Joey Barton "kicked wife in head" after downing "four or five" bottles of wine

Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton "kicked his wife in the head" causing a "golf ball-sized lump" on her head after drinking "four or five bottles of wine", a court heard.

The 39-year-old allegedly pushed over his wife Georgia and kicked her in the head at their house in Kew, south west London on June 2 last year. Barton denies assault and was facing trial at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court today (Friday) - but it was adjourned after an application by Barton's barrister Simon Csoka QC.

Prosecutor Helena Duong said the couple, who were entertaining friends including another couple, were said to have gotten into a drunken argument over "families". She said Barton is alleged to have pushed his wife over and kicked her in the head.

Ms Duong said: "The prosecution case is brought on the 999 call and body worn footage. On the evening of 2 June Mrs Barton called 999 at 11.14pm and says that she has just been hit in her house by her husband.

"She asks for the police officers to attend urgently. At 11.38pm the police officers attend and speak to her outside. She's waiting with another friend and another couple in the background as well. She says she had gotten into a drunken fight, the disagreement was about families, with her husband.

"She says she was 'pushed down and kicked about and stuff.' She said 'he has got my head and pushed me down and he kicked me on my head'. An injury to the head is described by officers as a lump the size of a golf ball.

She confirms that's where she was kicked in the head by her husband. When she touches it there's some blood on her hand that appears to have come from a bloody nose."

Barton, who gave an address to the court in Widnes, Cheshire, was said to be asleep upstairs when police arrived and was "still intoxicated" when he was arrested.

Barton retired from playing in 2018 upon joining Fleetwood, having previously represented Burnley at the end of a career which had seen him feature for Manchester City, Newcastle and Queens Park Rangers, among others.

Barton has been in charge at League One side Bristol Rovers since last February. During his career he also made one appearance for England in a friendly against Spain in 2007. He will next appear at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on June 23.