Toucan

Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has been given a four-month suspended sentence after admitting attacking a former team-mate.

Barton, 25, pleaded guilty to repeatedly punching Ousmane Dabo during a training ground altercation while they were both playing for Manchester City last year.

Yesterday, the England international admitted a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

In handing down the sentence, the judge branded Barton's behaviour as "disgraceful" and told Barton he has "a responsibility to act as a role model" given his profession.

But the judge added he is satisfied Barton's rehabilitation is "already underway" and decided against a custodial sentence.

Barton is currently serving a six-month jail term after being found guilty of assault during a fight in Liverpool city centre on Boxing Day last year.

However, he is expected to be released from prison within the next three to ten days with an electronictag.

Barton has been in court three times already this year. In May, he was cleared of vandalising a taxi on a night out in Merseyside.

After the sentencing, Newcastle United released the following brief statement: "Newcastle United notes the sentence passed to Joey Barton at Manchester's Minshull Street crown court today.

"The club now intends to hold discussions with Joey and his representatives at the earliest possible opportunity."

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