distress warrant

[catalice]

Hi everyone
this is my first time here so i hope i have done this correctly

I am in need of advice i have tried ringing CAB to get an appointment but they dont answer the phone

I was fined in the magistrates court for not having a tv licence in dec 07
they passed the fine onto philips collection services Ltd
a distress warrant was issued on 11-12-08

i have been bombarded with voice texts to my landline and have recieved 2 visits from the bailiff that i know of

the first letter i got from them i rang them up and tried to make arrangements to pay by installments
as i am on benefits i can not afford to pay the £450 in full

this was the very first figure that philips told me that i owed
after ringing the courts i find out that my original fine was for £300
how can the bailiffs chage me £150 before they ever made contact with me?

I had no idea about the fine at all from the courts as i had moved from the property the fine relates to in jan 08

in my calculations the distress warrent runs out tomorrow

i am getting petrified now as i know they have the power to break into my home and take my furniture
i am a single parent in receipt of JSA
i have tried on several occasions to talk to philips and arrange a payment plan that i know i can afford but they refuse to accept this

please any legal advice would be greatfully appreciated


Cat xx

[Amy]

Re: distress warrant

Although they are technically permitted to break-in, this is very rare. So do try not to worry, which I appreciate is difficult.

You should send the bailiff a Subject Access Request, here Bailiff Guide - Legal Beagles

No more talking on the telephone, keep everything to writing only.

[Amy]

Re: distress warrant

Have you paid anything towards this fine at all?

Have you seen a copy of the distress warrant?

[catalice]

Re: distress warrant

yes i paid £10 when i received the first letter to show willing even though i couldnt afford this at the time
(they refused to take any more payments unless i paid in full)

No i have never seen a warrant
the bailiff told me there was a distress warrant in march when he visited me ( he was extremely rude and was shouting at me in the street and calling me names)
I rang the court this morning that issued said fine/warrant and they informed me that they will not take it back due to philips having a distress warrant which was issued on 11-12-08 179 days ago
I have read that a warrant only lasts for 180 days and then it has to go back to court??

but the bailiff never showed me anything ever
i told him my circumstances and he took my national insurance number

so far i have written emails to Mr Bradley - philips head office
OFT and my local MP
complaining about the treatment of the bailiff