
0:16:14 > 0:16:18I looked it up. It said anything over £600.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21So, I thought, well, mine's over £600 -
0:16:21 > 0:16:24not by much, but it's over £600.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Before he could engage the sheriffs,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Ron had to get a county court judgment.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32The shop was gone, but a friend gave him Helen Hunter's address,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35and he hand-delivered the court paperwork.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37He never got a reply,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40and after two weeks, the court granted him a default judgment.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42When that too was ignored,
0:16:42 > 0:16:45he upgraded to the High Court, and got a writ.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49Since then, Ron's done more digging, and found there's now a new shop -
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Larch Antiques.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55I've quite enjoyed doing the detective work,
0:16:55 > 0:16:59and I'm really hoping that the sheriffs
0:16:59 > 0:17:02will be able to get my money back for me.
0:17:02 > 0:17:08After going through court, the total debt now stands at £1,797.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19Ron's writ has both Mr and Mrs Hunter's names on it.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21That means they can agree to pay half each,
0:17:21 > 0:17:23or the sheriffs can collect the entire bill
0:17:23 > 0:17:26from whichever one of them they find first.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31Jess and Billy are trained to estimate a business's assets,
0:17:31 > 0:17:33but while they know the value of second-hand computers,
0:17:33 > 0:17:35office furniture and cars at auction,
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Billy's hoping for some help with appraisal today.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40I don't know much about antiques.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42I've brought the antique Jess with me today
0:17:42 > 0:17:44to get him valued to see what he's worth.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46Could be worth a trade-in.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49HE LAUGHS
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Jess might be an old classic himself...
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- It's apparently along here. - Slow it down a bit.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56..but he spots the shop first.
0:17:56 > 0:17:57Larch Antiques. Here we go.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00It's early, and the shop's not yet open.
0:18:00 > 0:18:01We're going to give it till nine o'clock.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Then we're going to make a phone call.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05It's a commercial premises,
0:18:05 > 0:18:09so we'll give them a certain amount of time to turn up.
0:18:09 > 0:18:10Otherwise, we'll force entry.
0:18:10 > 0:18:11While they wait,
0:18:11 > 0:18:15they check out what assets are on offer through the window.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19- Quite nice antiques.- There's some valuable things in there.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21There's some nice clocks in there.
0:18:21 > 0:18:22The bureau is worth a few quid, innit?
0:18:22 > 0:18:26- Nice little record player. - I'd be going for the two bombs.
0:18:26 > 0:18:27- There's bombs inside.- What?
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- Look.- Bombs?
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Two bombs. 81 millimetre mortars.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33It's now gone 9am,
0:18:33 > 0:18:37so Jess calls the number they've been given for the debtors.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Hello, is that Mr Hunter? We're at your shop at the moment.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42We've got a High Court writ for your shop.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Mr Hunter says it's nothing to do with him.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48Your name's on the writ, sir, so it IS something to do with you.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52He insists it's not his problem, and says it's Mrs Hunter's shop.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54He says he's got no involvement in it,
0:18:54 > 0:18:56and it's her they need to speak to.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58If you can get in contact for her, please,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01because we're going to force entry into the shop in about the next ten,
0:19:01 > 0:19:0315 minutes if she doesn't attend.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05it might sound drastic,
0:19:05 > 0:19:08but as Mr Hunter's said he's not paying the bill,
0:19:08 > 0:19:10there might not be any choice.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13Billy's sure of getting Ron's money either way.
0:19:13 > 0:19:14If they don't want to pay,
0:19:14 > 0:19:16if they want to be awkward, we'll force entry,
0:19:16 > 0:19:17we'll call a truck down,
0:19:17 > 0:19:19and we'll remove all the antiques very carefully.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25Ten minutes after he spoke to Mr Hunter, Jess's phone rings.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27PHONE RINGS
0:19:27 > 0:19:31Mr Paton speaking. Is that Mrs Hunter from Larch Antiques?
