THE mum of a young Flintshire man who was struck down and killed in a collision has thanked her former community for helping her to get through her grief.

The Leader reported in September last year on the anger of Greenfield mum Vicky Simpson - whose 18-year-old son Liam had been struck down and killed by an unlicensed and uninsured driver five years prior.

Miss Simpson's fury had been stoked by the news that her son's killer Daniel Beck, who was 29 and of Y Gerddi, Maes Pennant, Mostyn at the time of the incident, was to be released from prison on licence before Christmas in 2022.

She has since made the decision to leave North Wales and said she is happily settled elsewhere in the UK with her family, where they are finding peace.

"We left last month,"  42-year-old Miss Simpson told the Leader.

"After what we've been through, with losing Liam, moving was the best thing to do for my sanity.

"Following everything that happened, it was never going to be the right place for me to stay.

The Leader: Liam SimpsonLiam Simpson (Image: Simon Warburton)

"The final straw was Beck being released.

"But now I'm here, I am much happier and settled.

"I'm still faced with the loss of Liam every day, but I don't have the worry of bumping into him (Beck) or anyone else who was involved."

The fatal incident happened on Well Hill in Holywell, which Miss Simpson said she had to drive up and down frequently and found difficult.

Miss Simpson added that she wished to thank her community in Flintshire for helping her to get through the difficult years following Liam's death.

She explained: "The people of Holywell are amazing.

"Everyone was just so lovely and kind and caring; I never felt anything but love from everyone.

"And Holywell Football Club was amazing with us as well.

"I will be forever grateful to everyone."