Ex Man City And Newcastle Midfielder Previously Admitted Beating His Wife

Joey Barton: Former footballer to face new trial over alleged assault

Ex-Man City and Newcastle midfielder previously admitted beating his wife

Barton had domestic abuse conviction overturned in 2020

Former footballer Joey Barton is to face a new criminal trial over an allegation he assaulted his wife, judges have ruled.

Prosecutors have asked judges to order that the trial of Barton over domestic abuse allegations should resume.

Barton had a previous conviction for domestic abuse overturned in 2020.

The 40-year-old ex-Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder admitted beating his wife in 2017.

But his conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal in 2020 and a retrial was ordered.

Jurors in the first trial were not told about Barton's previous convictions for violence.

However, in a ruling on Friday, two senior judges at the High Court in London said the jury in the retrial should be told about his previous convictions.

They said the convictions were "relevant" to Barton's "propensity" to commit the offences he is now accused of.

Barton, who now manages League One side Bristol Rovers, denies the charge of assault by beating.

The trial is expected to be held later this year.

In a separate case, Barton has apologised to broadcaster Jeremy Vine and agreed to pay him £75,000 in damages and his legal costs over defamation and harassment claims.