Premiership footballer Joey Barton freed on bail after all

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The 25-year-old Newcastle United and England midfielder, who is facing charges of actual bodily harm and affray, has been in custody since he was arrested on December 27.

Following an hour-long hearing in chambers before Judge David Swift at Liverpool Crown Court, Barton was told he can be freed from Liverpool Prison.

No conditions of bail were released by the court.

Barton's solicitor Daniel Weed said: "Mr Joseph Barton has been granted bail with conditions until he appears at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on January 16."

Earlier today the Newcastle midfielder Barton had been told he would be remaining in jail after a court refused to grant him bail.

The 25-year-old appeared before Liverpool magistrates charged with assault and affray.

Barton, of Foxbank Close, Widnes, Cheshire, has been in custody since he was arrested in the early hours of December 27 in Liverpool city centre.

The footballer appeared via video link from Liverpool Prison dressed in a grey prison issue jumper and jeans.

During the hearing the midfielder - with one cap for England - stood and listened as the assault charge against him was upped from a Section 39 common assault to a Section 47 assault - actual bodily harm.

It has been alleged that Barton and a group of friends were involved in two seperate, early morning incidents following a row with another group inside a McDonald's restaurant in Liverpool.

Barton will stand trial at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on 16 January.

Barton's career has been plagued by a series of disciplinary problems.

In July 2005, Barton was sent home from Manchester City's tour of Thailand after a bar fight with a teenage Everton fan.

He was released on bail after allegedly attacking former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo on the training ground in May.

He was fined six weeks wages in 2004 for putting a lit cigar into the eye of a young team-mate, Jamie Tandy, at City's Christmas party.