Joey Barton Denies Assault Allegation Outside Liverpool Golf Club
Former Premier League midfielder Joey Barton has firmly denied assaulting a man outside a golf club in Liverpool. The 43-year-old appeared via videolink from HMP Liverpool for a plea hearing at Liverpool Crown Court.
Details of the Alleged Incident
Barton, renowned for his career at Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Rangers, faces a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent against 51-year-old Kevin Lynch on 8 March. Barton denied the charge during the hearing.
His co-defendant, 50-year-old Gary O’Grady, was not required to enter a plea at this stage.
Background on the Incident
Earlier court proceedings revealed that Barton, O’Grady, and Mr. Lynch had been drinking together at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club in Liverpool prior to the alleged attack. Mr. Lynch, a former non-league football manager and founder of the NexGen Academy, a special education school, reportedly sustained serious eye injuries during the incident.
Upcoming Trial Information
Judge Andrew Menary KC, honorary recorder of Liverpool, scheduled the trial to begin on 1 September. The proceedings are expected to last seven days.
Joey Barton, who earned one cap for England during his football career, has been remanded in custody. Meanwhile, the court renewed conditional bail for O’Grady.
