A JUDGE has today thrown out Joey Barton’s assault case after he was accused of attacking his wife two days before their anniversary.
The Bristol Rovers boss was accused of leaving Georgia Barton, 35, with a lump the size of a “golf ball” after hitting her at home in Kew, South West London.
But the assault by beating case has now been dropped on the grounds of abuse of process.
It comes after Georgia wrote a letter to the CPS saying she got the details wrong after drinking all day and did not want to press charges against Barton, 40.
The prosecution did not take a statement after this and refused to call her as a witness – causing District Judge Andrew Sweet to rule that Barton would not receive a fair trial.
Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court was told Georgia had phoned police on June 2 last year telling them: “My husband has just hit me in the house”.
When questioned by an officer at the scene, she added: “I’ve been pushed down and kicked about and stuff”.
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But prosecutor Daniel Donoghue told the court Georgia became “evasive” the following day and has since retracted the allegation against her husband.
She was not going to be called to be a witness against her husband at his trial, which started today.
Bodycam footage played to Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court earlier showed Barton sleeping heavily in his bedroom when police arrived at the couple’s home.
The manager was eventually woken up when the duvet was lifted from him while he was still in his pants.
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Barton could be seen asking for his trousers before he was handcuffed and arrested.
He was detained and gave a “no comment” interview when quizzed by cops, it was said.
The court was told Georgia later sent a letter to the CPS on February 17 which is in “stark contrast” to her first account.
The letter explained the couple, who are still together, were having dinner with pals and had sunk up to five bottles of wine each.
Georgia suggested the injury was caused “accidentally” when friends intervened, the court heard.
Barton 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.
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.
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He moved to current club Bristol Rovers in February last year.
Barton, of Widnes, Cheshire, denied assault by beating.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
