Joey Barton: Prosecutors call for domestic abuse trial to resume

District Judge Andrew Sweet adjourned the case and paused criminal proceedings in October 2022, claiming it would “be unfair for Mr Barton to be tried”.

However, barristers are now saying a fair trial is “possible”.

Tom Little KC, representing the DPP, said that pausing proceedings was a “last resort” and the case should be allowed to resume.

Simon Csoka KC, representing the former footballer, said prosecutors made a “deliberate decision” to ask police not to speak to Ms Barton about her evidence and that refusing to interview or call her as a witness was an “unfair tactic”.

But, Tom Little KC, representing the DPP, said in written submissions: “The prosecution, consistent with its policy on prosecuting domestic abuse cases, had to strike a sensitive and careful balance between the expressed interests of Georgia Barton and the public interest in prosecuting cases of alleged domestic violence.”

Dame Victoria Sharp and Mr Justice Saini will give their judgment at a later date.