0:19:31 > 0:19:33We've got a High Court writ here for you.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37She questions whether the debt has to be paid by her alone.
0:19:37 > 0:19:38Both names are on the writ,
0:19:38 > 0:19:41but we're not going to get into who's paying what.
0:19:41 > 0:19:42We're outside your shop at the moment.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44We need you to attend. Otherwise, if you're not here,
0:19:44 > 0:19:46we're going to have to force entry.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48How long will it take you to get here?
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Jess has also discovered why Mr Hunter
0:19:50 > 0:19:52wasn't interested in paying the debt himself.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55The partner's not coming down. She says he's no longer her partner.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57We've opened up a can of worms there.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00But, you know, we've got to do what we've got to do.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03The sheriffs wait, and 20 minutes later, a woman arrives.
0:20:07 > 0:20:08Hello, madam. Are you Mrs Hunter?
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- Yes.- Yeah, I'll just explain, we're High Court Enforcement Agents.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14Yeah, that's fine. I don't want the cameras in here, thank you.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17Jess and Billy head into the shop,
0:20:17 > 0:20:19and we continue filming from the road.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22Right, so what it is, we've got a High Court writ
0:20:22 > 0:20:25against Mrs Hunter and a Mr Hunter.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28To the sheriffs' surprise, Mrs Hunter says she wants to pay
0:20:28 > 0:20:32and get it over with, and she's brought the cash to do so.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36So, it's £1,797.44.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38But she's not got that much.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41She says she thought the debt stood at £1,100,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44and that's how much she's brought along.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46What's happening is, because we've attended today,
0:20:46 > 0:20:48the fees have now been put on top of it.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51So you've received an NOE which would have been the lesser amount,
0:20:51 > 0:20:53but because you didn't pay it within the seven days,
0:20:53 > 0:20:55and we've now come out, it's now gone up.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57She says she doesn't have any more cash,
0:20:57 > 0:20:59and they'll have to take goods.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02But the sheriffs don't think that's in her best interests.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05OK, it does go up if we need to remove.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08If we start removing it's going to go to stage three, then,
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- which will be... - 2,427 plus any removals.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15She says she has some more money in her bank.
0:21:15 > 0:21:16She takes them into the back office,
0:21:16 > 0:21:19where she also hands over the cash she's come in with.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- What did you say was here? 1,100, yeah?- Do you want me to count that?
0:21:22 > 0:21:25You check that, yeah. So, we'll give you a cash receipt for the cash.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29There'd be 697.44, is what we'd need.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32Billy suggests a bank transfer for the remainder,
0:21:32 > 0:21:34but Mrs Hunter doesn't have the card reader necessary
0:21:34 > 0:21:36to use her internet banking.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41But she does find another £100 in cash in the office.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43That's 1,200 in cash.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Jess comes outside to fill us in.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48She's paid the 1,200 cash now.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51Billy's just sorting the last payment out with her now,
0:21:51 > 0:21:52and that should be us here done.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55But inside the shop, Mrs Hunter's attempts to pay
0:21:55 > 0:22:00the remaining £597.44 through the sheriffs' web system
0:22:00 > 0:22:01have been declined.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05They won't leave with it still outstanding,
0:22:05 > 0:22:09so she says she'll have to go and get more cash.
0:22:09 > 0:22:10Obviously we're not going to leave now
0:22:10 > 0:22:13because she hasn't paid the debt in full, so we'll stay in the shop.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Inside, Billy isn't wasting time.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Although they're sure of getting paid,
0:22:18 > 0:22:21he still wants to check out the rest of the assets.
0:22:21 > 0:22:22I think he's found his niche.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25He's walking around looking at all the prices of everything.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27He's seeing stuff in there he's never seen in his life, I think.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29He's only a baby, isn't he?
0:22:30 > 0:22:32I'd better put that down.
