Barton spared jail term

Midfielder given suspended sentence after guilty plea

Last updated: 2nd July 2008

Barton spared jail term

Barton: Pleaded guilty

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Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has been spared another jail term over his assault of Ousmane Dabo after pleading guilty to the charge.

Barton punched his former Manchester City team-mate in a training ground row, leaving him unconscious and covered in blood on the ground.

The 25-year-old was due to go on trial at Manchester Minshull Crown Court on Monday, but changed his plea shortly before the scheduled start.

He has now been given a four-month suspended sentence and ordered to carry out community service.

Judge Mushtaq Khokhar told Barton: "As a professional footballer you are someone who is talented and greatly idolised by young and old alike whether you are playing at Manchester City and now at Newcastle United.

"You are constantly in the public eye. You have a high profile, there would be instances of provocations ... being an idol brings with it responsibilities which you have to carry with you all the time.

Example

"You want to be setting an example, particularly to those who idolise you, particularly youngsters who look up to you."

Barton was suspended by City after the incident and joined Newcastle for £5.8million last summer, but he continued to make headlines away from the pitch.

He is currently serving a six-month jail term which began on 20th May after pleading guilty to charges of assault and affray over an incident at a McDonald's in Liverpool city centre on 27th December.

Newcastle have now confirmed they will speak to Barton over his future.

They said in a statement: "The club now intends to hold discussions with Joey and his representatives at the earliest possible opportunity."