Disgraced footballer Joey Barton 'jumps red light and drives down bus lane to avoid traffic queues'

Disgraced footballer Joey Barton jumped a red light and undertook dozens of cars in a bus lane while driving to meet a probation officer, it was claimed today.

The bad-tempered Newcastle United star, who was recently freed from prison for assaulting a teenager, was allegedly filmed passing queuing motorists in his silver Range Rover yesterday.

The claims come as the cocky 26-year-old is due to appear before the FA for a hearing today after he attacked former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.

The midfielder, who three years ago broke a pedestrian’s leg while driving, seemed to smugly roar past no fewer than 14 ‘No Car’ signs to avoid heavy queues in Newcastle city centre.

The star, whose probation terms require him to be on his best behaviour, then sped through a red light in his flashy Range Rover Sport, the Daily Mirror reported.

Arrogance: Barton's Range Rover is seen zooming past 'No Car' markings

An outraged motorist who watched the disgusting display told the paper: ‘I couldn’t believe the arrogance.

‘Everyone else waited in the correct lane, but he went past us all. He deserves to lose his licence.

‘Newcastle have given him a second chance but it just shows he isn’t going to change – he still thinks he’s above the law.’

After a 35-minute trip he arrived at the probation services office and emerged 35 minutes later.

Superintendent Dave Wormald of Northumbria Police said: ‘We have not seen this tape and therefore we cannot comment.

Dangerous: His vehicle appears to travel through a red light in Newcastle

‘Anyone who commits a driving offence that is reported to us can be assured that we will take whatever action necessary.’

Joey Barton's agent claims the press has "hounded" his client.

Willie McKay, Barton's representative, said he was not aware of the details of
the incident but questioned the actions of the photographer who took the
pictures.

"Why are they following him? It is a disgrace. What would you do if people
followed you in a car?" he said.

"What is the guy meant to do? He doesn't know who is in the car, does he?"

The midfielder will appear before the Football Association today after admitting a charge of violent conduct towards midfielder Ousmane Dabo.

The former England star received a four-month suspended sentence for assaulting Dabo.

Victim Ousmane Dabo: 'It was a savage, unprovoked and... cowardly assault'

He has also spent 74 days in jail after being sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for assault and affray for a separate incident for assaulting Jordan Spencer, then aged 16, in the early hours of December 27 last year outside a Liverpool city centre McDonald’s.

Last month it emerged two of Barton’s past victims were taking legal action against him.

Solicitors for Jamie Tandy, 23, said he was suing Barton for allegedly wrecking his playing career by stubbing a lit cigar in his face.

Mr Tandy was a trainee with Manchester City at the time when Barton - who was a senior player and emerging star - attacked him during the 2004 Christmas party.

Mr Tandy claims he suffered a ‘major psychiatric deterioration’.

Barton has also been served with a claim from Mr Spencer and will next be dealt with on November 7 at Liverpool County Court.

As part of his punishment, Barton was ordered to pay £2,500 compensation to Mr Spencer, whose teeth were smashed in the attack.

But the 17-year-old felt the sum was insufficient and lodged the claim for damages.

Barton’s bid to return to the playing field has also been hampered by the resignation of Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan, who was one of his most outspoken supporters.

Joey Barton: A timeline of shame:

Vile: Barton drops his shorts at an Everton fan at match in September 2006

• May 2005: Ran over and broke the leg of a 35-year-old pedestrian at 2am in Liverpool.
• June 2005: Had spat with a 15-year-old Everton fan at Manchester City’s team hotel in Bangkok and fined by his club.
• Septermber 2006: Dropped his shorts at Everton fans at Goodison Park. Fined and warned by FA
• March 2007: Arrested on suspicion of trashing a taxi after the driver refused to wait at a McDonald’s in Liverpool. Later cleared after cousin Joshua Wilson, 19, confessed.
• May 2007: Assaults Ousmane Dabo in Manchester City training ground.
• Dec 2007: Caught on CCTV straddling and punching his victim repeatedly in the face in McDonald’s in Liverpool.
• May 2008: Jailed for six months for assault.