Back in June, when we had just a skeleton staff on one Saturday morning, an “enforcement agent” (bailiff) called
Darren Williamson working for a company called Bristow & Sutor, on behalf of Transport for London attended our premises. He claimed authority to enforce a judgment for a traffic violation in London by a vehicle not owned by us and registered at a different address.
After refusing to leave, disturbing customers, threatening “removal vans” and threatening to take our computers (illegal), he extracted with menaces, and under duress, a sum of £559 from a lone female member of staff.
Darren Williamson tried to bully the wrong company.
We took legal advice, and sued Transport for London for his actions to have our money returned plus any costs, interest, and damages.
Transport for London sent the bailiff Darren Williamson, a lawyer and a Barrister to the court hearing in September. We represented ourselves.
This month, Transport for London paid us £3150 in settlement.
Moral of the story: Don’t assume bailiffs have authority because they say they do. Don’t be bullied. Know there are bad apples out there and some who operate outside the law. Some are happy to try and intimidate women to get a result. Always
take legal advice and record events if you can.