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Barton is sentenced for assault Barton is sentenced for assault
(40 minutes later)
Footballer Joey Barton has been given a four month suspended sentence at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court for assaulting a team-mate. Footballer Joey Barton has been given a four month sentence suspended for two years at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court for assaulting a team-mate.
The 25-year-old midfielder, now with Newcastle United, repeatedly punched Ousmane Dabo who was on the floor during the attack at a training ground. The midfielder, now with Newcastle United, repeatedly punched Ousmane Dabo when they were both at Manchester City.
On Monday he admitted a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm when both were Manchester City players. Barton admitted a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm - he is currently serving a six-month jail term for another attack while on bail.
He is currently serving a six-month jail term for an attack while on bail. Newcastle United said it planned to meet with Barton to discuss his future.
During the attack for which he was jailed he punched a man in Liverpool. Discussions planned
A statement on the club's website said: "The club now intends to hold discussions with Joey and his representatives at the earliest possible opportunity.
"Until such time that this meeting has taken place, there will be no further comment from the club."
You are constantly in the public eye. Being an idol brings with it responsibilities which you have to carry with you all the time Judge Mushtaq Khokhar
During the attack for which 25-year-old Barton was jailed he punched a man in Liverpool.
For this latest incident, which happened in May, he has also been ordered to carry out 200 hours community service and must pay £3,000 compensation to Dabo as well as footing the prosecution costs.For this latest incident, which happened in May, he has also been ordered to carry out 200 hours community service and must pay £3,000 compensation to Dabo as well as footing the prosecution costs.
On sentencing him, Judge Mushtaq Khokhar said: "As a professional footballer you are someone who is talented and greatly idolised by young and old alike whether you are playing at Manchester City and now at Newcastle United.
"You are constantly in the public eye. You have a high profile, there would be instances of provocations ... being an idol brings with it responsibilities which you have to carry with you all the time.
"You want to be setting an example, particularly to those who idolise you, particularly youngsters who look up to you."
The court heard that Liverpool-born Barton punched former Manchester City colleague Ousmane Dabo up to five times, leaving him unconscious and covered in blood on the ground.The court heard that Liverpool-born Barton punched former Manchester City colleague Ousmane Dabo up to five times, leaving him unconscious and covered in blood on the ground.
Knocked unconscious
He had claimed he acted in self-defence but changed his plea to guilty yesterday ahead of a scheduled trial in Manchester.He had claimed he acted in self-defence but changed his plea to guilty yesterday ahead of a scheduled trial in Manchester.
Ousmane Dabo now plays for Italian side Lazio
The pair clashed after a simmering row during a training session on 1 May 2007.
Dabo, 31, pushed Barton's shoulder and was knocked unconscious.
Eyewitnesses recalled Barton getting on top of the player and repeatedly hitting him.
Dabo was treated in hospital for the effects of head trauma, an inflamed eye and bruised eyelids.
He also suffered from headaches for three weeks and missed several matches.
Barton was sold by Manchester City to Newcastle United in a £5.8m deal last summer, signing a five-year contract.Barton was sold by Manchester City to Newcastle United in a £5.8m deal last summer, signing a five-year contract.
His club has said it will not be commenting on the case.
'Explosive' violence'Explosive' violence
Richard Vardon, prosecuting, described the incident at City's Carrington training ground as an "explosive combination of football and violence".Richard Vardon, prosecuting, described the incident at City's Carrington training ground as an "explosive combination of football and violence".
Advertisement It is the third time Barton was in court during 2008.
A judge has released footage of a previous assault for which Barton was jailed
The two players apparently rowed on the training pitch and Dabo, 31, pushed Barton away as he swore at him.
Barton retaliated punching him in the head and causing Dabo to lose consciousness.
Witnesses were due to give evidence saying they saw Barton continue to punch his team-mate as he lay dazed on the ground.
It is the third time Barton has been in court during 2008.
In May he was jailed for the Liverpool attack which was caught on CCTV.In May he was jailed for the Liverpool attack which was caught on CCTV.
Later that month he was cleared of vandalising a taxi on a night out in Merseyside.Later that month he was cleared of vandalising a taxi on a night out in Merseyside.
After Barton admitted the training ground assault on Monday, police released CCTV footage of the Liverpool attack for which he was jailed.
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A judge has released footage of a previous assault for which Barton was jailed