Joey Barton Denied Bail 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 in Cheshire, is accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch, 51, during an incident on Fairway in Huyton on 8 March. Barton denies the charge.

The alleged attack is said to have followed a drinking session involving Barton and Lynch 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.

Last week at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge David Potter pushed Barton's trial date back a full year, adjourning it to 8 March 2027. That decision already meant a long wait. Monday’s hearing made it even starker: Barton will not be released in the meantime.

Appearing via videolink from HMP Liverpool and dressed in a grey zip-up fleece, Barton watched on as his renewed application for bail was turned down by Judge Potter. He nodded as the judge ordered that he be remanded in custody.

A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for 11 December, with the full trial expected to last two weeks.

Barton, who won a single England cap, built a high-profile playing career with spells at Man City, Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley and Marseille. Now, instead of preparing teams or punditry notes, he faces a long wait in prison for a trial that will scrutinise one night, one allegation, and its lasting consequences.