Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton âkicked his wife in the headâ causing a âgolf ball-sized lumpâ on her head after drinking âfour or five bottles of wineâ, a court heard.
The 39-year-old allegedly pushed over his wife Georgia and kicked her in the head at their house in Kew, south west London on June 2 last year. Barton denies assault and was facing trial at Wimbledon Magistratesâ Court today (Friday) - but it was adjourned after an application by Bartonâs barrister Simon Csoka QC.
Prosecutor Helena Duong said the couple, who were entertaining friends including another couple, were said to have gotten into a drunken argument over âfamiliesâ. She said Barton is alleged to have pushed his wife over and kicked her in the head.
Ms Duong said: âThe prosecution case is brought on the 999 call and body worn footage. On the evening of 2 June Mrs Barton called 999 at 11.14pm and says that she has just been hit in her house by her husband.
âShe asks for the police officers to attend urgently. At 11.38pm the police officers attend and speak to her outside. Sheâs waiting with another friend and another couple in the background as well. She says she had gotten into a drunken fight, the disagreement was about families, with her husband.
âShe says she was âpushed down and kicked about and stuff.â She said âhe has got my head and pushed me down and he kicked me on my headâ. An injury to the head is described by officers as a lump the size of a golf ball.
She confirms thatâs where she was kicked in the head by her husband. When she touches it thereâs some blood on her hand that appears to have come from a bloody nose.â
Barton, who gave an address to the court in Widnes, Cheshire, was said to be asleep upstairs when police arrived and was âstill intoxicatedâ when he was arrested.
Barton retired from playing in 2018 upon joining Fleetwood, having previously represented Burnley at the end of a career which had seen him feature for Manchester City, Newcastle and Queens Park Rangers, among others.
Barton has been in charge at League One side Bristol Rovers since last February. During his career he also made one appearance for England in a friendly against Spain in 2007. He will next appear at Wimbledon Magistratesâ Court on June 23.
