United star is jailed for violent attacks
May 21 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal
NEWCASTLE United star Joey Barton has been jailed for six months for a late-night attack in which he punched his victim up to 20 times.
The England international, 25, was caught on CCTV in Liverpool city centre knocking a man to the ground before straddling him and punching him four or five times.
Then, after his female cousin had thrown food at the victim, the player punched the unidentified man up to 15 more times.
Minutes later the out-of-control star attacked a 16-year-old, punching him and leaving him with broken teeth and in need of extensive dental surgery.
Barton was jailed for six months for assault and affray at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday after previously admitting his part in the alcohol-fuelled street attacks just after Christmas last year.
Barton’s cousin, Nadine Wilson, 27, of Childwall, Liverpool, and his brother Andrew Barton, 20, of Foxbank Road, Widnes, also pleaded guilty to their part in the assaults early on December 27.
Ian Harris, prosecuting, said that the Barton brothers and Wilson had gone into the fast-food restaurant at about 5am, before a series of altercations took place with a group of youths.
It was after leaving the restaurant that the attacks took place, when the unknown victim made an offensive gesture to Wilson. Mr Harris said: “Barton punched this male with such force he literally came off his feet. An unknown member of the Barton group then kicked him and Joseph Barton straddled him and punched him four or five times.”
Defending Barton, Stuart Driver QC said the player had been provoked by “truly obscene references” to his brother, who is currently serving life for the racist murder of Anthony Walker in 2005.
He added: “He lost his temper. It is as simple as that and he lashed out. This is a man who is taking responsibility for his actions. The best way to do that is to plead guilty to what he did at the first opportunity and that is what he did do.”
Judge Henry Globe QC told Barton his was a violent and cowardly act: “The most serious of the three offenders is you. You were restrained by others but ignored them and acted in an extremely violent and aggressive manner.
“You have a high profile as a footballer and you know that draws attention to you. Yet you drank to excess and behaved in an aggressive, disgraceful manner.”
Barton, also of Foxbank Road, was also ordered to pay £2,500 to Jordan Spencer, the teenager whose teeth he broke.
Wilson was given a six-month sentence for ABH and two months for affray, suspended for two years.
Andrew Barton was given a four-month sentence for common assault, suspended for two years, and a 12-month supervision order.
