A woman who relies on her car due to illness is worried she might lose it - due to a police mistake.
Jackie Mooney, of Holywell, has a car as part of the Motability Scheme - a charity initiative open to people who receive benefits due to disability or illness which makes it difficult for them to get around.
The scheme offers to "take care of everything from insurance, servicing, maintenance and breakdown cover" - as well as adapting vehicles where required.
Miss Mooney was shocked to receive notification in March this year that her vehicle had allegedly been involved in an incident in Wrexham.
The 63-year-old was informed by police that she'd collided with another vehicle on a forecourt at Ruabon Park Service Station and had 'driven off'.
But Miss Mooney, who complied with North Wales Police's request for information, said she had not even been in Wrexham that day.
She told the force as such, stating she was "not very happy."
And ultimately, a review of the evidence revealed her vehicle details "were taken in error" - which resulted in an apology from North Wales Police and confirmation in writing that no action would be taken against her.
However, Miss Mooney said that in the intervening period, the allegation triggered issues with her Motability contract.
Jackie Mooney (Image: Jackie Mooney)
In a letter to her at the end of April her insurer stated an incident involving her Motability Scheme vehicle had been reported to them - and that a company had been appointed to gather more information "regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident."
A subsequent letter to her from Motability at the beginning of June stated she was "in breach" of the terms and conditions of her agreement with the charity - with a warning that termination of the agreement and recovery of the vehicle could result.
It stated that the breach had come about due to her failing to provide information requested by her insurer as part of the scheme.
Ms Mooney said she had contacted the insurer "to sort it out" and inform them of the mistake.
However, she has since had further correspondence from her insurer to confirm the last remaining driver on her policy has now been removed from it - and as of this week she told the Leader she has been told she must return the vehicle.
"I haven't done anything wrong," she said.
"I find it really unfair - all this because of this mistake by the police.
"I'm being penalised for something I haven't done - they got the wrong car and sent me an email apologising. It's their mistake.
"I've been told it has to go back. I am not happy and I will be taking it further."
Miss Mooney explained that she relies on her car to get to and from medical appointments and shops as she has heart, kidney and liver issues.
She added that she wanted to publicly speak out about the issue in order to help others, adding: "What if this happens to someone who can't fight back?"
A spokesperson for North Wales Police said: "We recognise the distress and inconvenience this error has caused to the woman involved, and have written a letter of apology in respect of this matter.
"We have also been in direct contact with her and the insurance company to assist in resolving this issue as quickly as possible."
In an email to the Motability Scheme this week, an evidence assessor for the force asked that the 'no further action' letter be passed on with a view to rectifying the matter - stating it is their understanding that "the matter is still under investigation with a view to Miss Mooney’s vehicle being taken off her."
The Motability Scheme was approached for comment.
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