Angel Lynn's family hopeful for future as they see 'light coming back in her eyes'
'You can see the light coming back into her eyes', Angel Lynn's aunt Jackie tells ITV Central
The family of Angel Lynn from Leicestershire who was kidnapped and left with life-changing injuries by her then-boyfriend have told ITV Central they welcome his longer sentence.
Speaking to ITV Central, Angel's aunt, Jackie Chamberlain said: "We are absolutely elated with the news, we couldn't be any happier, it's exactly what we wanted.
"There was a massive audible gasp in the room when she read out the result, we are literally so elated, we couldn't believe it, we were in tears."
"This is what we wanted."
Her comments come as Bowskill's total sentence was increased to 12 years by senior judges on Wednesday, after the Court of Appeal judges concluded his original term for the kidnap was not long enough.
Chay Bowskill, 20, from Syston in Leicestershire, picked up Angel Lynn and put her back into the van, being driven by his accomplice Rocco Sansome, after she had left it to get away from him in September 2020.
CCTV footage shows shocking moment Chay Bowskill runs after his then-girlfriend Angel Lynn, before grabbing her in a bear hug and carrying her back to the transit van
The 19-year-old was later found lying seriously injured in the carriageway of the A6 near Loughborough and has been left with permanent brain damage which means she will need care for the rest of her life.
When asked by ITV News Central Reporter Rajiv Popat how Angel is, Ms Chamberlain said: "In the last couple of weeks, she has made some very small but significant improvements, ie if you ask her something, she can squeeze your hand.
"Obviously, she cannot walk or talk, she cannot communicate but if you ask her something she can squeeze your hand."
She adds that Angel's mum, "Nikki even said you can see the light coming back into her eyes."
"She looked through you and now she's looking at you," Ms Chamberlain said.
Bowskill was initially jailed for seven-and-a-half years in January after being found guilty of kidnap, coercive and controlling behaviour, and perverting the course of justice, following a trial at Leicester Crown Court.
Sansome, also 20 from Birstall in Leicestershire, was also found guilty of kidnap and sentenced to 21 months in prison.
Ms Chamberlain said Sansome appeared remorseful while on video-link on Wednesday.
Both men had their sentences for the kidnap of Ms Lynn referred to the Court of Appeal by Solicitor General Alex Chalk QC, who argued they were "unduly lenient".
As part of the sentencing review, the jail term handed to Bowskill for kidnapping Angel has gone up from three years three months to 12 years, which he will continue to serve at a Young Offenders' Institution.
Angel suffered catastrophic injuries after leaving the vehicle as it travelled at an estimated speed of up to 60mph on the Loughborough-bound carriageway of the A6.
She remains in hospital and requires round the clock care.