Ex-Premier League footballer Joey Barton denies alleged assault outside golf club

Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton has denied assaulting a man outside a golf club.

Barton, 43, appeared via videolink from HMP Liverpool for the plea hearing at Liverpool Crown Court.

The former Manchester City, Newcastle United and Rangers midfielder denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch, 51, on 8 March.

His co-defendant, Gary O'Grady, 50, was not asked to enter a plea to the charge.

An earlier court hearing was told the defendants had been drinking with Mr Lynch at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club, Liverpool, before the alleged attack.

Mr Lynch, a former non-league football manager and founder of NexGen Academy, a special education school, was said to have suffered serious injuries to his eye.

Honorary recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary KC, set a trial date for 1 September.

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The trial is expected to last seven days.

Barton, who won one England cap, was remanded in custody and the judge renewed conditional bail for O'Grady.

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