DOUBLE UPDATE - Because he pleaded guilty yesterday, Judge Mushtaq Khokhar handed Barton a four month SUSPENDED sentence and ordered the as-of-now Newcastle midfielder to carry out an unspecified amount of community service.

Wonder if Dabo is going to go after Barton’s wallet just a bit more considering the injustice he’s probably feeling today?

UPDATE – Joey Barton has pleaded GUILTY to one count of causing bodily harm in the May 2007 incident and will be formally charged Tuesday morning after placing the plea just before the trial started.

Barton is already serving a six month sentence (which started in May 0f 2008) after pleading guilty to charges of assault and affray over an incident in McDonald’s in Liverpool back in December of 2007.

With the guilty plea placed you know Dabo will go after punitive damages, which he fully deserves.

I’ve seen plenty of fights during practice, some of which spill over into everyday life but for this to hit the courtroom is a bit surprising. It’s good to see that they’re are consequences for players and their actions.

Game time on Monday as Joey Barton is heading to court over last year’s assault of former Manchester City teammate Ousmane Dabo.

Former Man City coach Stuart Pearce and former defender Sylvain Distin are also expected to testify at the Manchester Crown Court over the training field incident that took place just over 13 months ago.

Will Barton be able to stay out of trouble this year after a so-so Newcastle campaign that already saw the northeast club threaten his wages?