Former England footballer Joey Barton has been found guilty of assault by beating after pushing his wife to the ground and kicking her in the head.
The 42-year-old ex-midfielder, who played for Manchester City and QPR, attacked his wife, Georgia Barton, 38, during a drunken argument at their family home in Kew, southwest London, in June 2021.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court previously heard that the couple had been drinking with two other couples while their children slept upstairs when an argument erupted after Barton threatened to fight his wife’s brother and father.
At the time of the incident, Barton was managing Bristol Rovers. He has now been handed a 12-week suspended prison sentence.
Mrs. Barton suffered a lump on her forehead and a bleeding nose, the court heard. She initially called the police on the night of the assault, stating that her husband had “just hit” her, but later sent a letter retracting her allegations.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring dismissed Barton’s version of events, calling it “vague,” and convicted him. While acknowledging Barton’s history of violence, the magistrate decided that an immediate custodial sentence was unnecessary. He noted that the couple remained in a “happy relationship” with a young child and stated, “That is not something I want to interfere with.”
Following the sentencing, Barton expressed disappointment with the verdict and announced plans to appeal to the High Court.
Prosecution barrister Helena Duong argued that Mrs. Barton’s 999 call was “compelling evidence,” as she had described the incident “in clear terms.” She also pointed to Mrs. Barton’s bloody nose, stating, “It was plainly something not caused by an accident.”
Barton admitted to arguing with his wife but denied any physical altercation. He was arrested while asleep and still intoxicated in their bedroom on the night of the incident.
The case, initially scheduled for trial in 2022, was postponed after Mrs. Barton retracted her claims, stating her injuries were accidental and caused by a friend intervening. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Stephen Parkinson, challenged the delay, arguing a fair trial was possible. In June, two senior judges ruled in favor of proceeding with the case before a different judge.
Barton has also been ordered to pay £2,183 in victim surcharge and prosecution costs within seven days.
