Joey Barton Remains in Custody Until March After Bail Denied

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

The 44-year-old, who played for Manchester City, Queens Park Rangers and won a single England cap, appeared via video link at Liverpool Crown Court from HMP Liverpool on Monday, October 7, as his legal team tried to secure his release.

Bail rejected, trial delayed

Defense counsel Tim Forte KC argued for Barton's bail during an hour-long hearing, but the application was turned down. Barton, wearing a grey Columbia fleece and glasses on the video link, listened as Judge David Potter ruled he must remain in custody.

“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,” the judge told him.

That December hearing will serve as a pre-trial review, with the full trial now fixed for March 8 next year and expected to run for up to two weeks. The case had originally been due to start last week before being adjourned.

The delay means Barton is staring at a full year behind bars on remand. He has already spent six months in custody and now faces at least another six before a jury hears the evidence.

Grievous bodily harm charge

Barton is charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent following an alleged serious assault in March. The alleged victim, Kevin Lynch, 51, was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition, reportedly suffering injuries to his face and ribs.

The court previously heard that Lynch had been socialising with Barton at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club on March 8 before the alleged incident. Lynch, a former non-league manager, was said to have been found covered in blood on Fairway, near the entrance to the club.

Lynch has managed City of Liverpool, Marine and Prescot Cables, and away from the touchline founded NexGen Academy in Dovecot. He serves as headteacher at a school there for children with additional needs.

Former midfielder held on remand

Barton, originally from Huyton and now living at Fox Bank Close in Widnes, has remained in custody since his arrest, according to The Mirror. Before his detention he had most recently been hosting a podcast.

He last appeared in person in courtroom 42 on Wednesday, September 2 – his 44th birthday – wearing a navy blue suit, tie and blue shirt, with short greying hair. On that occasion, Judge Potter adjourned the case and remanded him back into custody, later confirming the March 8 trial date.

Addressing Barton directly, the judge said: “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 former top-flight midfielder, once known for his combative presence in the centre of the pitch, now faces the most serious contest of his life from a prison cell, waiting for a jury to decide what happened on that night in March.