Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton arrives at court to face trial for allegedly grabbing wife

Former Premier League star Joey Barton arrived at court today to answer allegations he assaulted his wife.

The Bristol Rovers manager and former Newcastle player, 39, is accused of assaulting Georgia McNeil by beating at a property in Kew, south-west London on June 2 last year.

He allegedly kicked her in the head and left her with a head injury and bloody nose at a property where they had been with friends.

Barton, of Widnes, Cheshire, married his wife three years ago at a lavish venue in Oxfordshire.

He denies the claims and says the alleged assault did not happen.

The former midfielder played more than 250 Premier League games for Newcastle United, Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers.

He began managing League One side Fleetwood Town in 2018, before moving to Bristol Rovers in February this year, shortly before the club were relegated to League Two.

The alleged attack is claimed to have taken place two days before the couple marked their second anniversary.

At a pre-trial hearing in July, Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard how Barton allegedly grabbed his wife by the throat and kicked her in the head during an altercation outside the Kew property, where they had been with two friends.

She was left with a bloody nose following the alleged attack and then called the police and asked for her husband to be removed from the property.

Barton allegedly became 'quite angry' while discussing a family-related matter, said prosecutor Nahiedh Khan.

'He grabbed the throat of Mrs Barton, and this caused her to move backwards, falling to the floor.'

Barton allegedly kicked his wife to the right side of her temple 'resulting in a half golf ball sized bruise on the right side of her temple,' said Ms Khan.

The former footballer denied he was violent towards his wife.

Mrs Khan told the court: 'On 2 June at about 11.30pm in the evening, Mr Barton is with his wife Georgia Barton and they were talking to friends outside the property while they were having a small party together.

'These two friends witnessed the incident and refused to provide further information other than what was seen in the body worn footage.'

She continued: 'Mrs Barton suffered a half golf ball-sized bruise on the side of the head.

Richard Derby, defending, requested a case management hearing before the trial.

He said: 'Categorically, this incident did not happen. There was no assault..'

Barton made 269 Premier League appearances for Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers and Burnley during his playing career. He was also capped once for England in February 2007.

He became manager of League One side Fleetwood Town in 2018 before taking over League Two club Bristol Rovers earlier this year.

Rovers released a short statement after Barton was charged.

It read: 'The football club is aware of the court hearing involving Manager Joey Barton, scheduled to take place on Monday, 26th July.

'As there are legal proceedings pending, the club is unable to make further comment at this current time.'