Chay Bowskill, hailing from Syston, Leicestershire, is a 20-year-old. Kathy Norris, his mother, shared with The Sun that Bowskill had experienced two prior stints in prison before his third incarceration. In January 2022, Bowskill faced a conviction for the 2020 kidnapping of his ex-girlfriend, Angel Lynn. Additionally, he was found guilty of engaging in coercive and controlling behavior and perverting the course of justice, though he was acquitted of the charge of causing grievous bodily harm.
The kidnapping incident tragically concluded with Angel suffering life-altering injuries when she fell from the moving van. Prior to this, it came to light that Chay had been associated with a gang involved in home burglaries and the theft of high-end vehicles. It was alleged that this gang had carried out burglaries in 41 homes spanning Loughborough and Leicester, as well as in various towns and villages throughout the county and the broader region.
How long has Chay Bowskill been jailed for?
On Monday, January 24, 2022, Bowskill received a sentence totaling seven and a half years in prison, of which he would serve half, equivalent to three years and nine months, behind bars. Considering the time he had already spent in custody on remand, he became eligible for release in June 2024.
Angel’s family expressed their outrage over Bowskill’s two-year sentence for the kidnapping, especially considering that the offense carried a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. They intended to request a review of the kidnapping sentence, deeming it “unduly lenient.”
Following a formal complaint, the Court of Appeals judges revisited the sentencing, ultimately increasing his sentence to 12 years.
It’s worth noting that, despite the potential for a life sentence, kidnapping currently lacks specific sentencing guidelines, a factor the family believed worked to Bowskill’s advantage.
In a surprising twist, Bowskill’s mother defended her son, stating, “My son is not a bad person, but he’s not a saint.” She also mentioned that Chay had initially indicated he was done with Angel but changed his mind, resulting in him picking her up and returning her to the van.
What happened between Chay Bowskill and Angel Lynn?
On September 27, 2020, a tragic incident unfolded as Angel was discovered lying in the A6 carriageway near Loughborough, suffering catastrophic injuries, including a fractured skull and significant brain trauma. These injuries left her unable to walk, speak, or care for herself.
At the time, her then-boyfriend, Bowskill, and his friend Rocco Sansome, both aged 20, denied any involvement in her kidnapping. However, following a trial on January 27, 2022, they were found guilty.
During the trial, jurors were shown CCTV footage capturing the distressing moment when Bowskill pursued Angel after an argument. The footage depicted him grabbing her from behind, lifting her, and returning her to the van. Tragically, as the van traveled at 60mph, Angel fell from it at approximately 10:45 am, only to be discovered by a concerned passerby.
Prompt medical response took Angel to the hospital, but despite intensive care, she was left with life-changing disabilities. Her family revealed that she lost the ability to communicate, walk, or care for herself, necessitating round-the-clock assistance.
There is some positive news, however, as Angel has made progress since the harrowing incident in 2020. Her parents appeared on BBC Breakfast in May 2023, providing an update on her recovery. Mrs. Lynn shared, “She’s doing really well. She can write, take small sips of drink, and her physiotherapists have begun standing her up. They are doing an excellent job, although she can get a bit moody during the process, it’s proving beneficial, and she’s gradually improving.”