Barton leaves jail

Footballer Joey Barton was freed from jail tonight after bail was granted by a judge in England.

The 25-year-old Newcastle and England midfielder, who is facing charges of actual bodily harm and affray, has been in custody since he was arrested on December 27.

Following an hour-long hearing in chambers before Judge David Swift at Liverpool Crown Court, Barton was told he could be freed from Liverpool’s Walton Prison.

No conditions of bail were released by the court and at exactly 6pm Barton left the jail.

He was collected by his solicitor Daniel Weed and Peter Kay, the chief executive of the Sporting Chance Clinic in Hampshire.

Members of Barton’s family were also waiting in cars outside the jail.

Weed said earlier: “Mr Joseph Barton has been granted bail with conditions until he appears at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on January 16.”