The Crown Prosecution Service has decided not to appeal against a two-year jail sentence given to a Shipley man's killer.

The family of Dennis Wainman, 52, were devastated when the man who savagely attacked him in a pub was sentenced to just two years in prison.

They called on the CPS to appeal against the decision.

But a spokesman today said it had consulted the Treasury Counsel, made up of some of the most respected barristers in the country, who said the sentence was not unduly lenient.

She added: "We have accepted this advice." Mr Wainman's wife, June, 52, of Windhill, Shipley, was too upset to comment on the decision other than to say: "That's the way it goes."

Mr Wainman, an electrician and father of three, died on November 2, 1998, after being attacked in the Dog and Gun pub, Leeds Road, Shipley, by Harry Mortimer.

Mortimer, 52, was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

The pair had lived opposite each other in West Royd Road when they were children and were described by Mrs Wainman as "acquaintances" who saw each other in the pub and who "spoke and got on".

Shirley Cunningham, landlady of the pub, said she saw Mortimer hit Mr Wainman around the face when he made a joke.

She said she then saw Mortimer hit him at least another six times and kick him when he fell to the floor.

Speaking about the CPS decision, she said: "I don't know how he's got away with it.

"I really thought June would get the appeal. I don't really know what to say.

"I'm disgusted with it all. If that's all Dennis was worth, it's atrocious."

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