0:22:32 > 0:22:3415 minutes after she left,
0:22:34 > 0:22:38Jess spots Mrs Hunter making her way back to the shop.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40She's just come back from the bank now,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43so I'm going to pop back over to the shop and get this paid up.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46We can get out of here then and leave her in peace.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50- Right, OK, 97.50. Right?- 97.50, yeah.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52- OK.- Right, I'll give you a receipt.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55All right. All right, take care, Mrs Hunter.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59The writ might have had both her and her ex-partner's name on it,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02but Mrs Hunter has paid the debt herself in full.
0:23:03 > 0:23:08She's had to face the music, but, you know, at the end of the day,
0:23:08 > 0:23:10we've come here to get the money for the claimant.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12It's not about them - it's about the claimant,
0:23:12 > 0:23:13getting the money for the claimant.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16So, you know, we've done our job, and we're going to move on now.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Whether Helen Hunter tries to get Nick Hunter to pay his share
0:23:19 > 0:23:21of the debt is up to her,
0:23:21 > 0:23:25but Ron Garrett has now finally got the money he's owed.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29- RON:- I think justice has been done. I'm sure Karen would be proud of me.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31If you're owed money, chase them.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Use the system. It's not hard.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37You can do it, most of it online,
0:23:37 > 0:23:41and, OK, it costs you a few quid, but if you're successful,
0:23:41 > 0:23:44you get your money back. So go for it.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Mrs Hunter told us the debt belongs solely to her ex-partner,
0:23:50 > 0:23:54and that he had left her in a difficult situation financially.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59She said Mr Hunter had no involvement in her current business,
0:23:59 > 0:24:00Larch Antiques.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16This afternoon, enforcement agents Rob Foster and Gerald Anderson
0:24:16 > 0:24:18are on their way to another commercial premises,
0:24:18 > 0:24:22where they're expecting to find valuable items on display.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Going to a jewellers' today. Connaught Jewellers.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29Looking at a debt just under £3,000.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33The sheriffs' claimant gave Connaught Jewellers
0:24:33 > 0:24:35a Rolex to sell on his behalf.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39They did so, but he was never paid the money from the sale.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44The jewellers gave the claimant three cheques for payment,
0:24:44 > 0:24:46but all three cheques bounced.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49It's not a mistake the sheriffs are going to repeat.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51As a general rule, we don't accept cheques.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53They're too easy to bounce,
0:24:53 > 0:24:55and they end up creating more problems, costing more money,
0:24:55 > 0:24:57requiring further attendances, etc.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02So, no - cheques are generally out of the question.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05After the bounced cheques, the customer took the shop to court.
0:25:05 > 0:25:11The shop didn't defend the case, and now they owe £2,827.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16- Connaught Jewellers - there on the left-hand side.- There it is, there.
0:25:16 > 0:25:17Looks quite...quite decent.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Looks all right. It's a jewellers'.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24The lights are on, and there is stock in the window.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27They're expecting an upmarket jewellers'
0:25:27 > 0:25:30to have no trouble coming up with just under £3,000.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35They park around the corner, but when they get back to the shop,
0:25:35 > 0:25:36it's locked up.
0:25:42 > 0:25:43Door's locked.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48- No-one there yet?- Hmm.
0:25:57 > 0:25:58I don't think he's gone for lunch.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00There's a coat on the back of the chair out there.
0:26:00 > 0:26:01Yeah. He could well be in there.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04I can't tell if the door's locked because he's gone for lunch,
0:26:04 > 0:26:07or if the door's locked cos he's in the back.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09There's a mobile number on the file, so I'm ringing it now.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13The sheriffs have the power to force entry to a commercial property
0:26:13 > 0:26:18like this one, but they'd rather make contact with the debtor first.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20There's no answer, no voicemail or anything on his mobile.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Well, the worst comes to the worst, it's going to be a locksmith.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26- Yeah.- He ain't going to come here while we're stood here, is he?
