Joey Barton Denied Bail, Faces March Trial for Assault Charges

Joey Barton will spend Christmas behind bars after a judge refused his latest bid for bail, leaving the former Premier League midfielder in custody at HMP Liverpool until at least March.

The 44-year-old was due to stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court last week, but the case has been pushed back to 8 March next year. He is accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent following an alleged serious assault in March.

The alleged victim, 51-year-old Kevin Lynch, was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition, having reportedly suffered injuries to his face and ribs.

Bail rejected as Barton watches on from prison

Barton, who played for Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers and won a single England cap, has been held in custody since his arrest, as reported by The Mirror.

On Monday 7 October, his barrister Tim Forte KC mounted an hour-long application for bail. It failed.

Barton appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool, wearing a grey Columbia fleece and glasses, as the court was told he would remain behind bars.

Judge David Potter was clear: “Mr Barton, your case will next be mentioned on December the 11th. In the meantime, you are remanded in custody through to the next date.”

That December hearing will serve as a pre-trial review. The full trial is expected to last up to two weeks, meaning Barton faces the prospect of spending around a year in custody before a verdict is reached — six months already served and a further six-month wait until March.

Trial date fixed for March

Barton had previously appeared in courtroom 42 on Wednesday 2 September, his 44th birthday, when the case was adjourned and he was further remanded.

On that occasion he was in the dock in person, wearing glasses, a navy suit and tie with a blue shirt, his hair cut short and greying. Judge Potter addressed him directly: “Mr Barton, I have now fixed your trial to take place on Monday, the 8th of March. In the meantime, you are remanded in custody.”

Night at golf club before alleged assault

Earlier hearings were told that Lynch, a former non-league manager, had been socialising with Barton at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club on 8 March before the alleged assault.

Lynch, who has managed City of Liverpool, Marine and Prescot Cables, was said to have been found covered in blood on Fairway, near the entrance to the club.

Away from football, he founded NexGen Academy in Dovecot and works as headteacher at a school for children with additional needs.

Barton, originally from Huyton and now living at Fox Bank Close in Widnes, has most recently been known for hosting a podcast. Instead of a studio microphone, his next few months will be framed by the walls of HMP Liverpool as he waits for a jury to decide his fate in March.