Angel Lynn's kidnapper ex-boyfriend will now spend 16 years behind bars: Judges more than DOUBLE sentence of thug who left girlfriend paralysed by bundling her into van before she fell out of moving vehicle

 The ex-boyfriend of a teenager who was left paralysed after she fell out of a moving van that he had forced her into will now spend 16 years in prison after having his sentence more than doubled. 

Angel Lynn, 19, was forced into the van by Chay Bowskill, 20, and his accomplice Rocco Sansome, also 20, in Rothley, Leicestershire, in September 2020 after an argument. Angel then fell out of the vehicle, which was driven by Sansome, at around 10.45am as it travelled at 60mph, before she was found by horrified members of the public.   

In January, Bowskill was handed a seven-and-a-half year sentence after being found guilty of kidnap, coercive and controlling behaviour, and perverting the course of justice, following a trial at Leicester Crown Court.

Sansome, of Birstall, Leicestershire, was also found guilty of kidnap and sentenced to 21 months in prison.

Both men had their sentences referred to the Court of Appeal by Solicitor General Alex Chalk QC, who argued they were 'unduly lenient'. 

Now, the Court of Appeal has more than doubled Bowskill's sentence to 16 years and three months after senior judges concluded his original term for the kidnap was not long enough.  

Angel's mother Nikki had said last month that she was 'disgusted' with the initial term that was handed out.  

The ex-boyfriend of a teenager who was left paralysed after she fell out of a moving van that he had forced her into will now spend 16 years in prison after having his sentence more than doubled. Pictured: Angel Lynn in hospital

Chay Bowskill (pictured) and Sansome both denied kidnap but were found guilty after trial. Bowskill was jailed for seven-and-a-half years while Sansome was sentenced to 21 months in prison

Giving a summary of their decision, Dame Victoria Sharp said: 'We have concluded that the sentence passed on him for the kidnap was unduly lenient.'

She said the original term 'failed to reflect the seriousness of the kidnap' and the harm caused to Ms Lynn as a result.

Members of Ms Lynn's family gasped as the judge told the court of the increased sentence.

Bowskill, who appeared over a video-link from prison wearing a grey sweatshirt, shook his head as he heard the result.The judge said Sansome's sentence 'should have been longer' but that, in all the circumstances, including the fact he is close to being released, the court decided not to alter it.

Harrowing CCTV footage of Angel's kidnap showed Bowskill chasing her across a road after she walked off during an argument.

The video, taken in Mountsorrel, shows Bowskill grabbing Angel from behind and carrying her back across the road before bundling her into a van. 

After Angel fell out, paramedics attended the scene and she was taken to hospital but despite intensive medical intervention, she was left with life-changing injuries. 

Angel Lynn (pictured), 19, suffered life-changing injuries after she fell from a van. She was found injured in the carriageway of the A6 near Loughborough on September 17, 2020

The kidnap happened after Angel, who was originally lawfully driving the van, picked up Bowskill and Sansome, before getting into the argument with Bowskill and walking off.

The court heard that moments before she walked off, Bowskill admitted telling Angel he 'hated' her and never wanted to see her again, Leicestershire Live reported.  

Both men were later arrested.

Bowskill, of Syston, Leicestershire, was also convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour and perverting the course of justice.

He was cleared of causing grievous bodily harm after it became unclear how Angel had left the van.

Shocking CCTV footage (left and right) shows Angel Lynn, 19, being forced into a van by 20-year-old Chay Bowskill, her boyfriend at the timeThe defence claimed that Angel jumped or accidentally fell on to the road, while the prosecution failed to prove that she was pushed or thrown. 

Sansome, of Birstall, Leicestershire, admitted possession of cannabis and driving the van while unfit through cannabis use, according to Leicestershire Live.   

Dame Victoria told the court Bowskill had been in a relationship with Ms Lynn for about a year before the incident, and he behaved in a coercive and controlling manner towards her throughout that time, threatening her with violence on a number of occasions.

The judge said he tried to intimidate his own mother into retracting a statement she gave to police about his behaviour towards Ms Lynn following the kidnap.

In a statement released after the sentencing hearing, Ms Lynn's family said: '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.'

Dame Victoria said Bowskill must serve two thirds of his sentence behind bars before he can be released.

Angel's mother Ms Lynn told Sky News last month or her anger about the leniency of the sentences that were originally handed to Bowskill and Sansome. 

She told Sky News: 'I am disgusted with the sentences. Seeing her like this kills me every day.

'I worry every day about not being here anymore, who is going to look out for her?' 

'She was really bubbly, she loved going out for meals with her friends. She used to take pride in herself, she always looked nice. 

'I miss everything about her, doing things together, running in and out of the house how she does, everything, cheekiness, she's just so funny, so kind. I miss her all together I'm just scared I won't get my Angel back.

'I think she might know me when I try and get her to give me a kiss, if I put my cheek out, she purses her lips but it takes all her energy, it's rare.'