0:26:26 > 0:26:29They're concerned that if the jeweller is out to lunch,
0:26:29 > 0:26:31then he might spot them waiting outside the shop,
0:26:31 > 0:26:32and decide not to return,
0:26:32 > 0:26:35so Rob and Gerald make a tactical retreat.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39We're going to withdraw up to a little peepy-hole place up there,
0:26:39 > 0:26:42and just observe the door for the next 20, 30 minutes,
0:26:42 > 0:26:44see if he does come back.
0:26:44 > 0:26:45They find a good hiding spot.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50I can see the shop from here. They obviously can't see me.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53I'm just going to wait here to see if anybody goes in or out.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57While Gerald takes care of surveillance,
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Rob's been reading the file.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02Connaught Jewellers Ltd is dissolved.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05It looks like there was once a limited company
0:27:05 > 0:27:07trading here with a similar name,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10but the sheriffs don't know what the current arrangement is.
0:27:10 > 0:27:11From what they've seen,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14they're convinced the shop is still in business,
0:27:14 > 0:27:17so they step up their efforts to make contact.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20"Sorry, the number you have dialled is not in service."
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Hmm!
0:27:22 > 0:27:26I've tried the two landline numbers. One is no longer in use.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30One just continues to ring, and then rings out.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35While they're trying to work out what to do, Gerald's phone rings.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37PHONE RINGS
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Hello.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Can you hear me?
0:27:41 > 0:27:45But it's a private number, and whoever's on the other end of it
0:27:45 > 0:27:48isn't saying anything. Moments later, Rob gets the same call.
0:27:48 > 0:27:49PHONE RINGS
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Private number. Hello.
0:27:54 > 0:27:55Hello?
0:27:56 > 0:27:59They think it's the jeweller trying to find out
0:27:59 > 0:28:02who's been calling him for the last half hour,
0:28:02 > 0:28:05so they head back to the shop.
0:28:05 > 0:28:06I don't like coincidences,
0:28:06 > 0:28:08and you ringing the number and getting a private number back,
0:28:08 > 0:28:11and then me ringing it and getting a private number back -
0:28:11 > 0:28:14- it's definitely them responding. - 100%.
0:28:14 > 0:28:15It's still locked up...
0:28:17 > 0:28:20- That door's closed. - ..but something's different.
0:28:20 > 0:28:21- That was open.- It was open, yeah.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23Because I could see a chair in there.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26KNOCK AT DOOR
0:28:26 > 0:28:27Got me all excited now.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31- He is in there, isn't he? - He knows we're here.
0:28:35 > 0:28:36After making themselves heard...
0:28:36 > 0:28:38KICKS DOOR
0:28:38 > 0:28:41..there's finally a sign of life from inside.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- Now we've got movement inside. - He's there. Perfect.
0:28:46 > 0:28:47Hello, sir!
0:28:51 > 0:28:52Hello, sir. Are you all right?
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Rob gets straight to the point.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58Right, calling with regards to a live writ today.
0:28:58 > 0:28:59You sold a Rolex.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03- Yeah. But we already...- Yep?
0:29:03 > 0:29:10..sent a letter to the court, and all the papers that they sent,
0:29:10 > 0:29:13they sent to 7A, and 7A is the flat above.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16- Right, OK. - And we haven't heard from them.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18Was it just a letter explaining the circumstances?
0:29:18 > 0:29:19Explaining the circumstances.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21It's not complying with the court's rules.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24You don't just write to the court, though. You seek legal advice,
0:29:24 > 0:29:26you go and see a solicitor, and You file the correct forms.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30That hasn't been done, so we're here a live writ today to enforce
0:29:30 > 0:29:32for payment in full or removal of goods.
0:29:32 > 0:29:33Rob's not impressed.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37The man says he's aware of the case, but all he seems to have done
0:29:37 > 0:29:40is write a letter to the court complaining about it.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43He hasn't applied for a stay on the writ,
0:29:43 > 0:29:45or for the judgment to be set aside.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47Very simply, are you going to pay it?
0:29:47 > 0:29:50I haven't got any money to pay.
