Warning: distressing content
CCTV footage has been released by police showing the devastating moment a woman was kidnapped in a van before sustaining life-changing injuries.
Angel Lynn, 19, was found by police lying on the A6 near Loughborough, after she fell from the van she was bundled into by her boyfriend just minutes earlier.
Footage shows the moment Chay Bowskill, 20, kidnapped Angel in the silver van in Mountsorrel on 17th September 2020.
Police hope it will help to raise awareness of coercive and controlling behaviour.
Shortly after Angel was kidnapped, she fell from the van, which was travelling at 60mph. Angel suffered a fractured skull and severe brain injuries, and is unable to walk or talk.
This week, Bowskill as well as his friend Rocco Sansome, 20 - who was also in the vehicle - were both sentenced. Bowskill was sentenced to a total of seven-and-a-half years in prison, while Sansome was sentenced to 21 months in prison.
Bowskill was also convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour and perverting the course of justice, but was found not guilty of a charge of grievous bodily harm.
Detective Chief Inspector Tony Yarwood from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime team was the senior investigating officer on the case.
He 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. I can only hope that in time her family can find some comfort knowing justice has been done.”
In a statement, Angel's father Paddy, 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.
“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.
“We’d like to thank all the officers involved in the investigation, our family liaison officers and our barrister, Mr Janes for their support throughout the last 16 months. They have all worked so hard and their dedication to Angel’s case has been remarkable.”
If you have been affected by this article, you can find help, support and advice at Women's Aid.
Featured Image Credit: Leicestershire PoliceTopics: News
Lucy Devine