A TEENAGER'S four-year jail sentence for causing the death of an Oxfordshire doctor in a road smash should remain unaltered, according to the Attorney General.

Banbury Conservative MP Tony Baldry wrote to the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, questioning the sentence of Nolan Haworth, 19, of Ribston Close, Banbury. Haworth was sentenced to four years imprisonment at Oxford Crown Court last month after pleading guilty to causing the death of Dr Margaret Davidson by dangerous driving. But the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith has decided not to refer the case to judges at the Court of Appeal to consider whether the sentence was too lenient.

A spokesman for Lord Goldsmith said: "Margaret Davidson was an outstanding young woman who had a promising future ahead of her.

"Nolan Haworth drove in an appalling manner and his actions had the most terrible consequences. He was convicted of causing Margaret's death by dangerous driving but, as the law stands, the Attorney General had to conclude that any reference to the Court of Appeal would fail.

"A sentence may only be referred if after reviewing the facts and circumstances of the case, it meets the legal test of being unduly lenient.

"The Attorney General has concluded that he is unable to refer the case to the Court of Appeal as an unduly lenient sentence."

Lord Goldmsith has written to Margaret's mother to explain his decision and to convey his sympathy, the statement added. He has also offered to meet the family.

Haworth was driving an untaxed Vauxhall at speeds of up to 80mph when he killed Dr Davidson, 26, on the A4260 near Deddington in May.

Dr Davidson worked at the Horton Hospital, Banbury, and was starting out on her medical career when she was killed.

When the victim-impact statement of Dr Davidson's mother, Elizabeth, was read out in court, it reduced Judge Hall to tears, and he was forced to leave the courtroom wiping his eyes.

At the time of the accident, Haworth did not have a driving licence, having previously been banned from driving, had no insurance and was driving a borrowed car.

Eyewitnesses estimated he was driving between 70mph and 80mph. The speed limit on the road is 50mph.

Judge Hall also sentenced him to four months imprisonment for affray - the charge Haworth was driving to court to face when the fatal crash happened - following an attack on two students last September. He was speeding because he was late for court.

Last month, another motorist died on the same road, less than a mile south from where Haworth ploughed head-on into Dr Davidson's car after completing a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre.

Thames Valley Police have declined to comment on the Attorney General's decision not to refer the case to the Court of Appeal.

Mr Baldry said Dr Davidson's family would be disappointed by the decision.

He added: "If you commit an offence of manslaughter you get life imprisonment, but if you drive with total disregard for anyone else on the road (and kill someone) you only get four years.

"The maximum sentence for death by dangerous driving is 14 years and I have asked the Attorney General what other aggravating features you would need in this case to take the sentence from four to 14 years. Part of his response was 'multiple deaths'.

"The inconsistency in sentencing policy is giving the impression that some lives are more important than others."