Joey Barton Denied Bail, Remains in Custody Ahead of Trial for Alleged Assault

Former footballer Joey Barton will remain in custody until his trial next year after a bail application was refused. The 44-year-old was due to stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court last week, accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch, 51, at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club in Merseyside on March 8. However, the case was adjourned and delayed until March next year. Barton appeared over videolink from HMP Liverpool at a hearing on Monday, where Judge David Potter refused a renewed bail application. He nodded as the judge remanded him in custody ahead of a pre-trial hearing scheduled for December 11. Barton's trial will take place exactly a year after the alleged assault, meaning he will have spent 12 months on remand. Barton is accused of attacking Mr. Lynch after they had been drinking together at the golf club. Mr. Lynch, a former non-league football manager and founder of special education school NexGen Academy, reportedly suffered serious injuries to his eye. Last week, an application by Barton's counsel Tim Forte KC to adjourn the case to contact potential new witnesses was not opposed by prosecution counsel Alex Leach KC. Judge Potter noted that there were still 'intractable problems' preventing the trial from starting on September 1 and set a new date for March 8, 2027. Barton, who has one England cap, has played for clubs including Manchester City, QPR, Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley, and Marseille, and has also managed Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.