A MUM-OF-TWO who had her car stolen before Christmas believes that she's been made a victim twice – first by the thief and then by the police.

Aleksandra Cielesz's family car was pinched overnight in November last year. The 36-year-old reported the red Vauxhall Astra's theft, but heard nothing from the police until two weeks ago when they phoned to say they'd finally found the vehicle.

Aleksandra believed that she would get the motor back once the forensic officers had examined the car, but was shocked to receive a letter at the weekend from 911 Rescue and Recovery stating that she'd have to pay £356 to get the stolen property back. An extra £20 will also be added to the bill each day until Aleksandra reclaims the motor from the Polmadie yard – and if she doesn't, the car will be put up for police auction.

Aleksandra told the Evening Times that the situation was upsetting.

She said: "The car was stolen – it wasn't our fault and we didn't ask for the recovery service.

"I cannot afford to buy it out, I'll have to leave it.

"I'm working hard and so is my partner. We're paying our taxes. It just isn't fair.

"I phoned the police and she was all very nice, all nicey nicey.

"She came back to me and said 'we're not charging you anything, it's the recovery'.

"But if I was told the car had to be recovered from the road, I would have called the AA and it would have cost me £50, not £300."

Aleksandra and her partner, Jonathan Mulholland, 37, bought a replacement car after the Astra was nicked but it was expensive to put on the road.

Aleksandra noted: "It cost £1,000 that we didn't have spare. It affected Christmas for the kids – and if we get this car back it'll affect our Easter."

The couple, from Brockburn Road, have a nine-year-old son and 10-month-old daughter. They bought the new car to get to and from work and to transport the children around.

Aleksandra, who is a senior support worker at a care home, added: "We need a car, especially when you've got a wee baby in the winter."

The family decided not to claim insurance against the stolen vehicle as they would have had to pay an excess of £400 on a motor worth £500. In addition they would also have lost their no-claims bonus.

Aleksandra added: "There was no point even going there."

The Pollok mum has seen the stolen motor and noted that it must have been "ridden about by an idiot" as its right wing mirror is broken.

She added: "It's like we're the victim twice – first the theft, now the police.

"We know we can't afford to buy it out and we can't pay by instalments.

"I'm fed up of being mistreated.

"They didn't even give me a chance – the police ordered the service and now we're having to pay."