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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Josh Payne

‘Lenient’ sentence of kidnapper who bundled girlfriend into van to be reviewed

The prison sentence handed to a kidnapper who bundled his girlfriend into a van before she was found seriously injured will be reviewed to see if it was “unduly lenient”.

The Attorney General said they have received a request for the seven-and-a-half year jail term given to Chay Bowskill to be considered under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

Angel Lynn, 19, was found lying seriously injured in the carriageway of the A6 near Loughborough at around 10.45am on September 17 2020, Leicestershire Police said.

Chay Bowskill was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison after being convicted of kidnap (Leicestershire Police/PA)

Bowskill, 20, of Syston, Leicestershire was convicted of kidnap, coercive and controlling behaviour, and perverting the course of justice following a trial at Leicester Crown Court.

He was found not guilty of a causing grievous bodily harm.

A second man, Rocco Sansome, 20, of Birstall, Leicestershire, was also found guilty of kidnap.

He was sentenced to 21 months in prison.

Horrific video footage showed the moment Ms Lynn was forcibly picked up by Bowskill and taken into a silver Transit van, which was driven off at pace by Sansome.

Police said Ms Lynn exited the vehicle at some point in the journey and she now requires “round the clock care” due to the injuries she suffered.

In a statement confirming the sentence would be reviewed, a spokeswoman for the Attorney General’s office said: “We have received a request for this sentence to be considered under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

“The Law Officers have 28 days from sentencing to consider the case and make a decision.”

In a statement released after the sentencing hearing, Ms Lynn’s family said: “Our lives have been changed beyond recognition forever.

“Angel was so full of life and had such a great future ahead of her. That future has sadly been taken away from her.

“The catastrophic injuries Angel suffered will mean life will never be the same for her or our family.

“Every day is not only a huge struggle for Angel but also a huge struggle for our family and friends.

“We are lucky in some ways as we are a close family, we have lots of lovely friends who help us and people that care in other ways.”

The statement continued: “We try to remain strong but we know that every day will be difficult and a struggle for us all especially for Angel.

“I know that Angel will never get married now and I will never get to walk my daughter down the aisle.

“Nikki and I will never be grandparents to Angel’s children.

“We don’t know what the future holds for our daughter but we try to put smiles on our faces each day but inside our hearts are bleeding out.”

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Yarwood, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime team, said: “Angel is a young woman who had plans and aspirations in place and the rest of her life to look forward to. Because of the extent of her injuries she now faces constant medical treatment and round the clock care.

“Her family remain devastated by what has happened and I praise the strength and bravery they have shown and continue to demonstrate to this day.

“No verdict or subsequent sentence can make up for the quality of life this young woman has lost.”

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