A YOUNG Stow man ahs been jailed for 20 months for his part in a road race that led to the death of a Chipping Norton woman.

John Arthur, 25, of King Gorge's Field, appeared in Gloucester Crown Court for sentencing last Friday after being convicted of dangerous driving at a previous hearing. He had initially been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, a charge he denied.

The court heard how Arthur and Kathy Foster, aged 27, of Chipping Norton, had raced each other through the Cotswolds from Bledington to Stow and back on August 19 1998. Miss Foster's Vauxhall Cavalier car left the A436 near Stow during the return race and crashed into a field. She died of her injuries in Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, five days later.

During the trial a jury heard how the two cars had raced bumper to bumper along the roads, causing other motorists to swerve out of the way.

At last Friday's hearing Miss Foster's father, Andrew, hurled abuse at Arthur's family and friends who were in court and a police officer had to be called in to the public gallery to calm the atmosphere.

Sentencing Arthur, who already has a conviction for dangerous driving, Recorder Nigel Seed QC said he felt Arthur showed little remorse for what he did, believing the crash was Miss Foster's fault.

He said: "It is hard to imagine a more serious case of dangerous driving. You were a serious danger to other road users and put your passengers and yourself in danger.

"You were lucky you weren't seriously injured or killed and there are people in this court who are upset at that. You do not understand what a risk you are.

"This is a very distressing case and the mitigating factors are few.

"The maximum sentence you can receive is two years. The credit I can give you is one sixth and I, therefore, sentence you to 20 months."

The maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is eight years in prison and Mr Foster was highly critical of the legal system after that case collapsed.