Bailiffs recovering unpaid train/bus fares from teenage son

kittykat500

Three years ago a mate's son bunked the train and bus to a total of £3.20 and didn't pay the ensuing fines. It subsequently went to court, where the judge ruled that the kid should pay £5.00 per week out of his dole money, as he wasn't working at the time. This he didn't do. Now three years on, the bailiffs came to the door and this kid's mum answered the door and let the bailiff in to discuss. He had paperwork claiming the amount now due was £660.

They are returning on Wednesday to recover goods from her son's room (he probably doesn't even own enough to pay off the debt anyway). She's feeling sick with worry over this as she feels she should help him pay the fine, although she has virtually no extra income at all herself. The kid works odd hours for a supermarket and isn't willing or able to pay this sort of sum.

I've told her not to be so stupid, as the debt isn't hers and they are not allowed to take any of her goods but she's quite a righteous person and feels obliged to do something to help her son. Although I can see this probably won't be the last time something like this happens!

Can anyone give me any advice to pass onto her? She can't take time off work to talk to Citizen's Advice as she'll lose pay and her ex-husband doesn't see how it's his problem. Thanks in advance.

FireWyrm

Oh for heavens sake!

All for £3.20? Seriously? What planet is your friend on and what a family for not giving the boy a swift kick up the jacksy in the first place when he was caught.

No, the bailiff cannot take goods belonging to the mother, he can however make this alot worse than it has to be by slapping on continued fees, fines and what not. Eventually, he could go to jail for this...its that stupid.

I suggest you advise your friend to get onto National Debtline who will be able to give her more advice. Also, write to your local MP who might be able to get this lot overturned on the basis that an original fine was for £3.20. It really is blown out of all proportion by both your friend and her sons inattention. If they had just paid the original fine, this wouldnt have happened.

niksyg

Firewyrm I think the original FARE was £3.20, whereas the fine would have been more. However, I agree that the whole thing has been completely exascerbated by the young lads irresponsibility to just pay up as soon as the fine came through - he got caught, deal with it!

Agreed - ring National Debtline for some advice, also someone needs to have strong words with the boy for letting it get this far!!

365days

I think this calls for a bit of tough love.

If Mum bails him out he won't ever learn not to be so stupid again. I would be sorely tempted to let the bailiff take his stuff (as you say he isn't willing to pay). If his Mum tells him that this is what she intends to do, he may have to find himself 'willing' to pay.

How old is he?

Willing2Learn

He can't be a kid any more. He was already on the dole when fined in court and another three years have lapsed. He's probably low 20's?

Mum shouldn't bail him out imho as he needs to learn about responsibility and consequences. He won't learn if someone does it all for him. I agree he should immediately call National Debtline and put in place a payment plan that he can afford from his his current wages.

Tixy

So she let them in the house? Did they enter son's room and list down goods from the room?

Did she sign anything? (a walking possession order)
Was son at home? Did he sign anything?

kittykat500

365days wrote: »

How old is he?

I think he's 20-21ish. Apparently he's recently bought a PC and some sort of games console and it would seem this was bought on credit, so if the bailiffs take those, there will also be future implications there.

I personally think how stupid to have had a ruling at court and not obeyed it! But there you go, I don't think there has been any follow up until now, three years later - which seems a bit off.

I have advised her to ring the national debtline and hope she gets help there.

kittykat500

Tixy wrote: »

So she let them in the house? Did they enter son's room and list down goods from the room?

Did she sign anything? (a walking possession order)
Was son at home? Did he sign anything?

Unfortunately I don't know. They must have discussed the case with her, as she knew what the fines were for, but I don't know if her son was around at the time to allow this, as he is the debtor and should have spoken directly with the bailiffs.

FireWyrm

If the items are hire-purchase, they cant touch them because they legally still belong to the company he purchased them from.

If he merely bought the items on the credit card, then he absolutely 'ownes' then and will end up paying back the money to the credit card for items seized to cover a bailiff debt.