This Joey Barton sentence

I’m a little confused here. Joey Barton is convicted of assault for an offence which took place around Christmas 2007, and receives a six month sentence, which in all probability will be reduced by over half, so he could get out by the start of next season.

Not knowing how the legal system works here, can Barton or his lawyers get to pick the date of the trial knowing he will, more than likely, get a short custodial sentence which coincides with the football close season?

Or is this just a very cynical view of the timing?

Posted By: KentonCanary, May 21, 09:16:15