Premier League's Joey Barton to be Sued for Stubbing Out his Cigar in a Young Player's Eye

Source from:  mirror.co.uk By Brian Roberts 16/08/2008 08/25/2008

Jailbird victim's legal action. Premiership thug Joey Barton is to be sued for stubbing out his cigar in a young player's eye. Barton, 25, just freed from prison after being jailed for assault, now faces a quick return to the courtroom. Jamie Tandy, now 23, was permanently scarred after the 2004 incident. It happened when midfielder Barton and the young reserve team player argued in a nightclub at Manchester City's Christmas party. Barton, now with Newcastle United, was fined three weeks' pay - £60,000 - and narrowly avoided the sack. Tandy, with no permanent vision damage, went on loan to a Danish club where he broke his leg. He was later released by City and believes the fracas sent him on a downward spiral in which tried to kill himself. The decision to sue Barton emerged at Manchester magistrates' court yesterday, where Tandy was bailed on drink-driving charges. Tandy, now employed by a window cleaning firm, said legal action "has been a long time coming", adding: "I don't see why he should get off scotfree while I'm left with nothing." His solicitor Matthew Clayton said Tandy suffered a "major psychiatric deterioration" after the assault which forced him out of professional game. Barton's agent Willie McKay said: "I only deal with football matters and do not wish to comment." Barton was jailed after assaulting a man in Liverpool and was also given a suspended sentence in July after admitting assaulting another player, Ousmane Dabo, during a Manchester City training session. Enditem