THE sentence given to a vicious wife-beater who controversially walked free from court cannot be reviewed by prosecutors, it was revealed last night (Wednesday, September 24).

Charges faced by Anthony Bruce do not fall within a schedule of offences that can be referred to the Court of Appeal on the grounds of leniency.

The news comes as a second blow after outrage greeted the suspended prison sentence imposed on Bruce, from County Durham, at Teesside Crown Court.

Bruce was spared prison despite biting and throttling his wife before holding a knife to her throat and shooting her during a terrifying attack.

Days before he was due to appear in court on an assault charge, the 34-year-old called the mother-of-two and warned: "Drop the charges or I'll torch . . ."

As The Northern Echo revealed yesterday, Bruce was given a 12-month jail term, suspended for 12 months, with supervision and alcohol treatment.

Domestic violence campaigners and the victim's angry family branded the punishment "astonishing and outrageous" - and called for it to be challenged.

Bruce, of Greta Street North, Pelton, Chester-le-Street, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intimidation as he was due to go on trial.

Two charges of making threats to kill, which he also faced, were ordered to lie on file after legal discussions led to his last-minute guilty pleas.

The Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement last night: "There is limited provision made within law for prosecutors to challenge a sentence which they believe to be an unduly lenient.

"However, there are strict guidelines on the type of cases that prosecutors can refer to the Attorney General's Office for consideration.

"Section 47 assault (assault occasioning actual bodily harm) and intimidation are both offences for which a referral would not be possible under existing legislation."

Jobless welder Bruce launched the vicious attack at their County Durham home after his wife spoke about splitting up, the court heard on Tuesday.

He held a knife with an eight-inch blade to her throat and yelled: "I'm going to top you and then top myself. If I can't have you, nobody will."

Bruce also threatened to scald her with boiling water, got a pellet gun from a bedroom and vowed to put a bullet "straight through your eye into your brain".