A former BBC violinist who caused a car crash in which a motorist was killed has won a cut in her four-year jail sentence.

Sarah Rebecca Shorrock, 32, was jailed last year after admitting causing the death of Martin Pearce, of Littlehampton, by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Shorrock, of London, was over the alcohol limit when her car careered on to the wrong side of the road and smashed into an oncoming vehicle.

Mr Pearce, 20, an apprentice boat builder, of Kent Road, was killed.

His father Michael expressed his anger at yesterday's Appeal Court decision to cut Shorrock's sentence from four years to three.

She admitted causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol at Chichester Crown Court last August.

Two judges allowed her appeal after hearing how Shorrock had been bullied in jail because other prisoners wrongly thought she was a child killer.

Mr Justice Hidden, sitting with Judge Anne Goddard QC, said the accident happened on the A29 in West Sussex in November, 1998.

Another driver, not involved in the accident, became concerned about Shorrock's driving. He tried to overtake her but she pulled across his path.

The judge added: "She then accelerated away from him but appeared to have difficulty negotiating bends.

"She went on to the wrong side of the road and then failed to negotiate a bend. She hit an oncoming car.

"The victim was trapped. He was taken to hospital where he died from multiple injuries."

The judge said: "Shorrock attempted to commit suicide while on tour with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. The pursuit of musical excellence has left her with psychological problems.

"Her work as a violinist had been affected by injuries to her hand. She was considered to be a caring person who was greatly affected by the accident."

The judge said there would have been no question of interfering with the sentence but for Shorrock's psychological problems.

Mr Justice Hidden told the court: "We are particularly conscious of the effect that the death of this young man has had on family and friends."

Martin Pearce had lived at the family home with his father, mother Daphne, 48, and brothers Andrew, 16, and Matthew, 13.

Mr Pearce said: "It would seem that Shorrock's mental health was of more consequence than my son's life."

Mrs Pearce broke down when she heard the jail term had been cut. She said: "We are very upset about the outcome of all this.

"We feel absolutely devastated the CPS has not supported us in any way at all.

"We were hoping someone was going to stand up for us but when it came to it we spent an hour-and-a-half in court listening to her barrister and when it came to our turn our barrister stood up and said no comment. We couldn't believe it.

"We have had no support from the CPS but our friends and family have been superb."

Mrs Pearce said: "Her sentence should have been ten years but she was given four and now it has been reduced to three years for killing my son.

"Her barrister said her mental state was suffering in prison but she was in a suicidal state before the accident.

"We have been left feeling like we are the criminals rather than her. It's just devastating."