Newcastle and England midfielder Joey Barton will be released from jail tonight, after finally being granted bail by a judge at Liverpool Crown Court today.
Joey Barton – granted bail after two previous failed attempts
Barton had twice been refused bail following his arrest in Liverpool on December 27th when he was charged with common assault and affray. But his request to the Crown Court was finally accepted only hours after his second hearing with Liverpool magistrates ended unsuccessfully.
After a private hearing that lasted an hour, Barton’s legal team, led by solicitor Daniel Weed, confirmed the former Manchester City player would leave Liverpool’s Walton Prison on Thursday evening. No conditions of the bail were revealed.
Weed said:
“Mr. Joseph Barton has been granted bail with conditions until he appears at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on January 16.”
Earlier Thursday, Barton’s assault charge was upgraded from a Section 39 common assault to a Section 47 assault occasioning actual bodily harm. It has been alleged Barton and a group of his friends were involved in two separate incidents following a row with another group inside a McDonald’s restaurant in Church Street, Liverpool, last Thursday.
The player’s brother, Andrew Barton, 19, from Widnes, is charged with actual bodily harm and affray and Nadine Wilson, 27, from Huyton, Merseyside, is charged with common assault and affray. They did not appear on Thursday but will stand alongside him in the dock at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, January 16th.
Exactly what happens now with Joey Barton, we don’t know, but we hardly think it appropriate that he starts playing for Newcastle United again. We would expect the club to announce whatever they are going to do shortly.
After all, it’s not very often that you have one of your players get himself put in jail, is it?
Comments welcome.
62 comments so far
Tom_Toon
Jan 3, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Comment #1‘Weed said:’
that just about sums it up, for anyone to let barton out jail they must have been smoking that sht.
Hadrian
Jan 3, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Comment #2im sorry , im no longer grabbing my pitch fork and metting up with the lynch mob .
bartons been a fool, but i bet he doesnt need us to tell him that .
whats next?
he needs to knuckle down , stay out of trouble and if he gets a chance , prove to us on the field that we should stick with him .
he’s been kicked enough while he was down , he doesnt need anymore .
the lads only human , and he’s playing for a city notorious for its late night drinking and punch ups , so as a city we havent room to talk .
Graham
Jan 3, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Comment #3What now? Lets strap him to the lampost outside Mcdonalds on Northumberland Street so all those fans who have paid his wages can dish out some rough justice of their own!
Graham
Jan 3, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Comment #4Hadrian – but as a city we re not role models to youngsters are we, and we dont treat those who pay us good money with contempt, do we?
Petworth Mag
Jan 3, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Comment #5Big Duncan Ferguson never seemed to have a problem transitioning from prison to the Everton starting 11. 🙂 Just like Sam I’d give Joey till the end of the season to prove his salt.
And for those saying he isn’t living up to being a good role model I’d quote Mr. Charles Barkley. “The media imposes the responsibility of being a role model on athletes who are often only kids themselves. Its up to the parents to raise their kids, I aint no role model.”
johnny
Jan 3, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Comment #6Hadrian,
Get a grip, Barton is an obnoxious moron who deserves everything he gets.
Leo
Jan 3, 2008 at 6:56 PM
Comment #7crying himself to sleep and giving presents out to cell mates to stop them hurting him, haha wimp. dont seem soo hard now does he
D.C.
Jan 3, 2008 at 6:58 PM
Comment #8Void his contract but retain his registration like Chelsea did to Mutu, so we can maybe recoup some of our losses if there happens to be another team desperate (read: stupid) enough to take a chance on him. No way should he don the black and white again.
Eve
Jan 3, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Comment #9What now, turning up for training tomorrow. LOL, that would be interesting.
Zx
Jan 3, 2008 at 7:36 PM
Comment #10I hope he turns up in training and for some reason beats BSA up.
STEPHEN14
Jan 3, 2008 at 7:38 PM
Comment #11cancel his contract and make him get a proper job, maybe a days hard graft on a freezin tyneside builing site wud sort him out
JoshI
Jan 3, 2008 at 7:41 PM
Comment #12Ding, Ding, Ding!……
……..and in the red corner: ‘Big’ Sam Aalleeeerdyyyceee!! 1 time eufa cup contender.
……..and in the blue corner: Joey ‘Bad boy’ Baaaartooon!! Former Manchester city and Newcastle United midfielder.
ToonUSA
Jan 3, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Comment #13ED,
What about an article about our youngsters. Previous years they have come in showed lots of promis and yet they all seem to have vanished from the news. Love to hear your prespective on that.
Y
geord116
Jan 3, 2008 at 7:48 PM
Comment #14Hate to state the obvious, but we are crying (no pun Joey) for a creative midfielder. Any normal human if having spent that long in the cells, would be the greatest wake up call of all time. One last chance and dont fcuk it up !!!!
Ed Harrison
Jan 3, 2008 at 7:50 PM
Comment #15ToonUSA – I’ll look to put an article together on that within the next week.
Tripp
Jan 3, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Comment #16Graham, I beg to differ… Barton may stick out more than other individuals, but role models are all around kids and they learn quite a bit from the day to day stuff they witness.
