A CLITHEROE sailor who caused the death of a navy friend in a car crash is at the centre of a legal row after walking free from court.

But a question mark now hangs over Anthony John Caine's future in the navy, after he admitted causing death by dangerous driving at Taunton Crown Court.

Crown prosecution solicitors are considering an appeal against his sentence and the dead man's family have reacted angrily to the sentence, calling on the authorities to take action.

Caine, 22, was the driver of a Citroen car that collided with another car at a notorious accident blackspot at Vagg Hill crossroads in Yeovil, Somerset, last February.

Passenger David Robert Hale, 24, also a seaman, of Tarranto Hill, Illchester, died shortly after the accident.

Caine used to live at Bowland House, next to the former family home -- Lowland's House, Newton, near Clitheroe. His family have since moved to Montague Street, Clitheroe.

Caine, whose address was given at Taunton Crown Court as Brunel Way, Frome, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

He received a £750 fine, 100 hours community service, was banned from driving for five years and ordered to retake his test.

The dead man's brother Mike Hale, of Green Heys Road, Wallasey, said: "We are shocked by the judgement. We are not really in a position to comment, as we believe the police are going to challenge it, and we will be pressurising them to do that."

A spokesman for the Avon and Somerset Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that an appeal against the sentence was being considered.

"We are looking into the matter and will an appeal will be considered, but can't comment further at this stage."

Caine is still in service as an engineering mechanic at Royal Navy Air Station Yeovilton, although a question mark now hangs over his career.

A spokesman at the base said: "The navy takes a serious view of anyone convicted of a serious offence and, in common with other employers, reserves the right to review employment. We will be considering all the facts and taking what ever action is necessary when he returns to his unit."

The dead man, a talented footballer, who had played for Tranmere Rovers and Chester City, was described by navy bosses as popular and promising.

He had been married for 12 weeks and wife Sarah learned of his death after a police officer answered her husband's mobile phone at the crash scene.