Death driver's sentence reduced

A disqualified driver who crashed into a tree, killing a friend and causing injuries to three other teenagers, has had his sentencecut .

Tyler Arron Rooney, 17, of Nottingham, was sentenced to seven years detention in September.

He had pleaded guilty to causing the death of Mervin "Junior" Gaye, 17, from Sherwood, by dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

London's Criminal Appeal Court on Wednesday ruled Rooney's sentence was too long and cut it to five years.

Mr Justice Leveson acknowledged it had been a "disgraceful piece of driving", but said the sentencing judge might "understandably" have been affected by the extent of the carnage.

He said the judge failed to give sufficient weight to Rooney's mitigation, his guilty plea, genuine remorse and in particular his young age.

He said the offence was not aggravated by the use of alcohol or drugs.