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Hi,
I just need some good information here. My husband got a fine that went to Warwickshire Magistrates court. It was for a speeding fine and apparently no information was given, only because we moved and didn't get the original documents telling us about the offense.
So about a month ago we got a letter at this address stating they he needed to pay or else. Well he did call and arrange a payment plan to pay in installments with Collectica the collection agency handling the fine. The arrangement was that he would pay £70 a fortnight, as that's when he gets paid, but instead he made two payments of only £50 and within 3 days a bailiff was at our door. We had no prior notice that he would be turning up and it was a complete surprise to me. I am an American, so I know nothing about bailiffs or English law. I went outside and the man told me he was here to collect £955!!! (£745 as by the court, £75 added on and £235 for the bailiff to come out). He also said that if we didn't pay, he was going to take all of our belongings.
He also said he would take my dogs, as I have 4 dogs. I didn't want to let him into the house, but he sweet talked my husband, saying we could come to an arrangement and so he did come inside. I never signed anything, nor did my husband, no control goods order was made and other than asking my first name, that is all I told him (naively). My husband did pay him £80 cash while he was here and he got my husband's debit card details saying he would take the £955 (notice the other £100 already paid, plus the £80 cash wasn't taken off) on Friday, the 5th September. My husband only just makes about that much per fortnight, so if they took the money, we would effectively have nothing to live on for another two weeks.
Then yesterday my husband rang Warwickshire Magistrates court, as that's where the original fine started. At first they said they would recall the bailiff and he would only have to pay the original fine of £80, but that it would need to be transferred to our local magistrates court here in Doncaster. Then when my husband rang Doncaster, they said nothing could be done and that we'd have to deal with the bailiff and come to some arrangement with him. So my husband rang him and at first he wanted all the money as soon as he could get it, but my husband said he would pay some this payday, and then some the next, etc. Thing is, we've had nothing in writing from that bailiff, even when he was here. He didn't even give his name, we only got that when the husband went to CAB.
Now here's the thing. I've been told to not deal with the bailiff, not to pay them and not to let them into the house. I have been told that he can only come 3 times to our house and he's been once. I have been told he cannot force entry into the house, nor can he take my dogs or my fish tanks as he said he could.
I have been told that if we keep refusing to talk to him or deal with him, he will revert the debt back to Warwickshire and it gets dealt with all over again.
We have a car, but it's not really worth much, so if they take that, I am not that bothered to be honest. I just don't want them to break in and take our stuff. And that's another thing, I've been told that even though we are married, they cannot take all of my things, but mainly that which is my husband's.
I just want some clear answers because CAB have told us conflicting information and I am just as confused as I was before. I suffer with anxiety and am trying to get an appointment with my doctor to tell her what's going on.
Are we screwed because we paid this bailiff in cash? I seen the transaction so I know the bailiff accepted £80 from us last Tuesday, 26th August. I think the £180 that's been paid should come off the entire debt ..... but how can I prove that?
Can someone please help, I am really freaking out. This bailiff expects my husband to ring him on Friday and to meet him with the cash to pay part of this debt. But I don't trust this bailiff seeing how he's said things that blatantly weren't true and we never got any paperwork from him whatsoever.
Most appreciative for any help anyone can provide. The agency is Collectica out of Doncaster and the bailiff is someone called Shane Woolles, or Woollers?
Thanks in advance.
I just need some good information here. My husband got a fine that went to Warwickshire Magistrates court. It was for a speeding fine and apparently no information was given, only because we moved and didn't get the original documents telling us about the offense.
So about a month ago we got a letter at this address stating they he needed to pay or else. Well he did call and arrange a payment plan to pay in installments with Collectica the collection agency handling the fine. The arrangement was that he would pay £70 a fortnight, as that's when he gets paid, but instead he made two payments of only £50 and within 3 days a bailiff was at our door. We had no prior notice that he would be turning up and it was a complete surprise to me. I am an American, so I know nothing about bailiffs or English law. I went outside and the man told me he was here to collect £955!!! (£745 as by the court, £75 added on and £235 for the bailiff to come out). He also said that if we didn't pay, he was going to take all of our belongings.
He also said he would take my dogs, as I have 4 dogs. I didn't want to let him into the house, but he sweet talked my husband, saying we could come to an arrangement and so he did come inside. I never signed anything, nor did my husband, no control goods order was made and other than asking my first name, that is all I told him (naively). My husband did pay him £80 cash while he was here and he got my husband's debit card details saying he would take the £955 (notice the other £100 already paid, plus the £80 cash wasn't taken off) on Friday, the 5th September. My husband only just makes about that much per fortnight, so if they took the money, we would effectively have nothing to live on for another two weeks.
Then yesterday my husband rang Warwickshire Magistrates court, as that's where the original fine started. At first they said they would recall the bailiff and he would only have to pay the original fine of £80, but that it would need to be transferred to our local magistrates court here in Doncaster. Then when my husband rang Doncaster, they said nothing could be done and that we'd have to deal with the bailiff and come to some arrangement with him. So my husband rang him and at first he wanted all the money as soon as he could get it, but my husband said he would pay some this payday, and then some the next, etc. Thing is, we've had nothing in writing from that bailiff, even when he was here. He didn't even give his name, we only got that when the husband went to CAB.
Now here's the thing. I've been told to not deal with the bailiff, not to pay them and not to let them into the house. I have been told that he can only come 3 times to our house and he's been once. I have been told he cannot force entry into the house, nor can he take my dogs or my fish tanks as he said he could.
I have been told that if we keep refusing to talk to him or deal with him, he will revert the debt back to Warwickshire and it gets dealt with all over again.
We have a car, but it's not really worth much, so if they take that, I am not that bothered to be honest. I just don't want them to break in and take our stuff. And that's another thing, I've been told that even though we are married, they cannot take all of my things, but mainly that which is my husband's.
I just want some clear answers because CAB have told us conflicting information and I am just as confused as I was before. I suffer with anxiety and am trying to get an appointment with my doctor to tell her what's going on.
Are we screwed because we paid this bailiff in cash? I seen the transaction so I know the bailiff accepted £80 from us last Tuesday, 26th August. I think the £180 that's been paid should come off the entire debt ..... but how can I prove that?
Can someone please help, I am really freaking out. This bailiff expects my husband to ring him on Friday and to meet him with the cash to pay part of this debt. But I don't trust this bailiff seeing how he's said things that blatantly weren't true and we never got any paperwork from him whatsoever.
Most appreciative for any help anyone can provide. The agency is Collectica out of Doncaster and the bailiff is someone called Shane Woolles, or Woollers?
Thanks in advance.
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