A GREAT-grandfather told how his car was towed away after his insurance details failed to show up on a police computer. Retired Colwyn Bay businessman Gordon Osbourn watched in horror as the F-reg Nissan was loaded on a trailer and taken to a pound three miles away. The 77-year-old said he was so flustered when questioned by traffic cops on Llandudno prom he mistakenly gave police the name of his previous insurance company. And to make matters worse wife Sylvia, 71, could not find the policy in time. Mr Osbourn, who served in Palestine during army national service, said: "I was so stressed I could have had a heart attack. "This should serve as a warning, both to the police and to motorists, that computers aren't always right. "It's worrying that you can have your car taken away when you've done nothing wrong." The pensioner, of Dinerth Road, bought his insurance six months ago from the Post Office. A Post Office official said last night: "I haven't come across a case like this before and we insure many thousands of motorists. "I don't know how it could have occurred because we always supply the details of our policyholders to police." Mrs Osbourn told how they took the Post Office insurance document to Llandudno police station. But when they arrived at the pound they were asked to pay £105 to release the car. "That's when I got really cross," said Mr Osbourn.. "When I phoned the police station the same woman who'd approved my documents there said she couldn't do anything because the computer still stated I was uninsured. "I couldn't believe what I was being told. But eventually after half an hour the police relented, and said they would pay the £105 to release my car. That's £105 that has been wast-ed." A North Wales police spokeswoman said the onus was on insurance companies to provide the information. And she insisted the officer involved did not rely totally on the Police National Computer check also contacting the insurance company named by Mr Osbourn and checking the incorrect documents taken to the scene by his wife. She said there was nothing to confirm Mr Osbourn was insured. The spokeswoman added: "Uninsured drivers are a major problem and Mr Osbourn's vehicle was lawfully seized. "It is the responsibility of the insurance companies to update the PNC which is why other checks are also routinely made. " It was only after Mr Osbourn was given every chance to prove he had insurance and to produce valid documents at the roadside that his vehicle was seized. "On production of valid documents his vehicle was released and recovery paid for out of public funds." British Association of Drivers spokesman Mark McArthur-Christie said: "This is a classic case of what happens when you rely on computers." | 
