Former Premier League midfielder Joey Barton has had his renewed application for bail rejected, meaning he will stay behind bars until his trial is heard next year, a court has confirmed.
The 44-year-old had originally been scheduled to face trial at Liverpool crown court last week on a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The alleged victim, 51-year-old Kevin Lynch, a former non-league football manager who founded the NexGen Academy special education school, is said to have suffered serious eye injuries in the incident.
However, proceedings were adjourned last week, with the trial now pushed back to March of next year. Barton appeared at a subsequent hearing on Monday via video link from HMP Liverpool, dressed in a grey zip-up fleece. Judge David Potter turned down the bail request during that hearing, and Barton reportedly nodded as the ruling was delivered, accepting he would be remanded in custody.
A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for 11 December, ahead of the full trial. Because the new trial date falls almost exactly one year after the alleged offence took place, Barton will have spent a full 12 months in custody awaiting his day in court, having been arrested not long after the incident occurred.
The alleged assault is said to have taken place on 8 March at Fairway in Huyton, following a drinking session between Barton and Lynch at Huyton and Prescot golf club. Prosecutors allege that the attack left Lynch with significant injuries, including damage to one of his eyes.
Barton, who hails from Widnes in Cheshire, built a playing career that spanned several major clubs in English football and beyond. He came through the ranks and earned senior recognition at Manchester City before moving on to Newcastle United, QPR, Burnley, and a spell in France with Marseille, as well as a stint with Scottish giants Rangers. During his time as a professional, he also earned a single cap for the England national team.
Following his retirement from playing, Barton transitioned into management, taking charge of Fleetwood Town and later Bristol Rovers in the English Football League. His coaching career, however, has now been overshadowed by the ongoing legal proceedings stemming from the March incident.
With the case adjourned and bail refused, Barton's legal situation remains unresolved for the foreseeable future. He will continue to be held in custody as he awaits both the pre-trial hearing in December and the substantive trial next March, where the serious charge against him will be tested in court.
The case has drawn attention given Barton's profile in English football, both as a player known for a combative on-field style and controversies during his career, and later as a manager. The coming months will see further legal steps taken as the case progresses toward trial, with the December pre-trial hearing likely to address procedural matters ahead of the full proceedings.
No further details regarding the specifics of the alleged assault or additional evidence have been made public beyond what has been outlined in court so far. Barton's defense team has not issued any public statement regarding the bail refusal.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football.