Bowyer lawyer condemns court case

The summons follows an incident in Newcastle's defeat to Aston Villa

The lawyer of England international footballer Lee Bowyer has condemned a decision to summon him to appear in court over an on-pitch clash.

Northumbria Police said the player had been summonsed following an incident involving Newcastle United team mate Kieron Dyer in April.

Lawyer Steve Barker said the decision was a waste of taxpayers' money for a relatively minor offence.

Mr Bowyer will appear at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.

He is due to answer a summons under the Public Order Act.

'Very upset'

Mr Barker said his client had already been fined £228,000 by Newcastle United, a further £30,000 by the Football Association and hit with a seven-match suspension.

He said: "Why should we spend taxpayers' money prosecuting him for a relatively minor offence when he has already received those penalties?

"It was an eight second incident and if it happened in the street I don't think any policeman would prosecute."

Mr Barker said that the footballer, who will not be making any comment, was "very upset" by the summons.

The lawyer also said his client would fight any prosecution.

Mr Barker told BBC Radio Five Live: "It's our intention to have the decision to prosecute him reviewed judicially in the High Court."