Joey Barton to remain in custody ahead of 2027 trial

Former footballer Joey Barton will remain in custody until his trial next year after a bail application was refused.

The 44-year-old, from Widnes, Cheshire, denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch, 51, at Fairway, Huyton, on 8 March.

Last week at Liverpool Crown Court Judge David Potter adjourned the trial to 8 March, 2027 - and Barton can now not be released in the meantime.

The attack is alleged to have taken place after Barton had been drinking with Lynch at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.

Lynch, a former non-league football manager and founder of special education school NexGen Academy, was said to have suffered serious injuries to his eye.

Barton, wearing a grey zip-up fleece, appeared over videolink from HMP Liverpool at a hearing on Monday, when Judge David Potter refused a renewed bail application.

He nodded as the judge remanded him in custody ahead of a pre-trial hearing on 11 December.

The trial itself is expected to last two weeks.

Barton has one England cap and also played for Man City, Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley and Marseille.

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