Desperate Plea After Mobility Car Was Repossessed

A woman who has mobility problems has been left in a desperate situation after she had the car she uses to get about taken from her.

A woman with mobility issues is in a tough spot after having her car taken away.

Patricia Pickett, 65, from Theale, relied on her automatic Renault Clio for transport due to a spinal condition.

She received the car through the Motability scheme, which helps disabled people lease vehicles for daily tasks. However, after spending seven months in custody—though she was later acquitted of arson—she returned home only to find her car had been repossessed.

Patricia shared, “It’s all happened because I was incarcerated. I’m back in my property now but I don’t know where to go from here. I’m housebound.” She struggles to walk even short distances, experiencing severe panic attacks.

The car was taken just days after her release from Reading Crown Court. “They picked it up and took it away. I can’t get another mobility car until I pay off this debt. It feels like I’ve been put in another prison,” she said, having been part of the scheme for over 20 years. She is currently relying on food delivery services and is facing financial strain with about £2,000 owed to the Motability scheme.

The Motability Scheme stated, “If someone goes to prison, their mobility allowance stops, and they no longer qualify for a vehicle. In this case, we were not informed of her change in circumstances.”

Patricia lamented, “All my debts have piled up, and I’ve lost my car, which was crucial for my life. I can barely get about anymore.”

A spokesperson from the DWP confirmed that Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is not payable while in prison and stated that the Motability scheme is responsible for vehicle repossessions.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter