Former Premier League footballer and Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton appeared in court today after being charged with assault on June 2.

Barton, 38, pleaded not guilty to assault by beating at Wimbledon magistrates court this morning.

He was charged with assaulting his wife, who suffered a head injury at a party in Kew last month.

Prosecutor Nahiedh Khan said Mr Barton was angered by a family-related matter when he grabbed her by the throat and kicked her in the head.

She said: "He grabbed the throat of Mrs Barton, and this caused her to move backwards, falling to the floor.

"Once on the floor, he is then said to have kicked her in the head, resulting in a half-golf-ball-sized bruise on the right side of her temple.

"She can't remember what happened directly, but afterwards she got up and realised her nose was bleeding."

Barton, who has been on bail since his initial arrest on the day of the incident, claimed that his wife had exaggerated what happened and had been "drinking heavily".

His solicitor Richard Derby said: "The issues in this case are, categorically, this incident did not happen.

"There was no assault."

According to the Evening Standard, Prosecutor Khan said Barton and his wife had travelled to London for a short break, and went to the home of friends for a small gathering.

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