A family from Braintree is raising awareness after buying a car which was later found to be stolen.
Braintree couple, Gary and Alexandra Leverett paid £18,000 for a Kia after travelling to London to meet the seller and test drive the vehicle.
The pair had been in search of a suitable family car to assist with their son seven-year-old, Henry, who has autism.
But six days after bringing the car home, Gary, 38, was followed home by a police vehicle after popping to the shop with his eldest son.
Alexandra said: "Gary came running into the house saying he was about to be arrested and that the car was stolen.
"I went outside and spoke to the officer; we had to pull up the carpet under the chair to check for another vehicle number and that's what proved it was stolen.
"The police officer apologised profusely and the car was seized."
An Essex Police spokesman said: “Officers recovered a stolen vehicle when they stopped it in Braintree.
“Police stopped the vehicle at around 8.10pm on Monday 2 March after a check confirmed it to be stolen.
“The driver gave an account that the vehicle had been purchased from an address in London, under the belief it was a legitimate sale.
“Further enquiries will be carried out by partner forces.”
The 35-year-old mum said the ordeal has left the family in shock.
She added: "While Gary was on the test drive he told the man that our son was autistic and that the car would be much more suitable; it takes a special kind of person to do this to a family.
"Everything seemed legit; we feel like we've had the wool pulled over our eyes.
"I have asked the police the likelihood of someone being convicted in these circumstances and they said it's a very slim chance.
"We're still in shock; we don't know whether to shake his hand or slap him."
The situation comes after Alexandra was diagnosed with two chronic illnesses, and amid a battle to receive a placement at a suitable school for Henry.
Gary and Alexandra want to raise awareness to 'how easy it is' to unknowingly purchase a stolen vehicle.
Alexandra said: "It's always your average Joe that these things happen to.
"We literally went to their house to collect the car; you just don't expect this to happen.
"We want to make people aware of how easy it is to find yourself in this awful position."
Now without a car, the family has launched a go fund me page, and are hoping to raise any amount of money to assist with purchasing another vehicle.
For more information and to donate, visit gofund.me
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