Joey Barton: Former footballer to stay in custody ahead of assault trial next year

Former footballer Joey Barton is to remain in custody ahead of his trial next year after a bail application was refused.

Barton, 44, was last week due to stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to 51-year-old Kevin Lynch, at Fairway, Huyton, on 8 March this year.

But the case was adjourned on Wednesday and put back to March 2027.

Judge David Potter refused a renewed bail application on Monday when Barton, wearing a grey zip-up fleece, appeared over videolink from HMP Liverpool at a hearing.

The former Manchester City and QPR midfielder, of Widnes, Cheshire, nodded as the judge remanded him in custody before a pre-trial hearing on 11 December.

The trial will take place a year after the alleged assault, which means the defendant, who has one England cap, will have spent 12 months on remand.

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Barton is accused of attacking Mr Lynch after they had been drinking together at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.

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

Barton also played for Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley and Marseille.

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