Joey Barton Remains in Custody 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, is accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch, 51, during an alleged incident on 8 March this year at Fairway, Huyton. Barton denies the charge.

Trial pushed back, bail shut down

The case returned to Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, where Barton appeared over videolink from HMP Liverpool, dressed in a grey zip-up fleece. Facing Judge David Potter once again, he heard his renewed application for bail turned down.

He nodded as the judge ordered that he be remanded in custody, meaning he will stay in prison until at least the start of his trial. That trial had already been pushed back last week, when Judge Potter adjourned proceedings to 8 March 2027. It is expected to last two weeks.

Before that, a pre-trial hearing has been set for 11 December.

Alleged attack after golf club drinking

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

Barton, who won a single England cap and played for Man City, Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley and Marseille, now faces a long wait in custody before a jury hears the full case.