Ex-Premier League midfielder Joey Barton appears in court accused of a violent assault at a Merseyside golf club that prosecutors say could leave the victim blind in one eye.
Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been remanded in custody after appearing before Liverpool Magistrates’ Court charged with grievous bodily harm with intent following an alleged assault at a Merseyside golf club in which prosecutors say the complainant may suffer permanent loss of sight in one eye.
Barton, 43, appeared alongside co-defendant Gary O’Grady, 50, of Seel Road, Huyton, who faces the same allegation. Both men are jointly charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Kevin Lynch with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
Prosecutor Chelsea Kearns told the court that police were called to Huyton and Prescot Golf Club shortly after 21:00 GMT on Sunday following reports that a man had been assaulted.
The complainant, Kevin Lynch, 51, was taken to hospital where he remains under medical treatment.
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The court heard that the incident is alleged to have taken place at the golf club in the Knowsley area. Merseyside Police confirmed officers attended the scene after reports of an assault and that the injured man was taken to hospital for assessment of serious head and body injuries.
Neither defendant was asked to enter a plea during the magistrates’ court hearing. It was stated to the court that both men “vehemently deny” the allegation.
District Judge James Hatton refused Barton’s application for bail and ordered that he be remanded in custody pending further proceedings.
O’Grady was granted conditional bail. The court ordered that he must not enter Huyton and Prescot Golf Club and must not contact either the complainant or a named witness.
Barton appeared in the dock wearing a blue jumper, grey sweatpants and black-framed glasses. He showed no visible reaction as the district judge ordered that he be remanded in custody.
Both defendants are due to appear before Liverpool Crown Court on 7 April for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Court documents identify the complainant as Kevin Lynch, a former non-league football manager who has held roles at several clubs including Prescot Cables F.C., Marine A.F.C. and City of Liverpool F.C..
Lynch has also previously managed Colwyn Bay F.C. and most recently had a brief spell in charge of City of Liverpool FC in the Northern Premier League West Division.
Outside football, Lynch is understood to be the founder and headteacher of NexGen Academy in Dovecot, a school providing education for children with additional needs. He is also reported to be a member of Huyton and Prescot Golf Club, where the alleged incident is said to have occurred.
Police investigations continued at the location following the reported assault, with officers maintaining a cordon at the site while further enquiries were carried out.
Separately, Barton’s arrest was referenced earlier the same day during a hearing at the High Court in London concerning a libel claim involving former England international Eni Aluko. At this hearing, Barton was ordered to pay former England international Eni Aluko £339,000 in damages and legal costs after settling a libel claim relating to a series of posts on X, with the court recording that he had accepted his publications formed part of a campaign of harassment.
Ms Aluko’s Barrister Gervase de Wilde told the court that his instructing solicitor had received a call from a duty solicitor at a Liverpool police station shortly before proceedings began.
De Wilde said: “Mr Barton was arrested yesterday and is currently being held in custody.”
Barton, who was born in Huyton, made 269 appearances in the Premier League during his playing career, including 130 for Manchester City F.C.. He also played for Newcastle United F.C., Queens Park Rangers F.C. and Burnley F.C., and had a spell in Scotland with Rangers F.C..
He earned one senior international cap for England and retired from professional football in 2017 before moving into coaching and media work.
The criminal proceedings against Barton and O’Grady remain ongoing and the allegations have not been proved.
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