0:29:50 > 0:29:51- Right.- My daughter pays them.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53Where's the money for the watch that was sold, then?
0:29:53 > 0:29:58It's... It belongs to Connaught Jewellers Ltd.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01- Right.- We haven't received any papers from you.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04So you're saying everything belongs to Connaught Jewellers Ltd?
0:30:04 > 0:30:07- Yes.- Which is a dissolved company - it's gone, it doesn't exist.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10It's gone, but we are still running the company.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12- Let me just tell you one thing. - Instead of limited...- Yep.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14..it's Connaught Jewellers.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17- Yes. - And that is the name on the writ.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19That's exactly what I needed to hear!
0:30:20 > 0:30:23But now the man says the shop doesn't belong to him.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27He's the manager, but the lease is in his daughter's name,
0:30:27 > 0:30:29and it's her business.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31None of that makes any difference to the sheriffs.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34Can I ring my daughter, and she explains to you?
0:30:34 > 0:30:36I don't want anything explained to me.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39- It belongs to her.- I don't want anything explained to me.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41I want it paid, or I'll take goods.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44- That's it. That's all I'm after, is the payment.- How can we pay you?
0:30:44 > 0:30:47I take card, I take cash, many different ways.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49- Can we give you a cheque? - No. We don't take cheques.
0:30:49 > 0:30:54We don't take cheques. You bounced three of them on the last guy.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57Gerald, meanwhile, is exploring the back office.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Sorry, why are you... This is only a workshop.
0:31:00 > 0:31:05I'm just looking through paperwork to see exactly what's what.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09I have the right under the writ to investigate.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Ideally, he wants a document
0:31:11 > 0:31:14proving some of the jewellery belongs to Connaught Jewellers,
0:31:14 > 0:31:16but there's not much of interest.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18He tries a different tack.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20Let's go back a couple of months.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24I give you this and say, "Can you sell that for me?"
0:31:24 > 0:31:28- You sell that to this gentleman here for £2,000.- Yes.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32- Correct.- Where's that £2,000 that he gave you?
0:31:32 > 0:31:34It's my regular customer.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36Oh, right.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38And every time he buys something, he pays...
0:31:38 > 0:31:40- He'll pay you next year, maybe. - No, not next year.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43- No, no, no, no. - Who's got the £2,000?
0:31:43 > 0:31:45- I have got the £2,000. - Right, whose £2,000 is it?
0:31:45 > 0:31:47But I didn't get...
0:31:47 > 0:31:48- Whose 2,000...- It's yours, but...
0:31:48 > 0:31:51- But...- Right, so why don't you pay me?- But it was only...
0:31:51 > 0:31:54..only six weeks when he started moaning.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57Whatever the arrangement was,
0:31:57 > 0:32:01the Rolex's owner has had neither his watch nor his money
0:32:01 > 0:32:03for months now.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06Later, can Rob and Gerald convince the jeweller
0:32:06 > 0:32:07to pay his customer back?
0:32:07 > 0:32:11I wasn't kidding you when I said that I'd be looking at taking
0:32:11 > 0:32:13£20,000 worth of kit, which is basically clearing the shop out.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21If you've won a county court judgment and haven't been paid,
0:32:21 > 0:32:25for £66, you can get the case transferred up to the High Court,
0:32:25 > 0:32:29which will issue a writ for enforcement by the sheriffs.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33I'm an enforcement agent enforcing a High Court writ.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35I'm here just to execute the court order.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38They've got more powers than county court bailiffs...
