English soccer star jailed for assault

LIVERPOOL, England, May 20 (UPI) -- English soccer star Joey Barton was sentenced to six months in jail Tuesday for assaulting two men after a post-Christmas drinking bout.

The assault was captured by security cameras outside a MacDonald's restaurant in Liverpool. At the time, Barton was out on bail awaiting trial for assaulting Ousmane Dabo while the two players were both with Manchester City.

"You were on bail and if ever there was a time when you should have been on your best behavior, this was it," said Judge Henry Globe, the recorder of Liverpool. "You have a high profile image as a footballer but you drank to excess and put yourself in a vulnerable position late at night."

Barton, a midfielder was Newcastle United, was sidelined by an injury when he went out drinking with his cousin, Nadine Wilson, and his younger brother, Andrew, the day after Christmas. After hours of drinking, the three went to a MacDonald's where the altercation occurred.

Barton is to go on trial this month for the Dabo assault.