Joey Barton Denied Bail, Faces Trial in March

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

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 charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent over 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 bid thrown out

Barton's legal team, led by defence counsel Tim Forte KC, launched a fresh attempt to secure his release during an hour-long hearing on Monday, 7 October. The application was rejected.

Barton appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool, wearing a grey Columbia fleece and glasses, as the court was told he would remain in custody.

He has been held since his arrest, with The Mirror reporting that he has already spent six months on remand. With the trial now fixed for March and a key pre-trial hearing set for 11 December, Barton faces a full year in custody before a verdict is reached.

Judge David Potter told him: “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 December hearing is scheduled as a pre-trial review, with the full trial expected to last up to two weeks.

Trial date locked in

Barton had previously appeared in courtroom 42 on Wednesday, 2 September — his 44th birthday — when the case was adjourned and he was further remanded.

On that occasion, he was in the dock in a navy blue suit and tie, blue shirt, glasses and short greying hair as Judge Potter formally set 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.

Night at golf club under scrutiny

The court has heard that Lynch had been socialising with Barton at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club on 8 March, shortly before the alleged assault.

Lynch, a former non-league manager who has taken charge of City of Liverpool, Marine and Prescot Cables, was said to have been found covered in blood on Fairway, near the entrance to the club.

Away from football, Lynch 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 has most recently been known for hosting a podcast, his playing and managerial career having already moved into the rear-view mirror.

The next move in his story will not come on a touchline or in a studio, but back in the dock in December — and then, crucially, when a jury finally convenes in March.