Former Premier League star Joey Barton will answer allegations he beat up his wife at an assault trial next month.
The Bristol Rovers manager and former Newcastle player, 38, is accused of assaulting Georgia McNeil by beating at a property in Kew, south-west London on June 2 this year.
He allegedly kicked her in the head and left her with a head injury and bloody nose at a property where they had been with friends.
Barton, of Widnes, Cheshire, married his wife two years ago at a lavish venue in Oxfordshire.
The former midfielder played more than 250 Premier League games for Newcastle United, Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers.
He began managing League One side Fleetwood Town in 2018, before moving to Bristol Rovers in February this year, shortly before the club were relegated to League Two.
The trial date was set at Wimbledon Magistrates Court today and is due take place at the same venue on December 16.
The alleged attack is claimed to have taken place two days before the couple marked their second anniversary.
Former Premier League star Joey Barton (left) will answer allegations he beat up his wife at an assault trial next month. The Bristol Rovers manager and former Newcastle player, 38, is accused of assaulting Georgia McNeil (second from left next to former Oasis singer Noel Gallagher and his wife Sara MacDonald in 2011) by beating at a property in Kew, south-west London on June 2 this year
Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard in July that Barton allegedly grabbed Mrs Barton by the throat and kicked her in the head during an altercation outside the Kew property, where they had been with two friends.
She was left with a bloody nose following the alleged attack and then called the police and asked for her husband to be removed from the property.
Barton allegedly became ‘quite angry’ while discussing a family-related matter, said prosecutor Nahiedh Khan.
‘He grabbed the throat of Mrs Barton, and this caused her to move backwards, falling to the floor.’
Barton allegedly kicked his wife to the right side of her temple ‘resulting in a half golf ball sized bruise on the right side of her temple,’ said Ms Khan.
The former footballer denied he was violent towards his wife.
The couple married two years ago and the alleged attack occurred two days before their anniversary
Mrs Khan told the court: ‘On 2 June at about 11.30pm in the evening, Mr Barton is with his wife Georgia Barton and they were talking to friends outside the property while they were having a small party together.
‘These two friends witnessed the incident and refused to provide further information other than what was seen in the body worn footage.’
She continued: ‘Mrs Barton suffered a half golf ball-sized bruise on the side of the head.
Joey Barton during his time as manager of Fleetwood Town
Richard Derby, defending, requested a case management hearing before the trial.
He said: ‘Categorically, this incident did not happen. There was no assault..’
A Metropolitan Police statement read: ‘The charge relates to an incident which took place at a residential property in Kew on Wednesday, June 2 in which a woman received a head injury. London Ambulance Service did not attend.
‘A 38-year-old man was arrested on June 2, bailed pending further enquiries, and subsequently charged.’
Barton made 269 Premier League appearances for Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers and Burnley during his playing career. He was also capped once for England in February 2007.
The 38-year-old became manager of League One side Fleetwood Town in 2018 before taking over League Two club Bristol Rovers earlier this year.
Rovers released a short statement after Barton was charged.
It read: ‘The football club is aware of the court hearing involving Manager Joey Barton, scheduled to take place on Monday, 26th July.
‘As there are legal proceedings pending, the club is unable to make further comment at this current time.’
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10214055/Football-manager-Joey-Barton-stand-trial-claim-beat-wife-Georgia-McNeil-35.html
