Joey Barton Denied Bail, Faces Trial for Assault in March

Joey Barton will spend Christmas behind bars at HMP Liverpool after a judge refused his latest bid for bail, leaving the former Premier League midfielder facing up to a year in custody before his trial even begins.

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, Queens Park Rangers and won a single England cap, has been held in custody since his arrest. According to The Mirror, he has already served six months on remand and now faces at least another six before a jury hears the case.

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

Barton appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool, wearing a grey Columbia fleece and glasses, listening as his hopes of release over the festive period disappeared.

Judge David Potter was unequivocal.

“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,” he told the former midfielder.

That December hearing will serve as a pre-trial review. The full trial is expected to last up to two weeks, starting on 8 March.

A delayed trial and a long wait

The latest hearing followed an earlier appearance in courtroom 42 on Wednesday, 2 September – Barton's 44th birthday – when the case was adjourned and he was further remanded.

On that occasion, he appeared in the dock in a navy blue suit and tie, blue shirt, glasses and short, greying hair, as Judge Potter confirmed the timetable.

“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,” the judge said.

With the adjournment, the length of time Barton will have spent in prison before his trial could reach a full year, split between the six months already served and the further six months until March.

Night at the golf club before alleged assault

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

Lynch was later reportedly found covered in blood on Fairway, close to the entrance of the club.

He has strong roots in Merseyside football, having managed City of Liverpool, Marine and Prescot Cables. Away from the touchline, he founded NexGen Academy in Dovecot and works as headteacher at a school for children with additional needs.

Barton, originally from Huyton, now lives at Fox Bank Close in Widnes and had most recently been hosting a podcast before his arrest.

The next key date is 11 December. After that, all roads lead to 8 March, when a jury will finally be asked to decide what happened on that night at the golf club.