0:32:38 > 0:32:39We're going to remove cars.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44If you obstruct myself or my colleague, it is a criminal offence.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48..and there's no limit to the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51£14 million. It's the largest job I've ever done.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54You can pay directly into our account from Spain.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56If they're successful, they will recover your money and costs
0:32:56 > 0:32:59- from the debtor... - Thanks.- Thank you.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03..as well as their own fees that are set by the Government.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06It was that amount there until 5:30.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09I don't stand here for three hours for nothing.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11If the sheriffs can't get your money,
0:33:11 > 0:33:15they'll ask you to pay a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Earlier, Tommy and Mike visited Dr Berglin,
0:33:21 > 0:33:24looking for more than £13,000
0:33:24 > 0:33:28that he and his wife owe to their former landlord.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30This is paying all day long, this is.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33He said he couldn't pay, but the sheriffs found
0:33:33 > 0:33:36a potentially valuable asset on his driveway.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38That's a nice motor.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40I'm thinking this will be the one that's going to go.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44They decided it was too difficult to remove it in the dark that evening.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47And now, two days later,
0:33:47 > 0:33:50they're returning to collect the clamped car.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52The defendant's been back in contact.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55He's very cooperative. He says he's now got a key.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57I think he's resigned to the fact
0:33:57 > 0:33:59that he's not going to be able to pay it,
0:33:59 > 0:34:00and the vehicle's going to go.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04They arrive at the Berglins' property, and as Tommy heads inside,
0:34:04 > 0:34:07Mike checks in with their recovery man.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09How long will you be, roughly?
0:34:09 > 0:34:11Dr Berglin has found the keys,
0:34:11 > 0:34:14which should increase the vehicle's value at auction.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17He's also going to start it, so the sheriffs' removal man
0:34:17 > 0:34:22doesn't cause any damage trying to lift it off the gravel.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25- ENGINE STARTS - Oh, my. Woohoo!
0:34:25 > 0:34:28Whoo! That sounds gorgeous, doesn't it?
0:34:30 > 0:34:34- It does sound racy, doesn't it? - ENGINE REVS
0:34:34 > 0:34:36Tommy and Mike inspect the vehicle,
0:34:36 > 0:34:40but they can hardly hear themselves over the noise of the engine.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44Mike seizes the cover, and as the car is now unlocked,
0:34:44 > 0:34:46he checks the glove box for documents,
0:34:46 > 0:34:49which also gives him a chance to try out the seats.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52Oh, it is quite spacious inside, isn't it?
0:34:52 > 0:34:55When Dr Berglin says he'll drive it onto the road for them,
0:34:55 > 0:34:58Tommy can't resist doing the same.
0:34:58 > 0:34:59Believe it or not, I have had it before,
0:34:59 > 0:35:03- and then people have drove off. So...- No, he won't drive off.
0:35:03 > 0:35:04I can understand why...
0:35:04 > 0:35:06- ENGINE REVS - Oh, my lord!
0:35:06 > 0:35:08I can understand why Tommy's doing it.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13Cos he's obviously got to make sure the asset's still secure.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15But I think it was more that he just wanted to sit in it,
0:35:15 > 0:35:18and say he'd been in it.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20His 100-foot joyride complete,
0:35:20 > 0:35:25Tommy discovers why the car's been sat on the driveway for so long.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27It's not built for me, I don't think.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Is that fluid coming out?
0:35:29 > 0:35:33- Yeah.- He'd let customers go out in it on track days.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35Obviously the vehicle sits very low-profile on the track,
0:35:35 > 0:35:38and there's something in the vehicle
0:35:38 > 0:35:40that raises it for when you come off the track.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44The customer didn't raise it, hit a speed bump, which caused the damage.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46We could see the fluids coming out the front.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49The sheriffs are hoping it's just a leaky hose,
0:35:49 > 0:35:51and the damage isn't severe enough
0:35:51 > 0:35:53to put off potential bidders at auction.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56Problem or not, Tommy's still impressed.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59It's a lovely car. It's like a muscle car, isn't it?
0:35:59 > 0:36:02See, if I was a car, that would be me.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04- You'd be a Nissan Micra. - LAUGHTER
0:36:06 > 0:36:09Right on time, the recovery truck arrives.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12Is it not starting?
0:36:12 > 0:36:14Dr Berglin jump-started the car ten minutes ago...
