The mother of a teenager killed during a “road race” has said the sentencing of another youngster involved in the fatal crash is “too lenient”.

Heather Lutchman has spoken out following the sentencing of Billingshurst teenager Brett Hewson for his part in the death of her 19-year-old son Asa Caudill in July last year.

Hewson was convicted of dangerous driving for his role in the fatal crash in A264 Five Oaks Road near Slinfold and banned from driving for a year and fined £250 on Friday at Lewes Crown Court.

Asa’s mother said she deserved an explanation for her son’s death and while she was disappointed with the severity of the sentence, she “respected” the jury’s decision.

Asa, from Billingshurst, was a passenger in a Peugeot 206 driven by his friend William Richardson which left the road while taking a 40mph corner at 70mph and crashing into a tree on July 5 last year killing them both.

Two other passengers in the Peugeot, an 18-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl, were also injured.

Hewson, of Coombe Hill in Billingshurst, was driving an Opel Astra which had left Billingshurst together with the Peugeot at excessive speed along the A29 and A264 towards Slindon.

The court was told that the two vehicles appeared to be racing each other, carrying out dangerous overtaking manoeuvres which almost led to a head-on collision before the crash.

Nineteen-year-old Hewson was acquitted of the more serious charge of death by dangerous driving which carries a 14-year maximum sentence.

Ms Lutchman said: "We respect the jury’s decision at the verdict but feel the sentence given was too lenient for dangerous driving.

“The court found Hewson wasn't responsible for Asa's death but it was only luck that he didn't kill himself, his occupants or kill another because of his driving that evening.

“Hewson and Richardson had a choice, Asa did not, Asa is the victim and I deserve an explanation for his death.”

She said her family were in the “most agonising pain” at losing Asa and his death had left “a huge hole” in her life.