Joey Barton Found Guilty of Assaulting Wife in Domestic Violence Case

Joey Barton, the former Manchester City and QPR midfielder, has once again found himself in the spotlight—this time for all the wrong reasons. The 42-year-old ex-footballer has been convicted of assaulting his wife, Georgia Barton, in a violent domestic incident that took place at their home in Kew, southwest London, in June 2021.

Joey Barton, known for his fiery temper on and off the pitch, was found guilty of pushing his wife over and kicking her in the head, leaving her with a lump on her forehead and a bleeding nose. However, he has avoided jail, receiving a 12-week suspended sentence, meaning he will only face imprisonment if he commits another offense within the next two years.

The Incident: A Drunken Argument Turns Violent

The court heard that on the night of the assault, Joey Barton and Joey Barton wife had been drinking with two other couples while their children slept upstairs. What started as a normal evening escalated into a heated argument over a family matter, leading to the attack.

In the 911 call, Mrs. Georgia Barton reported that her husband had hit her. However, she later retracted her statement, sending a letter claiming the injuries were caused accidentally when a friend tried to separate them. Despite this, the court ruled that her initial distress call was compelling evidence, dismissing claims that it was influenced by alcohol.

Barton was arrested in his bedroom, still intoxicated, and taken into custody. Meanwhile, his wife, 38, was taken to a police station but chose to give a “no comment” interview.

Court Ruling: Guilty Verdict Despite Denial

During the two-day trial, Joey Barton denied the assault, stating that while there was an argument, it never turned physical. His defense lawyer, Simon Csoka, argued that Mrs. Barton’s injuries could have been sustained accidentally in the scuffle.

However, Magistrate Paul Goldspring found Barton’s version of events “vague” and ruled against him, citing his history of violent behavior. Despite this, the court decided against an immediate prison sentence, instead handing him a 12-week suspended sentence and ordering him to pay £2,183 in court costs and victim surcharges.

A History of Controversy and Violence

Joey Barton’s conviction adds to a long list of controversies that have plagued his football career and personal life.

• In 2012, Barton was stripped of his captaincy at QPR after a notorious on-field meltdown against Manchester City—elbowing Carlos Tevez, kicking Sergio Aguero, and attempting to headbutt Vincent Kompany before being sent off.
• In 2023, he was sued by broadcaster Jeremy Vine for libel and harassment, after calling him a “big bike nonce” and a “pedo defender” in social media posts.
• Earlier this year, he faced charges for sending offensive messages to Vine and football commentator Lucy Ward.

Despite his conviction, Joey Barton remains defiant, telling reporters outside the courtroom that he is “really disappointed” with the verdict and intends to appeal.

What’s Next for Joey Barton?

Despite his troubled history, Joey Barton and his wife remain together, suggesting that they may try to move past the incident. However, with his reputation already tarnished and his violent past well-documented, this latest conviction further cements his image as one of English football’s most controversial figures.

While Barton has been given another chance to stay out of prison, the question remains—will he be able to stay out of trouble?