Joey Barton denies ‘grabbing wife by the throat and kicking her in the head’ at a party days before wedding anniversary
JOEY Barton today denied attacking his wife just days before their wedding anniversary.
The football manager, 38, allegedly grabbed Georgia, 35, by the throat and kicked her in the head while at a party in Kew, South West London
Barton appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court via videolink today where he pleaded not guilty to assault by beating.
The ex-Premier League star, who now manages League One side Bristol Rovers, allegedly attacked Georgia on June 2 - two days before their anniversary.
She suffered a head injury following the attack, which allegedly came after a discussion became "heated".
The court was told Barton then grabbed her throat and kicked her, which left a "golf ball sized bruise".
Prosecutor Nahiedh Khan said: "She has then called the police and said that she was injured and had been assaulted. She said that she wanted Mr Barton removed from the property but did not want to give a statement.”
“Mr Barton was quite intoxicated and was struggling to stay standing when unassisted.”
FOOTBALLER CHARGE
Barton, who is on unconditional bail, is due to stand trial at the same court on December 16.
He married his childhood sweetheart in a lavish ceremony in 2019 at a country house in Oxfordshire.
The couple have two children together - a son born in 2011 and a daughter born in 2014.
Barton started his football career with Manchester City in 2002 after going through their youth system and went on to make 150 appearances for the club.
He then moved to Newcastle United in a £5.8million transfer in July 2007 before leaving for Queens Park Rangers in August 2011.
The midfielder was then put on loan to French side Marseille during the 2012-13 season before making his way to Burnley for one season - helping promote them to the Premier League.
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Barton made one appearance for England in 2007 - despite criticising some of his fellow players.
The footballer then began his management career with Fleetwood Town in June 2018 after a stint at Rangers.
He moved to current club Bristol Rovers in February this year.
