Anger course for violent husband

A WOMEN'S RIGHTS group last night condemned a judge who freed a violent husband and sent him on an 'anger management course'.

Barrie Davies, 42, beat up his second wife less than three years after killing his first. He also injured two policemen who tried to calm the situation after he hit his wife Dawn, 39, in the face, causing a fracture and bruising.

The judge, Mr Recorder Brittan, sentenced Davies, of Merthyr Tydfil, Mid Glamorgan, to 12 months' probation so he could attend 10 two- hour 'anger' sessions.

Campaigners helping battered wives last night questioned whether such courses had any real deterrent value.

Carol Owen, spokeswoman for Welsh Women's Aid, said: 'The judge has allowed a man to walk free who is clearly a danger to women and he is sending a damaging message to society about domestic violence.'

Davies, who admitted causing grievous bodily harm to his wife, was fined pounds 125 for assaulting the two police officers.