Joey Barton, the former professional footballer notorious for his on-field aggression, has once again found himself on the wrong side of the law—this time, in his own living room. A London court has found the 42-year-old guilty of assaulting his wife, Georgia Barton, during a boozy dispute at their home in Kew, southwest London, on June 2, 2021.
The altercation took place after an evening of heavy drinking with friends while the couple’s children slept upstairs. The night, which should have ended with nothing more than a hangover, turned violent when Barton reportedly pushed Georgia to the ground and delivered a kick to her head. The impact left her with a swollen forehead “the size of a golf ball” and a bleeding nose—injuries that prompted her to call emergency services, stating, “My husband just hit me.” However, she later attempted to retract her allegations, claiming it had all been an accident. The courts, however, were not convinced.
Courtroom Drama: Joey Barton’s Defense Falls Flat
Despite Georgia Barton’s retraction, the case proceeded, and the verdict did not favor the former Premier League midfielder. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring found Joey Barton guilty of assault by beating, highlighting the inconsistencies in the couple’s testimonies and describing Barton’s defense as “vague.”
The ruling resulted in Barton receiving a 12-week suspended prison sentence—a close call that means he won’t be behind bars this time, but any further trouble could land him there. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £2,055 in costs. Given his history, this might be one of the lighter punishments he’s faced over the years.
A History of Foul Play—On and Off the Field
For those who have followed Joey Barton’s career, this latest scandal may not come as a shock. Known for his fiery temper both on and off the pitch, Barton has a long list of offenses that extend well beyond football.
In 2008, he was sentenced to six months in jail for an affray and assault incident in Liverpool city center. Later that year, he received a four-month suspended sentence for an altercation with a teammate during training. His playing career was littered with controversies, from violent tackles to social media feuds, proving that trouble tends to follow wherever he goes.
The Verdict: A Tarnished Legacy Continues
While Barton’s footballing days are behind him, his name continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons. This latest conviction adds another stain to his already controversial legacy, reinforcing the idea that some players struggle to leave their aggression on the pitch.
For now, Joey Barton remains a free man, but the message from the court was clear: even former footballers can’t dodge accountability forever. Whether this marks a turning point for Barton remains to be seen—but given his track record, it wouldn’t be surprising if this wasn’t the last time he finds himself before a judge.
