Former England footballer Joey Barton has been found guilty of assault by beating after pushing his wife, Georgia Barton, to the floor and kicking her in the head during a drunken argument.
The 42-year-old retired midfielder, who played for Manchester City and QPR, committed the assault in June 2021 at their family home in Kew, southwest London.
The altercation began after Barton threatened to fight his wife’s father and brother while the couple was drinking with friends, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
At the time of the incident, Barton was the manager of Bristol Rovers. His wife was left with a lump on her forehead and a bleeding nose.
She called the police immediately, stating that her husband had “just hit” her. However, she later sent a letter to the prosecution retracting her allegations.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring found Barton guilty, describing his defense as “vague.” While acknowledging Barton’s past record of violence, the magistrate ruled out an immediate prison sentence, instead handing him a 12-week suspended sentence.
He noted that the couple remained in a “happy relationship” and had a young child together, which influenced the sentencing decision.
Outside the court, Barton expressed disappointment with the verdict and announced his intention to appeal at the High Court.
Prosecution barrister Helena Duong argued that Mrs. Barton’s 999 call on the night of the assault was “compelling evidence” and that her injuries required an explanation. She dismissed claims that the injuries were accidental, stating that they were “plainly not caused by an accident.”
Barton, who was arrested on the night of the incident while still intoxicated, denied that anything physical had occurred, claiming the altercation was only verbal.
Initially, the trial was delayed after Mrs. Barton retracted her statement, saying a friend had caused her injuries while trying to intervene.
However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) challenged the adjournment at the High Court, leading to the resumption of proceedings.
Barton has also been ordered to pay £2,183 in victim surcharge and prosecution costs within seven days.