Joey Barton assault trial: Jury expected to start deliberations

A jury is due to be sent out to consider its verdict in the trial of Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton.

Barton is accused of assaulting former Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel following a League One football match in April 2019 - an offence he denies.

The 39-year-old, who was in charge of Fleetwood Town at the time, is said to have barged Mr Stendel at the South Yorkshire side's Oakwell Stadium, causing him to hit his face on a metal support.

The coach told the jury at Sheffield Crown Court he was walking down the tunnel after Barnsley’s 4-2 win when he was knocked over from behind.

He claimed he was knocked to the floor and hit the tunnel structure, injuring his face.

Barnsley performance analyst intern Nathan Kirby said he saw Barton run past him in the tunnel and shoulder barge Mr Stendel.

The jury of six women and five men have been shown video footage of Mr Stendel walking into the tunnel followed by Barton, jogging, moments later.

But giving evidence on December 2, Barton denied it was him who shoved Mr Stendel.

The jurors have also been shown mobile phone footage of part of the handshake between the two managers at the end of the match, which took place on April 13, 2019.

Mr Stendel said Barton was aggressive with his handshake and swore at him.

Barton admitted he used “industrial language” during the encounter but denied he had been “hostile and aggressive”.

The jury has heard how there were tensions between the two teams during the game and, at one point in the second half, Fleetwood Town’s assistant manager, Clint Hill, was booked by the referee.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC told the jury on December 2 that they would be sent out to consider their verdict sometime on December 3.

Barton, who is now Rovers manager, denies one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The trial continues.