Former footballer Joey Barton found guilty of assaulting wife

Former footballer Joey Barton has avoided jail for pushing his wife over and kicking her in the head.

The incident happened at their home in southwest London in June 2021.

Barton, 42, was convicted of assault and given a 12-week sentence, suspended for two years - meaning he will not go to prison unless he commits another offence.

Georgia Barton was left with a lump on her forehead and a bleeding nose after the attack in Kew.

The court heard the Bartons had been drinking with two other couples as their children slept upstairs, before an argument started over a family matter.

Mrs Barton called 999 and said her husband had hit her, but later sent a letter retracting the statement.

Barton was arrested in his bedroom - still drunk - on the night of the attack, Westminster Magistrates' Court was told.

His wife, 38, was taken to a police station but gave a "no comment" interview.

On Tuesday, magistrate Paul Goldspring described the ex-Man City and QPR player's story as "vague" and convicted him of assault after a two-day trial.

Prosecutors said Mrs Barton's call to police was "compelling evidence" and was not the result of alcohol as she and her husband claimed.

Barton previously admitted they had argued but denied anything "physical" occurred.

Defence lawyer Simon Csoka told the court: "There are a number of circumstances where the injury [lump] on the head] may have been sustained accidentally."

The trial was due to take place in 2022 but was adjourned after Mrs Barton sent a letter saying her injuries were caused accidentally when a friend tried to separate the pair.

The couple are still together.

The magistrate acknowledged Barton had "a record of violence" but said it was "not necessary to impose an immediate custodial sentence".

Barton was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge and court costs totalling £2,183.

Speaking outside court, Barton said he was "really disappointed" with the verdict and intended to appeal the decision.

Barton's career and life have been marked by numerous controversial incidents.

Last year, broadcaster Jeremy Vine sued him for libel and harassment over posts on X, including one where he called him a "big bike nonce" and a "pedo defender".

Earlier this year, he appeared in court charged with sending offensive messages to Vine and commentator Lucy Ward.

Barton was stripped of his QPR captaincy in 2012 having been sent off during Manchester City's final-day 3-2 win after elbowing Carlos Tevez and, as he left the pitch, kicking Sergio Aguero before aiming a headbutt at Vincent Kompany.

(c) Sky News 2025: Former footballer Joey Barton found guilty of assaulting wife