A Jamaican mother whose two sons fought in the British Army was celebrating last night after learning she is being allowed to stay in the country.

Joy Dean Bowman and her 15-year-old daughter Chena were facing deportation after their appeals for asylum were turned down.

But Mrs Bowman - whose two sons have both served in the Army - yesterday received confirmation from Immigration Minister Liam Byrne that she had been given indefinite leave to stay in the UK.

At her home in Newcastle, last night she said: "I am very happy. I can finally stop worrying and sleep at night again.

"It's been going on such a long time, but now we can look forward to the future."

The 49-year-old fled to Britain in July 2000 to escape a violent husband who threatened to kill her.

She and her daughter - a model student at All Saints College in West Denton - settled in Benwell, Newcastle, joined a local church and soon became part of the community.

Meanwhile, both her sons Leven, 28, and Damien, 24, signed up to serve in the Royal Logistics Corps.

Leven saw action in Iraq, while Damien even featured in a recruiting campaign to encourage more ethnic minorities to join up.

Although as an asylum seeker Mrs Bowman was not allowed to do any paid work, she has been studying for a nursing degree at Sunderland University and carries out volunteer work at the Geoffrey Rhodes Centre in Gosforth.

In October 2003, despite her sons' military service and years of voluntary work in the UK, Mrs Bowman was set to be deported back to Jamaica.

With the support of Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland, Mrs Bowman appealed that her unique circumstances, as well as her ill heath, should enable her to stay in the North-East.

And she has now received the news the family, and their supporters had been waiting for. She said: "We are all so pleased. My daughter can finish her studies and my sons live in London now, but they are very happy. It's a huge relief. I just want to stay in Newcastle and get a job."

Mrs Bowman also thanked The Journal for highlighting the case and the work of Mr Clelland who lobbied the Home Office and appealed to Mr Byrne to look at her individual circumstances.

Mr Clelland said: "I am absolutely delighted for Joy.

"It's been a very worrying time for her and her daughter who is busy taking exams. She has been here for quite some considerable time and both her sons have fought in the services.

"Thankfully all these factors have been taken into account. She can hopefully now enjoy her life here, continue her studies and get a job." The letter from Mr Byrne stated: "Due to the individual circumstances of her case, I can inform you that the decision has been made to grant Mrs Bowman and Chena indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom."

---------------------------------------------------------

Timeline

July 2000: Joy Bowman flees an abusive husband in Jamaica with her three children.

2001: Mrs Bowman's sons Leven and Damien sign up to join the Royal Logistics Corps

2001: Family move to Newcastle

May 2002: Mrs Bowman begins volunteer work at the Geoffrey Rhodes Centre in Gosforth, Newcastle.

2003: Leven is posted to Basra, Iraq, while Damien is featured in a recruiting campaign targeting ethnic minorities

October 2003: The Journal reveals the family has been unsuccessful in their asylum bid

March 11, 2007: Mrs Bowman was told she had 48 hours to leave the country.

March 13, 2007: The family get an 11th hour reprieve after Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland persuades the Home Office to examine her case.

May 16, 2007: The family get the news that Immigration Minister Liam Byrne has granted Joy Bowman and daughter Chena an indefinite stay in the UK.