A DISABLED Barry resident has been left "distraught" after the theft of her mobility scooter.

Julie Eaton, 57, says that without her scooter she is "near enough housebound".

And - in a bizarre turn of events - the former manager of Barry Butlins claims that ransom demands have been made of her if she wants it back.

The Lennox Green, Cardiff Road, resident said she parked her £1,700 scooter outside her daughter's house on Burns Crescent around 9pm on Wednesday July 13.

But "within minutes" the scooter was gone, and Ms Eaton says after she says received two anonymous phone calls, in the days after, demanding first pay £100 and then a further £200 for the stolen scooter.

The events have been all the more distressing for Ms Eaton, who also sufferers from anxiety and osteoarthritis, as July 13 marks the anniversary of her son's death, 19 years ago.

The red and black coloured mobility scooter is of critical importance for Ms Eaton to be able to carry out daily tasks, she added.

She said she can walk a limited amount of distance but with considerable pain.

"I haven't slept since the theft," she said. "It's making me ill.

"I lost my son - 19 years ago. I'm upset over that, but this has made me feel even worse.

"Without my mobility scooter I am nothing - it is my life line.

"I need my mobility scooter to get me out and about. I'm near enough housebound now. I can only walk 50 yards, before I suffer massive amounts of pain in my lower body."

Ms Eaton is now offering a reward for any information which leads to a successful prosecution.

The stolen mobility scooter is a red and black coloured Neo Electric 468 range. The make is Drive Medical.

South Wales Police have confirmed that they are investigating the claims and have asked for anyone who holds any information to contact them quoting reference number 263329, or contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.