A RADCLIFFE businessman whose dangerous driving caused the death of two people has won a cut in his three-and-a-half-year jail term at London's Criminal Appeal Court.

David Masterson, of Old Turks Lane, was convicted after his overtaking manoeuvre resulted in him crashing into the car of 66-year-old Joyce Crossley, the court was told.

Masterson's work colleague Neil Turner, 32, a passenger in his car, was also killed and Masterson was convicted of two charges of causing death by dangerous driving at Bolton Crown Court in March this year.

Three Appeal Court judges yesterday cut Masterson's sentence to three years.

Mr Justice Penry-Davey, sitting with Lord Justice Mance and the Judge Advocate General, Judge James Rant, said Masterson had been driving a "powerful" TVR sports car from Bury to Bolton with a work colleague in June, 1998.

He said: "It is clear that the car's speed was substantially in excess of the limit for that section of carriageway."

Masterson attempted to overtake a car and Transit van but lost control and the car started to "snake down the wrong side of the road".

His car then collided into Joyce Crossley's vehicle.

Masterson said he was unable to remember anything about the crash when he was interviewed about it.

The judge said the crash had had "adverse effects" on his marriage, personal life and computer business which he ran at that time.

He said the sentencing judge had "correctly identified" the aggravating features of the case.

But the 42-month sentence was nevertheless "too long" in the light of sentencing guidelines.