That said, Barton deserves whatever Justice the Court hands out. Don’t want him in the side. We might as well sell Emre if that were to happen. Wor Little Turk would have to be gutted by that (I’m sure he’s not chuffed to bits over his lack of playing time as it is) and I wouldn’t blame him one bit.
scotty
Jan 3, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Comment #17Get yerselves on you tube. Hatton and Barton training together in the Gymn before Hatton got pummelled!
He definately picked the wrong vocation in life…………
Steeley
Jan 3, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Comment #18I think it would be in very bad taste for Barton to make it anywhere near the squad when he’s currently got two ongoing charges of assault against him.
I would have thought that NUFC cant terminate his contract due to these incidents unless he is actually convicted of the crime, however, I certainly think thay will be pre-empting any outcome.
Saying that, what do you call the fella that NUFC chucked out (Roeder’s assistant) who was involved in the Sam Allardyce-enquiry by the FA? If I remember rightly he was sacked by the club just because his name was mentioned (I vaguely remember reading that he was going to sue the club though) – so God knows what the club can legally do.
Needless to say, I hope Barton is found guilty and does some time because he really has let EVERYONE down by just getting involved! He can see out his time and then join another club who would have to pay us some sort of compensation for the player a la Mutu and Chelsea.
Cockney Magpie
Jan 3, 2008 at 8:51 PM
Comment #19Im with Hadrian on this one, Ive got a mate so similar to Barton its scary he is so talented at footy but just cannot keep out of trouble and even looks a bit like him lol, i think the lad needs help and a kick in the right direction and if anybody can do tht its Sam, I think spending tht few days in prison could really have been a wake up call and i am all for giving him one last chance to prove he aint a lost cause
Cockney Magpie
Jan 3, 2008 at 8:56 PM
Comment #20Laurent Robert is having a trial at derby!!
Tripp
Jan 3, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Comment #21I think at this point Joey should be back in training. Not playing and not representing NUFC in anyway. He’s innocent until proven guilty, right? This could be a case of gold digging and given Joey’s past, he’s an easy target. Once the Judge makes a decision (or is it the Jury, how do the courts work over there exactly) then we can move forward. Until then, Joey’s in limbo.
JMDuncan
Jan 3, 2008 at 8:59 PM
Comment #22It is always unfortunate to see a young man go astray in such a manner as this. Barton is a fine player, but cannot seem to straighten his life out. This unfortunately reminds me of the Michael Vick problem in the NFL. As an Atlantan, I have become all too familiar with talented atheletes turned criminals. Young millionaires living gifted lifestyles does not always make for the greatest citizens. Again, it is unfortunate that these things happen, but gifted athletes are not above the law, and the sooner THEY realize that the better. Perhaps Joey should spend more time in prison to drive that point home. I would also like to think that NUFC should be due some sort of compensation when a multi million pound signing ends up in the stockade.
Aussie Dave
Jan 3, 2008 at 9:14 PM
Comment #23What will happen with Barton?
I would throw him straight back in, you never know we might get a performance out of him. He is meant to be the midfielder that gives nufc that little bit extra energy and goals.
Does anybody actually know what happened in Liverpool? I doubt Joey was stumblimg around trying to fight anyone in sight as reported.
Its more than likely a bunch of wankers decided to stir him up, start a fight and see what money they can make out him.
These guys should be embarrred, I heard that they hit the girl in Joeys group, yet she was charged with assault
I think Joey should ease off the Ricky Hatton training for own sake.
I personally would like te lad to sort himself out and start playing like the player we all know he is. He may struggle to stay out of jail on this one though
heads23552
Jan 3, 2008 at 9:20 PM
Comment #24If this was one of us we would be sacked by our employers. He has had enough chances p45 time.
micky the mole
Jan 3, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Comment #25@ jmduncan were u at the game yesterday ?
Dragoner
Jan 3, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Comment #26Aussie Dave you are probably right mate, everyone knows about Barton, and the way he acts is going to act as a magnet for mugs who aren’t as fortunate to be in the position he is in. However, i must say that this guy has turned out to be Sam’s worst signing. He is a good player but he just was not needed. We should have a bought a young midfileder to learn from Emre’s experience and act as cover. I think Biglia is that person. Everyone has their own suggestion, but the point is 6 Million on Barton is just pointless to me when we could have added 1 or 2 million and had our pick of a lot of better, younger midfielders. Without the rep too. oh well
Tom_Toon
Jan 3, 2008 at 9:39 PM
Comment #27Biglia is a great player, but he would learn from someone like Pirlo as he doesnt like to go forward he likes to stay deep and pass from deep.
Murvar
Jan 3, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Comment #28What no-one seems to have picked up on is the article on “This is London” in which it said that he had left the prison in the company of the Chief Executive of the Sporting Chance Clinic in Hampshire. Unless I’m much mistaken, this is Tony Adams’ place where footballers with problems can get help. My guess is that JB has a bail condition of residence there until his next hearing on 16 Jan, and that this prospect either wasn’t arranged by the time of the earlier court appearance or they didn’t want to mention it in open court; as he got bail before a Judge “In chambers” ie in the Judge’s office which is not open court, the arguments for this course of action would be heard out of public hearing. He can also expect a bail condition to be banned from Liverpool City centre; hopefully he’ll be banned from Newcastle city centre too, but I don’t think having a poor run of form is enough to warrant a remand in custody, however much his critics would want it to.
