Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton cleared of assaulting his wife after judge rules on fair trial

Barton, dressed in black, fled court after he was discharged before later leaving with his wife, who was wearing a pink trouser suit

Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton has been cleared of assaulting his wife (PA)

Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton has been cleared of assaulting his wife after a judge in the UK ruled he could not have a fair trial because prosecutors would not call the alleged victim to give evidence.

The former Premier League midfielder, 40, was accused of pushing Georgia Barton, 36, to the floor before kicking her during a drunken row at their home in in Kew, south-west London on June 2 last year.