Six months jail for Joey Barton after night of violence

May 21 2008 by Chloe Griffiths, Liverpool Daily Post

PREMIERSHIP star Joey Barton was last night beginning a six-month jail term after an alcohol-fuelled attack on two men in Liverpool city centre.

The Huyton-born midfielder lashed out at two separate men – including a 16-year-old boy – after a night of heavy drinking in Liverpool city centre.

High-quality CCTV footage captured the player, who grew up on the Bluebell Estate, on a violent rampage down Church Street.

In a reference on Barton’s behalf, the head of Sporting Chance clinics Peter Kay said he was “addicted to alcohol” but was recovering.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the £6m Newcastle United star rained at least 20 blows on a stranger in the city centre, before turning his attention on the helpless teenager.

And yesterday even a glowing reference from Kevin Keegan was unable to save Barton.

The Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Henry Globe QC said he had no choice but to jail England-capped Barton for the “violent and cowardly attack”.

He added: You were restrained on a number of occasions, but you ignored those restraints.

“You were at the time on bail for two other offences and if there was ever a time you should have been on best behaviour it was when you were on bail for these offences.”

Former Manchester City star Barton hugged his co-accused – his brother Andrew and cousin Nadine Wilson – and passed a mobile phone and items of jewellery to a man in the public gallery as he was led away.

The court heard a confrontation first broke out at McDonalds on Lord Street at about 5am on December 27.

Footage shows Barton having to be repeatedly restrained, but Ian Harris, prosecuting, told the court “persistent and frightening street violence” later erupted after they left the restaurant.

As an unidentified man made obscene gestures to “aggressive” Wilson – she had drunk three bottles of wine – Barton stormed towards the stranger.

Mr Harris said: “Joey Barton can be clearly seen to punch the male with such force he was literally knocked off his feet.”

Barton, who had consumed 10 pints and five bottles of lager, then straddled his victim and punched him at least four times in the face, before his younger brother Andrew managed to drag him away.

But seconds later Barton, of Fox Bank Close, Widnes turned on his victim again, raining up to 15 blows at him.

Minutes later, he turned his aggression on innocent teenager Jordan Spencer punching him in the face causing him to fall to the ground, breaking his teeth.

The court heard neither of Barton’s victims had made any threatening or aggressive gestures towards the player, but Stuart Driver QC, defending Barton, 25, said he had been subjected to “extreme provocation”.

Mr Driver said passers-by had been making obscene comments, particularly about Barton’s half-brother Michael serving life for the horrific murder of Anthony Walker.

The Newcastle United star, who was on Everton’s books as a teenager, admitted affray and assault at a plea hearing on April 23, however legal restriction prevented any reporting of the case.

Andrew Barton, 20, also of Foxbank Road, Widnes, who admitted affray after punching another youth, was spared prison as the court heart he had tried to restrained his older brother.

Judge Globe suspended a four-month jail term for two years and ordered him to attend the Think First programme.

Wilson, 27, of Childwall, had a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years and was ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work after admitting affray and common assault.

Kevin Keegan's letter of reference

FORMER Liverpool FC star Kevin Keegan, Joey Barton’s former manager at Man City and current manager at Newcastle, sent a letter of reference to the court on Barton’s behalf.

He said: “I have known Joey for a very long time since I was the manager at Manchester City.

“If I’d have been asked to provide a positive reference before meeting him again at Newcastle I would have struggled to do so. I have noticed a massive change in him and he has now taken stock of his life.

“He has my full support and I have no hesitation in saying there really has been an incredible change in him for the better.” Peter Kay, from the Sporting Chance clinics, said Barton had not touched alcohol since his release from prison and hates himself when he drinks.

He said: “Joey has realised he suffers from an addiction to alcohol. He is a man that cannot drink in the future. He has been alcohol free since leaving prison and has shown shame and remorse for what he has done.”

Jailhouse eleven of football's bad boys

A FOOTBALL team who have served time in jail.

Goalkeeper – Rene Higuita. Seven months in prison in 1993 after acting as a go-between between two Colombian drug barons.

Defender – Tony Adams. The Arsenal defender Tony Adams served two months at Chelmsford Open Prison in 1990 for drink- driving offences.

Gary Charles. Twice capped for England, he was imprisoned twice, once for drink driving and for cutting off his electronic tag to go on holiday to the Costa del Sol.

Terry Fenwick. Played for Tottenham and QPR in the 1980s, given a four-month sentence in 1991 for drink-driving.

Jamie Lawrence. Jailed for robbery as a youngster. Later and spotted by a local football team while playing for the prison side. He was later bought by Sunderland and helped Bradford secure promotion to the Premiership.

Centre Midfield – Peter Storey. Former Arsenal and England midfielder Peter Storey was sentenced to 28 days for attempting to import pornography.

Ten years earlier he had been jailed for three years for financing a counterfeiting scam.

Joey Barton. Jailed for six months for attacking a man in Liverpool city centre in the early hours of December 27 last year.

Wing – George Best. Manchester United winger Best, who died in 2005, was convicted of drink- driving and assaulting a policeman in 1984. He was jailed for 12 weeks and spent Christmas in Pentonville Prison.

Jermaine Pennant. Sentenced to three months for drink driving in 2005. Now plays for Liverpool.

Centre Forward – Duncan Ferguson. Jailed three months for head- butting another player in April 1994. Later He served 44 days in Glasgow’s notorious Barlinnie prison before becoming an Everton legend.

Marlon King. 18 months prison sentence for handling a stolen car while playing for Gillingham.

Coach – Graham Rix. Rix joined Chelsea as coach after a playing career that included 350 appearances for Arsenal in the 1970s and 1980s. He was sentenced to 12 months in 1999 for having sex with a 15- year-old girl.