Soccer bad boy Joey Barton has been sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty to assaulting a teenager during a boozy night out.
Barton, 25 admitted charges of affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in an early hours bust-up in Liverpool city centre on December, 27, last year.
The Newcastle United star was caught by CCTV cameras staggering through the streets getting involved in two separate altrecations around Christmas time last year.
The footy ace's brother Andrew Barton, 20, was sentenced to a four month custodial sentence suspended for two years.
Their cousin Nadine Wilson, 27 - described as aggressive by the judge - recieved a six month sentence, suspended for two years plus 100 hours community service respectively.
Wearing a light grey suit, Joey Barton sat stoney-faced in the dock as the sentence was passed before standing up to kiss his teary brother and distraught cousin on the cheeks.
Barton, who earns #50,000 a week then handed a ring, a mobile phone and his wallet to a friend in the public gallery before being led away to the cells.
Before the sentence, Judge Henry Globe QC was handed a character reference from Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan claiming Barton was a "changed man."
Liverpool Crown court also heard how the Newcastle star claimed to his cousin 'I'm a lover, not a fighter' minutes before he unleashed the frenzied attack on two unsuspecting teenagers.
Stuart Driver QC, defending, handed a personal letter of apology penned by the football ace to the judge.
He said: "Joey Barton is now 25-years-old and for the first time he is to be sentenced for violence.
"He is willing to take responsibility for what he did and he pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity he had.
"Joey did what he did because he was provoked by violent actions and words.
"Joey is a very well known footballer and their images are burned on to the public's memory.
"When he is in public people stop, stare, approach, tag along, some friendly, some abusive.
"People drinking, think they can say what they want to him, there is no obscenity he has not heard.
"He has been called every name wearing a football shirt.
"It doesn't matter how big his profile is, the most sensitive subject for anyone is their family.
"Joey's family fragmented when he was young. his brothers went with their mum and he lived with his dad.
"Nadine lived on the same street, she was like a sister to him - if she is hurt he feels it."
Continuing with his address to the court, QC Driver referred to CCTV footage of Joey Barton on the night of the assault.
He continued: "Even on the CCTV footage Joey is head shouting: "Nobody has got the right to talk to a woman like that."
"Joey was even heard on the footage telling Nadine that he was a "lover not a fighter."
"In 2005 his brother was convicted of a shameful crime.
"Joey was blameless of that incident but people don't see it that way, they hurl this fact at him when they are drunk.
"On the night, all three defendants received very pointed, penetrating abuse.
"Joey eventually turned angry at the abuse - it was the last straw and he snapped.
"He lost his temper and lashed out, a flurry of punches in a short time.
"After the first attack Joey didn't have time to calm down and just moment later he thought he had seen someone hit his cousin.
"Joey reacted and lashed out at young Jordan and was rightly arrested by police.
"I ask the court to take care with Jordan Spencer being only 16, he considered himself big enough and old enough to be drinking at 5:30am in the city centre.
"The boy revelled in the atmosphere and chose to follow the argument.
"Joey now knows the age of the person and is embarrassed by what he did."
But speaking to the court on behalf of the prosecution, Ian Harris described Joey's attack on an innocent victim.
Mr Harris said: "Roughly before 5:30am CCTV cameras picked up two groups outside a Primark store in Liverpool city centre.
"An unknown male made offensive gestures towards Nadine Wilson.
"Joey Barton punched the man to the ground.
"Continuing the attack Barton straddled the man punching him four or five times while he was on the floor.
"Breaking through a restraint from his brother Barton dealt a flurry of 14 or 15 blows at the man who had his back turned.
"The unknown victim managed to get up and walk away.
"Moments later Joey Barton turned his attention to the innocent 16-year-old Jordan Spencer.
"The prosecution is not doubting Joey Barton was riled by earlier obscene comments but his actions were totally unacceptable."
Passing sentence Judge Henry Globe QC said: "I am entirely satisfied that a custodial sentence is justified for each of you.
"Joey Barton, you are 25-years-old and have not been convicted of violence in the past.
"Your charge is the most serious, you delivered many blows and at the time on bail for a previous offence.
"If there was ever a time you should have behaved it was then.
"You have a high profile image and you drank to access and acted in a disgraceful and extremely violent manner.
"I have taken into consideration references from people in various positions of authority but the gravity of your offending fits a custodial sentence."
Barton was also ordering to pay #2,500 compensation to 16-year-old Jordan Spencer to repair the teenager's two front teeth, which were knocked lose in the attack.
Barton, who has been capped for England once, admitted the charges last month but reporting restrictions were today lifted at Liverpool Crown Court.
His lawyers had argued that releasing details could prejudice a jury in a separate assault trial Barton faces for an alleged assault on his former Manchester City team mate Ousmane Dabo.
Barton has pleaded not guilty to charges relating to a training ground incident which is alleged to have taken place in May last year.
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