Barton out of jail

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has been released from jail after being bailed by a judge, but is due to appear on January 16th. The court also decided that a charge of criminal damage against Barton, following an incident in a taxi in March 2005, will also be heard that day.

He, his brother and a friend, were arrested in Liverpool city centre in the early hours of Thursday morning following a complaint to police by city centre CCTV operators.

It is alleged the group were involved in two incidents following a confrontation at a McDonalds restaurant in Church Street, Liverpool, at 5.30am.

Barton was twice refused bail by Liverpool magistrates but Judge David Swift, sitting in chambers at Liverpool Crown Court, agreed bail earlier this afternoon.

Barton's solicitor Daniel Weed said: "Mr Joseph Barton has been granted bail with conditions until he appears at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on January 16."

Bail conditions were not revealed. Barton, wearing the black jumper he was arrested in, a grey top and jeans, left prison at 6pm.