Barton escapes prison over Dabo attack
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton to be sentenced today
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Tuesday, 01, Jul 2008 06:45
Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has been given a four-month suspended sentence after admitting attacking a former team-mate.
Barton, 25, pleaded guilty to repeatedly punching Ousmane Dabo during a training ground altercation while they were both playing for Manchester City last year.
Yesterday, the England international admitted a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
In handing down the sentence, the judge branded Barton's behaviour as "disgraceful" and told Barton he has "a responsibility to act as a role model" given his profession.
But the judge added he is satisfied Barton's rehabilitation is "already underway" and decided against a custodial sentence.
He was instead ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work, given a nine month supervision order and ordered to pay £6,500 costs with £3,000 going to Dabo.
Barton is currently serving a six-month jail term after being found guilty of assault during a fight in Liverpool city centre on Boxing Day last year.
However, he is expected to be released from prison within the next three to ten days with an electronic tag.
Barton has been in court three times already this year. In May, he was cleared of vandalising a taxi on a night out in Merseyside.