0:36:16 > 0:36:18..but the recovery man can't.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Might have to get his heavy-duty one out.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24So the debtor and his extra-large battery are needed again.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26Hopefully, this is going to work now.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30- It'll be a lot simpler to get it on board. - ENGINE STARTS
0:36:30 > 0:36:32There you go. Straight away.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35- Amazing, straight away. - And that's not all.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38He's also got a bottle of fluid that he hands over to Tommy.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40Then you top it up with some of that?
0:36:43 > 0:36:46Yeah, you're fine my side, mate.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48Yeah.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51The Mercedes is driven onto the low loader, secured,
0:36:51 > 0:36:53and that's the job done.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56That's a beautiful car, isn't it?
0:36:56 > 0:36:59Tommy hands over the seizure paperwork, and the car heads off.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04It will be taken to secure storage,
0:37:04 > 0:37:07and after a minimum of 14 days in which Dr Berglin
0:37:07 > 0:37:10will have a chance to register any objections,
0:37:10 > 0:37:12it will be sold at public auction.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16That asset's worth a substantial amount of money.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19Obviously he'll be getting some money back, also clearing his debt.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21The claimant will also be getting their money back.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23A good result all round.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26And as you can see, we will come out, we'll enforce,
0:37:26 > 0:37:30we'll get these goods removed, and we will recover our clients' debts.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33A few weeks later, the car was sold at auction,
0:37:33 > 0:37:36but it only made £11,300,
0:37:36 > 0:37:39which wasn't enough to clear the entire debt.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41That means, as far as the sheriffs are concerned,
0:37:41 > 0:37:43the case is not yet closed.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56Rob and Gerald are still in a jewellers' in West London,
0:37:56 > 0:37:58trying to get more than £2,000
0:37:58 > 0:38:03for a customer who wasn't paid when the shop sold a Rolex on his behalf.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06- Who's got the £2,000? - I have got the £2,000.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09- Right. Whose £2,000 is it? - But I didn't get...
0:38:09 > 0:38:11- Whose 2,000...- It's yours.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15So far, it's been a frustrating experience for the sheriffs.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17The jeweller has admitted he owes the money,
0:38:17 > 0:38:19but doesn't seem keen to pay up.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22If they can't leave with the claimant's cash,
0:38:22 > 0:38:26the sheriffs might have to sell the shop's goods instead.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28- Time's up.- Where's the keys for all these drawers, now?
0:38:28 > 0:38:30- Cos I want to empty them. - Excuse me...
0:38:30 > 0:38:34- I'm taking everything.- Everything?! - Everything.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36The jeweller says that like the Rolex,
0:38:36 > 0:38:38almost everything here is sale or return,
0:38:38 > 0:38:42and belongs to his customers, not the shop.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44So he offers them something he does own.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49I've got one thing - that carriage clock.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52That alone is £2,000.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54But it's not that simple.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56The clock won't fetch that much at auction,
0:38:56 > 0:39:00and Gerald explains that if he has to remove it, the bill will go up.
0:39:00 > 0:39:05- How much are we looking at at sale, Rob?- It'll go up to £4,100.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07If you pay it now, it's £2,800. That's it.
0:39:07 > 0:39:12But at auction, I'd be looking at around £16,000-£20,000 worth
0:39:12 > 0:39:14of goods to cover the debt.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18The carriage clock alone isn't worth anything like enough money
0:39:18 > 0:39:22to clear the debt, so the sheriffs' attention turns elsewhere.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25What else in here? These are owned by Connaught Jewellers?
0:39:25 > 0:39:28- Those, yes, yes.- And how much do you reckon these are worth?
