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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How did this man only get 7 years for kidnapping his ex-girlfriend who will never recover from her injuries?

87 replies

JackieWeaverHandforthCouncil · 27/01/2022 08:22

news.sky.com/story/amp/angel-lynn-shocking-video-shows-moment-teenager-is-kidnapped-by-controlling-boyfriend-before-falling-out-of-van-on-a6-near-loughborough-12526260

She’d left him as he was controlling her so he kidnapped her off the street and she fell out of the van.

Surely kidnap alone is a life sentence?

OP posts:
notacooldad · 27/01/2022 08:24

He got 7 years because we have a ridiculously lenient judicial system that at times seems to favour the criminal rather than the victim.

Teenagequeenwithaloadedgun · 27/01/2022 08:27

I first read about this yesterday and couldn't believe the light sentencing. The victim still can't walk, talk or eat independently and 7 years is completely inadequate Sad

Exdonkeylover · 27/01/2022 08:29

Maximum sentence is 12 years, so some of that depends on what the intent was of why they kidnapped her. Jury might have said that he wasn't fully responsible for her injuries because they didn't throw her out the van. However, they should have been held responsible as if she wasn't kidnapped, she wouldn't have received them. It's not unreasonable to try to escape if kidnapped so her actions have to be seen as normal.

Sunshineandrainbow · 27/01/2022 08:30

That's so sad.

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 27/01/2022 08:31

He has wriggled out of it by claiming she jumped out of the van. Because she can't give her version of events, the clever lawyers have got him a minimal conviction and sentence.

picklemewalnuts · 27/01/2022 08:32

I'm guessing because he didn't intend for her to be so terribly injured.

Terrible, terrible case.

She was so helpless as he picked her up and caries her off Sad

picklemewalnuts · 27/01/2022 08:33

Correction, prosecution couldn't prove he intended her to be hurt.

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 27/01/2022 08:33

@Exdonkeylover

Maximum sentence is 12 years, so some of that depends on what the intent was of why they kidnapped her. Jury might have said that he wasn't fully responsible for her injuries because they didn't throw her out the van. However, they should have been held responsible as if she wasn't kidnapped, she wouldn't have received them. It's not unreasonable to try to escape if kidnapped so her actions have to be seen as normal.
We only have the perpetrator's word that she tried to jump out of the van. Another version of events say he pushed her out of a moving van.
PlsTryAnother · 27/01/2022 08:34

Just seem this on the news. I feel so angry! What does it matter how she came to leave the vehicle - she shouldn't have been in it in the first place! Of course hes responsible and of course he's culpable. Disgusted with our legal system. Ive just read that her family say her being alive "is a technicality". She needs 24 hour care, and can't walk , talk or feed herself. She's 19 ffs. And he'll be out in a few years to do that to someone else. AngryAngryAngry

girlmom21 · 27/01/2022 08:34

We only have the perpetrator's word that she tried to jump out of the van. Another version of events say he pushed her out of a moving van.

If they can't prove it they can't sentence him for it.

DePfeffoff · 27/01/2022 08:46

We only have the perpetrator's word that she tried to jump out of the van. Another version of events say he pushed her out of a moving van.

But obviously there wasn't enough evidence of that, otherwise he would have been charged with murder. On the face of it it's a bit unlikely - you would expect a controlling, coercive man to kidnap someone to retain control of them, not to let them go even if it was in dangerous circumstances.

Hshuznw · 27/01/2022 08:52

As much as people want to blame the courts being lenient, it’s not that. The prosecution needs to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that he did it and deliberately so, as intention matters too, not just the act. If they couldn’t prove that, then kidnapping was all they had to go on.

I agree it’s absolutely shocking he’s essentially got away with destroying her life, but there wasn’t enough for a prosecution.

SueSaid · 27/01/2022 08:54

God that clip, broad daylight and someone even driving past. What a horrific case.

SportsMother · 27/01/2022 09:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WidgetyWoo · 27/01/2022 09:00

Surely she jumped out of the van because her life was in danger if she stayed in it? It is not a choice someone would make, from a survival viewpoint, if they had any other.

It is unspeakably sad. I understand why attempted murder couldn’t be proved but I don’t understand why they didn’t get even the maximum sentence for kidnap.

One only got 21 months and will be out in half of that. What message does that send to men who feel like snatching women off the street?

NigellaAwesome · 27/01/2022 09:13

ShockSad just shocking

DdraigGoch · 27/01/2022 09:15

@Hshuznw

As much as people want to blame the courts being lenient, it’s not that. The prosecution needs to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that he did it and deliberately so, as intention matters too, not just the act. If they couldn’t prove that, then kidnapping was all they had to go on.

I agree it’s absolutely shocking he’s essentially got away with destroying her life, but there wasn’t enough for a prosecution.

It's very much a scenario that the law hasn't provided for. If he had not taken the actions he did, she would never have been in the van to fall/jump/be pushed out of. His actions were responsible for what happened to her but he essentially got a light sentence because of a technicality.

Then there's the injustice which is early release, he'll likely be out in less than four years. Four years for kidnap is a pitiful sentence. Sentencing guidelines for all crimes are far too soft.

RightOnTheEdge · 27/01/2022 09:16

That's absolutely terrible SadSad

Soubriquet · 27/01/2022 09:16

I bet he pushed her as revenge for leaving him but there’s no proof either way.

It’s his word vs hers and she can’t give her side of the statement

Ponoka7 · 27/01/2022 09:20

Considering prisoners serve only half their sentence and then sometimes get time knocked off because of overcrowding, good behaviour etc, in reality he could serve three years.
Tbh, I've seen worse sentences. Lately if there's a good chance of rehabilitation, there's been short custodial sentences given, if at all.

DdraigGoch · 27/01/2022 09:20

All the sentences should be served consecutively in this case.

Which reminds me of my other pet hate about sentencing: why are concurrent sentences even a possibility? What is the point?

DePfeffoff · 27/01/2022 09:22

Do we know if he had any previous convictions? If he didn't, I suppose that would be a factor.

It is indeed worrying that he could be out in 3/4 years - he will still be a very dangerous man.

Santahasjoinedww · 27/01/2022 09:22

Hopefully no woman will step anywhere near him for the rest of his life.

Gingernaut · 27/01/2022 09:24

@SportMother But what the fuck did he intend to do once they had reached whatever the destination was?

All the sentences should be served consecutively in this case

This.

Kidnapping cases like this rarely end without the victim being raped, severely injured and/or killed.

The sentences are a joke.

femfemlicious · 27/01/2022 09:25

Gosh this is so very sadSadSadSad. How evil do you have to be to do something like this. How can he live with himself after this😭. There are such evil wicked beings in this world.