Barton in court on assault charge

[khay 10]

Barton in court on assault charge

Footballer Joey Barton has appeared in court charged with assault.

 

The Newcastle United midfielder, 25, is accused of attacking fellow player Ousmane Dabo at Manchester City's training ground complex on 1 May.

 

He appeared for a brief hearing at Manchester Crown Court to set a trial date where he will face charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

 

Richard Varden, prosecuting, said the earliest date a trial could be held was 30 June next year.

 

He added: "I realise it seems a long way away although it's a straightforward allegation, there is an additional factor in that the defendant is a Premiership footballer."

 

Mr Varden said the witnesses in the case would be other footballers.

 

Mr Barton has said he "strenuously denies" the allegation. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

 

The Liverpool-born midfielder was sold by Manchester City to Newcastle United in June in a £5.8m deal.

 

from bbc.

[Kid Dynamite 7327]

I think everyone knows hes guilty a sin. I just want it done with whatever the verdict. I can see the judge making an example of him if he gets a guilty verdict.

[Guest alex]

I think everyone knows hes guilty a sin. I just want it done with whatever the verdict. I can see the judge making an example of him if he gets a guilty verdict.

Not being funny but there's always more to these things than meets the eye. Gol reckoned the other bloke hit him first iirc.

[Jimbo 175]

I think everyone knows hes guilty a sin. I just want it done with whatever the verdict. I can see the judge making an example of him if he gets a guilty verdict.

 

I think the debate is was the altercation an attack or just a fight.

[RlCO 0]

You can imagine the piss-taking in the dressing room.

 

"I'm off to Monaco at the end of the season. You got any plans for a holiday Joey? I hear Durham is nice"

[NJS 4447]

It might be the case that it was a dodgy attack but.....

 

As I've said before, two blokes fighting shouldn't necessarily be a legal matter.

 

Also in those circumstances "guilt" shouldn't be decided by who comes out the worst - its more important who started it, who threw the first punch and whether the retaliation was "instant" or a cowardly sucker punch after it had calmed down.

[Fop 1]

It might be the case that it was a dodgy attack but.....

 

As I've said before, two blokes fighting shouldn't necessarily be a legal matter.

 

Also in those circumstances "guilt" shouldn't be decided by who comes out the worst - its more important who started it, who threw the first punch and whether the retaliation was "instant" or a cowardly sucker punch after it had calmed down.

 

In cases like this, "guilt" is likely determined by who spent the most on the best legal team.

[Offshore Toon 0]

Barton should be fine, then.

 

I love the way that the BBC point out the maximum sentence, just to make things a bit worse. I suppose it's to be expected.

[Jusoda Kid 1]

Typical foreigner trying to get some compensation out of the whole thing