THE outraged families of two road accident victims have hit out after a lorry driver who caused their deaths left court with a £450 fine.

Paul Simpson, 30, was convicted of careless driving yesterday after admitting responsibility for the crash on the A19, near Peterlee, last July.

Hartlepool friends Mary Waugh, 70, of Moyne Gardens, and Patricia Packham, 53 of Warren Court, died of multiple injuries when a lorry driven by Mr Simpson crashed into their cars.

They were on their way to a bowls tournament in Sunderland when Mrs Waugh, known as Mae, is believed to have stopped her car to check the tyres.

Mrs Packham, driving a Ford Granada, pulled in behind her and was going to her assistance when both women were struck by the lorry.

Less than two weeks ago, their families welcomed north Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle's verdict into the deaths as unlawful killing.

But yesterday, at Peterlee Magistrates' Court, Simpson was charged with -and pleaded guilty to - the lesser offence of careless driving. In view of his clean licence and guilty plea, magistrates imposed a £450 fine with seven penalty points and £75 costs. They declared the crash a "tragic accident" caused by "a momentary lapse of concentration".

Later, fighting back tears, Mrs Waugh's younger sister, Nancy Lake, said: "£450 - that is the price of two lives. The coroner thought it was unlawful killing and that's what we'll stick by."

Mrs Packham's sister, Edith Henderson, said: "He didn't even get banned from driving. That was the least we expected."

Looking pale and shaken, Mrs Packham's son, John, said: "I am totally ouraged - is that all my mother's life is worth?"

Mrs Packham's husband, Steven, said he hoped Simpson rotted in hell