What’s odd is that the charge was increased in seriousness (common assault up to ABH) and yet he still got bail. He will have a tight package of bail conditions, believe me. They should now try to package this charge up with the previous ones and get them all to court at the same time, but not guilty pleas to both sets of charges would complicate this greatly and elongate the time scale for resolution. I don’t think we’ll see him for quite some time – and nor should we. He is in a very precarious position, incompatible with playing football. The club should stop or reduce his wages whilst this is going on – he has voluntarily placed himself in this position and there’s no reason why the club – and by extension, the supporters – should pay for him to be absent for reasons such as this.
Cockney Magpie
Jan 3, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Comment #29Heads23552 i dunno who you work for but ive never worked for a place that sacks employees if they have a pissed up scrap at the weekend
Murvar
Jan 3, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Comment #30Cockney Magpie – you must have crap jobs then………
Reading Mag
Jan 3, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Comment #31I dont think its BS worst signing on the field. I dont mean to sound old, but have we not been through worse times (only 37 ) were not in the bottom 5, whilst its not the beautiful game, its not as bad in patches as last season (birmingham in the cup ) and please please can we give the current squad a bit of time. did we sign that lad from Swindon
Hammy
Jan 3, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Comment #32Cockney Mag..Laurent Robert…Derby..
You taking the piss???
On his day Laurent…(now and again) he had THE best left foot in the world, anybody remember the two thunderbolts against spurs?
everytime he got the ball we were shouting shoot…..sorry back to reality
..sack Big Sam…
Marguerite
Jan 3, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Comment #33HAMMY (27) – Do I just and the one against manure. Ah memories.
john
Jan 3, 2008 at 11:42 PM
Comment #34i agree laurent robert on his day was as good as anyone what does a a cockney know about the toon
Ausgeordie
Jan 3, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Comment #35Barton should be sent packing. I’m sure he’ll cope with the hundreds of thousands of dollars he has earned over the last few seasons. That way we get a new player too.
And yes Robert is trialling at Derby
Cockney Magpie
Jan 3, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Comment #36Murvar im a prison officer, dunno if u count that as a crap job but i like it
Tom_Toon
Jan 3, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Comment #37cockney, get a transfer and taunt barton.
Cockney Magpie
Jan 4, 2008 at 12:05 AM
Comment #38what do u mean what does a cockney know about the Toon? Im 22 now and I was 6 years old when i decided i was a Newcastle fan, I dont have a clue what made me support them at all as most kids pick teams who were in the top league at the time but it was just in my heart i guess, as soon as i was watchin football on tv i was a newcastle fan nobody knows where it came from because my whole family are spurs fans, and plus at the time i didnt even know where Newcastle was! but ive always been a toon fan and always will be but just coz i aint a northerner dont mean i dont bleed black and white like the rest of u. My whole life revolves around NUFC the days i work, when i see my girlfriend, the money i spend, so please just because im not from newcastle NEVER question my love for the club ok! i mean im 22 and my bedroom is covered in old newcastle shirts, flags and framed pictures etc for god is a wonder i even have a girlfriend! lol but all im trying to say is when i do the 5 n half hour drive up the A1 its the best f***in journey in the world and even when we lose the journey back aint that back coz the buzz of ST James’ Park stays with me all the way home! ( and plus im movin to Peterborough saturday so it will only be 4 n a half hours! WOO HOO!)
Cockney Magpie
Jan 4, 2008 at 12:19 AM
Comment #39What do u mean what does a cockney no about the toon? im 22 now and i was 6 years old when i started supporting newcastle i dont know why bcoz most kids chose a team in the top league , but i suppose it was just in my heart i guess, as soon as i was watching footy on tele Newcastle were my team, nobody knows where it came from as all my family are spurs fans and i didnt even no where newcastle was at the time! but just because im not a northerner dont think i dont bleed black and white as much as the rest of ya, my whole live revolves around NUFC the days i work, when i see my girlfriend, the money i spend so please NEVER question my love for the club! i mean im 22 and my room is covered in old newcastle shirts flags and pictures! its a wonder ive even got a girlfriend! lol andit kills me when people think that just because im from down south im not as passionate about Newcastle bcoz nothin in the world means more to me than NUFC some people may thinks thats sad but i dont care its wat i love more than anythin, but all im sayin is when i do that 5 n half hour drive up the A1 its the best damn journey ever and even if we lose the journey back is just as good bcoz the buzz of St James’ Park stays with me all the way home! (and plus im moving to Peterborough Saturday so it will only be 4 n half hours WOO HOO!)
Tom_Toon
Jan 4, 2008 at 12:24 AM
Comment #40i live in p’boro mate, well huntingdon, you know it?
at least you can get there easy from the train station.