0:39:28 > 0:39:31Well, I sell them for £200 each.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33There are some high-value items in the cabinets,
0:39:33 > 0:39:36and the jeweller doesn't want to lose them.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40He now says he can get his daughter to pay the debt.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44If you give us 24 hours, we will pay you.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47It's not the end of the world, for God's sake.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50I'm not asking you to wait for days and days.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54But it has been three weeks since the notice of enforcement
0:39:54 > 0:39:57was sent out, and months since the Rolex was sold.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59If the man's daughter is going to pay,
0:39:59 > 0:40:03Gerald doesn't want it put off any longer.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05I can send a link to your daughter for her to just put down,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08- and it's done. - Let me tell you one thing.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11- She cannot leave the office.- She doesn't have to leave the office.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14Sir, all I'd have to do for your daughter -
0:40:14 > 0:40:17she can stay sat at her desk, behind wherever she is -
0:40:17 > 0:40:20I send her a text on her phone.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22- Yeah?- And on the text on her phone, It'll say,
0:40:22 > 0:40:26"Put your card detail in here." She can do it on the phone.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28Text, done, finished.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30But even that isn't going to work.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32The man says his daughter is too busy,
0:40:32 > 0:40:34and can't pay the sheriffs now.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38I cannot believe that you cannot get hold of your daughter.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41She is the supervisor.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44She doesn't even talk to me.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Can you assure me, in 24 hours, that debt will be paid?
0:40:46 > 0:40:51- Yes.- Yeah?- Yes. - I don't believe a word.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Please! I don't have to lie to you!
0:40:53 > 0:40:56I'm 73 years old!
0:40:56 > 0:40:59It's been two hours since they first knocked on the door,
0:40:59 > 0:41:03and Gerald has finally extracted a promise of payment
0:41:03 > 0:41:04from the jeweller.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07Rob thinks that's as good as they'll get today,
0:41:07 > 0:41:11and decides to give the jeweller the time he says he needs.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13So we can do a controlled goods agreement.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17You sign it, I sign it, and we give you 24 hours to settle it in full.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21Gerald lets the man know it doesn't mean he's off the hook.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24If it's not paid by that time, we then end up coming back.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Whether you're here or not,
0:41:27 > 0:41:29we'd get a locksmith, and open the place up,
0:41:29 > 0:41:34and I wasn't kidding you when I said that I'd be looking at taking
0:41:34 > 0:41:38£20,000 worth of kit, which would basically clear the shop out.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40Rob and Gerald go through the assets,
0:41:40 > 0:41:44and list everything the man agrees belongs to the shop.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47- All these watches, Connaught Jewellers', yes?- The watches, yes.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51- Swiss.- Swiss? So that's the manufacturer, Swiss?
0:41:51 > 0:41:55- The manufacturer is Swiss.- One, two, three, four, five, six, seven.
0:41:55 > 0:41:56Seven wrist bracelets.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00The sheriffs are never happy to leave a job without getting paid,
0:42:00 > 0:42:02but they've done all they can today.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06Rob gives the man the control of goods agreement to sign...
0:42:06 > 0:42:08Right there. Perfect. Yeah.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12..and with that, the shop's stock technically belongs to the court
0:42:12 > 0:42:14until the debt is paid.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16When you've paid, give Mr Foster a phone call,
0:42:16 > 0:42:18otherwise I'll be back here Monday to empty the place out.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21- OK.- Ta-ra now.- Bye.- Ta-ra.- Cheerio.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23It's not been the easiest day's work,
0:42:23 > 0:42:28and they haven't yet recovered any money for their client.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32I'm not convinced he's going to pay it as he's said he'll pay it.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35I have told him that I will eat my hat
0:42:35 > 0:42:38if it's paid by nine o'clock, Monday.
0:42:38 > 0:42:44A total of £2,473 was paid the same day by Connaught Jewellers,
0:42:44 > 0:42:48and cleared in the sheriffs' account later that evening.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51The remaining balance was paid three days later.
0:42:51 > 0:42:56So, in the end, the owners stuck to their word, and so did Gerald.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02Connaught Jewellers told us the payment was transferred
0:43:02 > 0:43:03before the sheriffs' visit.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06They also said the original court claim
0:43:06 > 0:43:09was mistakenly sent to the wrong address.