Footballer Joey Barton to spend New Year in a cell as court refuses bail

Shamed footballer Joey Barton will spend New Year behind bars after he was remanded in custody yesterday over an alleged street fight.

The Newcastle United player was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday outside a 24-hour McDonalds following an all-night drinking session in Liverpool.

The incident could see the £45,000-a-week midfielder sacked. Sources at Newcastle said the club was examining his contract to see whether it could be terminated in light of his arrest.

Magistrates were told yesterday that Barton, 25, "snapped and lashed out" after being goaded by other diners at the McDonalds at around 5.30am. The confrontation continued outside.

Police were called after Barton was spotted on CCTV allegedly attacking two teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons. One of them was reportedly punched unconscious.

He was taken to hospital but has since been released.

Magistrates refused to grant Barton - whose half brother, Michael, 18, was convicted of the racist murder of Anthony Walker - bail after hearing details of two previous alleged assaults for which he is awaiting trial.

They remanded the Liverpoolborn player into custody until next Thursday, meaning he will miss two Premier League games for Newcastle.

On hearing the decision, Barton, who has made one substitute appearance for England, turned to a guard beside him and held his hands out to be cuffed.

Jayne Hughes, prosecuting, said Barton had been charged with common assault and affray. "The CCTV clearly shows Mr Barton involved in altercations with members of the public going about their business," she said.

"He was seen pacing around Church Street and lashing out indiscriminately at people walking around and standing around."

Barton's brother, Andrew, 19, was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and another woman, Nadine Wilson, 27, was charged with common assault and affray.

Newcastle declined to comment, although insiders said manager Sam Allardyce was "livid". Scroll down for more...

Refusing Barton, of Widnes, Cheshire, bail magistrate Carol Myers said: "I have to consider the safety of the public - you lashed out indiscriminately."

Barton is already awaiting trial for assault next year following a training ground clash with his former team-mate at Manchester City, Ousamane Dabo.

He is also due to appear in court in Liverpool next month on a charge of criminal damage following an argument with a taxi driver in 2005.