A DISTRAUGHT mother today spoke of her anger over her son's death after the driver in the crash which killed him escaped with a £145 fine.

Joiner Alan Cawdrey, 19, lost control in Skipton Road, Foulridge, crossed the road and hit a car coming in the opposite direction, on January 13.

His passenger Shane McIntyre, 18, who was not wearing a seat belt, later died from his injuries, Burnley magistrates heard.

Cawdrey fought back tears as the court was told how Shane, a former Colne Park High School pupil, was a good friend of his and he was going to have to live with what happened forever.

A witness to the crash told how the defendant's vehicle "just seemed to float across the road".

Cawdrey, of Carr Road, Colne, who had been driving for about nine months, admitted driving without due care and attention.

He must also pay £65 costs and was given six penalty points.

Today Shane McIntyre's mum Gillian McIntyre, 36, of Burwains Avenue, Foulridge, said she was astonished and angry at the outcome of the court case.

She said: "He was found to be speeding but it just doesn't justify what has happened to us.

"I attended the court and I didn't know what to expect.

"I didn't want him to go to jail but a £145 fine just doesn't make up for losing Shane.

"There should be an alternative somewhere between the two.

"This is just the kind of charge you would get at the scene of any accident. How does it justify someone dying in the crash and five others being injured?

"I didn't feel any better after the court case in fact I felt very angry.

"When something like this happens you get a file of information about bereavement from the police and one section says: Do you want to campaign for changes in the law?

"Its only when you have been through something like this you realise what can happen.

"I believe the law does need changing."

Neil Standage, prosecuting, said the accident happened around 5.30pm on a 30 mph, lit stretch of the A56.

Cawdrey was driving from Colne in a Renault when he lost control after a slight right hand bend, crossed into the opposite carriageway and collided broadside with the other car, the court heard.

The other motorist recalled a car sliding towards him and hitting him.

Mr McIntyre was in the front seat of the defendant's car and later died from injuries suffered in the impact, the court was told.

Mr Standage said police investigations put the speed of Cawdrey's car at between 34 and 41 mph.

When he was interviewed, he maintained he had been travelling at no more than 35mph.

Keith Parr, defending, said the defendant could give no precise reason for what went wrong.

He said he had looked at his speedometer before losing control and he was doing less than 35mph.

Cawdrey was not doing a lot over the speed limit and the case did not involve somebody going at a considerably faster speed.

The solicitor said Cawdrey, who now worked in Ilkley, was very upset about what happened and was going to have to live with it.

He accepted the death of his friend would have far-reaching effects on other people.

Mr Parr claimed Mr McIntyre was not wearing a seat belt and went on: "Who knows what might have happened if he had been wearing one?"