Articles | Barton to be sentenced for attack

Barton told to 'set an example'

Published: Tuesday, 1 July 2008, 7:42AM

Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been told to set an example to his fans by the judge who spared him jail.

The 25-year-old Newcastle United midfielder received a four-month suspended sentence for assaulting former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo at a training session.

Judge Mushtaq Khokhar said Barton responded in a "ferocious way" to a "harmless" push by Dabo on May 1 last year.

He punched Dabo up to five times leaving him unconscious and covered in blood.

Barton was on bail over the incident when he got involved in a fight outside a McDonald's restaurant in Liverpool city centre last December.

He is currently serving a six-month jail term after admitting assault and affray in that case, but is expected to be released in the next few weeks with an electronic tag.

Judge Khokhar told him: "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 or now at Newcastle United.

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

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

Barton pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The four-month sentence is suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work and pay £3,000 compensation to his victim and court costs of £3,430.

Newcastle United released a brief statement saying the club would speak to Barton as soon as possible following sentencing.

Jim Sturman QC, defending Barton, said: "He accepts there is no place for this sort of behaviour and told me he would like to put it on the record that he would now like to apologise."