Angel takes first steps after horrific incident

PARENTS HOPE STORY WILL HELP PREVENT MORE VICTIMS OF COERCIVE BEHAVIOUR

ANGEL Lynn, the county teenager who suffered catastrophic brain injuries after a kidnap by her controlling ex-boyfriend ended in tragedy, has been able to stand for the first time since the attack, her mother has revealed.

Angel, now 22, was left needing round-the-clock care after being found on the carriageway of the A6 near Loughborough in September 2020.

Her former boyfriend, Chay Bowskill, is serving a 12-year jail term for kidnap, coercive and controlling behaviour, and perverting the course of justice after grabbing her off the street and forcing her into a Transit van, driven by his accomplice Rocco Sansome, of Birstall.

Bowskill claimed Angel had fallen or jumped from the van as it travelled at 60mph down the A6, but her mother Nikki believes that she was pushed.

Angel’s injuries were so severe that doctors feared she would not survive.

However, Nikki told The Sun newspaper she has recently been able to stand and is now communicating more.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, she said: “She’s doing really good, actually, with the moving. The physios are amazing, they are really good.

“She gets a bit moody sometimes when she’s being bent around but yeah, it’s doing her the world of good.”

Her father Patrick confirmed that she is even beginning to take some steps and has had an operation to straighten her left foot.

The family, speaking ahead of the recent Channel 4 documentary about the case, are looking to raise awareness of the dangers of coercive control by abusive partners.

Nikki, pictured with Angel, said: “We’re just absolutely devastated that we didn’t spot it. Because we wouldn’t be here today had we spotted it earlier.”

She went on: “It can happen to anyone. It doesn’t matter how strong you are. It can happen to men and women.

“We’ve had to do this because this is how we tell other people about being coerced and how easy it is, even if you’re strong-minded, that it can happen to you and to just get out of it, because I wouldn’t want anyone else to go through what we’ve been through.

“I just don’t want it to happen to anyone else. Our whole family has been devastated.”

Her mum and dad and five siblings are hoping Angel will be able to move from a rehabilitation centre back to the family home once building work has been completed to make it suitable for her needs.

Nikki is also doing the Great North Run to raise money for the air ambulance team that treated her daughter.

Angel’s cousin has set up a GoFundMe page to support her recovery.

Kidnapped: The Angel Lynn Story which was broadcast on Channel 4 recently, is now available for streaming.