A TEENAGER whose aggressive driving caused the death of a friend when his car spun off the road during a race has failed to reduce his sentence at London's Appeal Court.

David Fogg, aged 19, was jailed for four years at Bolton Crown Court after a jury convicted him of causing the death of 18-year-old passenger Andrew Whitby by dangerous driving.

Fogg appealed against sentence on grounds that the punishment took insufficient account of his youth and the deep remorse he had shown.

But Lord Justice Hooper dismissed his appeal, saying the sentence "could not be described as manifestly excessive".

The judge -- sitting with Mr Justice Forbes and Mr Justice Hunt -- said the tragedy happened in October, 2002, after Fogg spent the day with friends, including a cinema trip, a pub visit, and a meal.

The group then decided to "go for a drive together" in two cars.

But as the cars jockeyed for position in Bradshaw Road, Bolton, Fogg, of Lowercroft Road, Bury, overtook the car ahead of him near a bend at Bradshaw Brow, Bolton, at speeds of 74mph in a 60mph speed zone.

He lost control, the car spun off the road and turned on to its roof. Mr Whitby, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the car. Fogg lost three fingers on his right hand in the crash.

The trial judge had said there were elements of "showing off" and "racing" behind the accident.