Joey Barton Denied Bail Until 2027 Trial

Joey Barton will remain behind bars until his trial in 2027 after a judge refused his latest bid for bail.

The 44-year-old former midfielder, from Widnes, Cheshire, denies a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch, 51, in Fairway, Huyton, on 8 March.

At Liverpool Crown Court last week, Judge David Potter pushed the trial date back to 8 March 2027. With bail now refused, Barton will stay in custody until then.

The alleged attack is said to have happened after Barton had been drinking with Lynch at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club. Lynch, a former non-league manager and founder of special education school NexGen Academy, was reported to have suffered serious injuries to his eye.

Barton appeared via videolink from HMP Liverpool on Monday, dressed in a grey zip-up fleece, for the renewed bail application. Judge Potter rejected the application and remanded him in custody. Barton nodded as the decision was delivered.

A pre-trial hearing has been set for 11 December, with the trial itself expected to last two weeks.

Barton, who won one England cap, enjoyed a long playing career with Man City, Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley and Marseille. Now, instead of planning for the next touchline role, he faces a far more daunting date in court.