Convicted footballer who had cigar stubbed on eye by Joey Barton blames attack for downward spiral

A former footballer who had a cigar stubbed out on his eye by Joey Barton has been spared jail.

Ex-Man City player Jamie Tandy, 31, was given a suspended 18-month jail term after admitting assaulting his girlfiend.

He assaulted his partner Lisa Stewart, throttling and punching her in the face, along with throwing a mobile phone in her eye.

At a previous hearing at Manchester Crown Court, Tandy blamed his downward spiral on former teammate Barton, who stubbed a cigar out in his eye at Manchester City’s Christmas party in 2004.

The well-publicised incident resulted in “exceptionally talented” Tandy “being cast aside”, his lawyer claimed last December.

Joey Barton during his time at Queens Park Rangers. Photo: John Walton/PA Wire.

Darren Prescott, representing Tandy, told the court his client’s career went into freefall and he was eventually released from the Premier League giants and battled booze and gambling addictions.

He said Tandy lost his home and twice tried to commit suicide as he faced debts of up to £30,000. Read More>