The dispute related to an alleged agreement for ‘consultancy services’ charged at £1,500 per month
Shaun Smith in 2018(Image: LIVERPOOL ECHO)
A company owned by the UK’s ‘scariest debt collector’ took a charity to court, after claiming it owed more than £25,000 in ‘consultancy services’. The hearing took place this afternoon, Friday April 24, at Liverpool County Court relating to a claim made by Shaun Smith Enterprises Limited (SSEL) against a registered charity called Eldonian Community Trust Limited (Eldonian charity).
SSEL’s sole director is a person named Shaun Smith, 60, the point of contact for the claim, represented by barrister Harry East during a telephone hearing, which also included District Judge Louise Metcalf, and the Eldonian charity’s legal team of Daniel Crowley and Paul Currie.
Mr Smith gained a degree of celebrity back in 2013, after a Vice News documentary called him the UK’s ‘scariest debt collector’. Since then, he’s also featured in a 2018 Netflix documentary called Bare Knuckle Fight Club.
On May 21, 2025, SSEL made a money claim against Eldonian charity for £25,500, a fee relating to an alleged ‘consultancy’ agreement.
The claim form stated: “By an Agreement dated 18th April 2023 made between the Defendant and the Claimant (‘the Agreement”) the Claimant employed the Defendant to provide Consultancy Services at the rate of £1,500 per month.
“On 23rd October 2024 the Claimant submitted an invoice to the Defendant in the sum of £25,500 for services rendered by the Claimant to the Defendant pursuant to the Agreement.
“The Defendant has failed to pay the Invoice and the Claimant seeks a Judgement for the amount of the Invoice.”
After submissions were made by the legal representatives of both SSEL and the Eldonian charity, District Judge Metcalf dismissed the Claimants application in full, and awarded fixed costs against SSEL.
In a statement issued after the dismissal The Eldonian Community Trust said: “The current Board of Trustees, appointed in 2025, has approached these proceedings with a clear focus on protecting the interests of the charity and the community it serves.
“We welcome the Court’s decision, which provides certainty and allows the Trust to continue its work without the burden of ongoing litigation in this matter.
“The Trustees wish to place on record their sincere thanks to Daniel Crowley, at 2 Temple Gardens, and Paul Currie of Liverpool Legal Limited for their professionalism and support throughout.”
Maureen Price, Vice Chair of the Charity added: “I’m really pleased to see this resolved. It gives us the space to move forward and focus on what truly matters, our community.”
She added: “There’s a renewed sense of positivity, and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together next.”