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 8 March at Fairway in Huyton. Barton denies the charge.

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 manager and founder of special education school NexGen Academy, is 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 over videolink from HMP Liverpool and dressed in a grey zip-up fleece, Barton watched as Judge Potter rejected a renewed bail application. He nodded as the judge remanded him in custody ahead of a pre-trial hearing set for 11 December.

The trial is expected to last two weeks when it finally gets under way.

Barton, who won a single England cap, built a turbulent but notable playing career with spells at Man City, Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley and Marseille. Now, instead of preparing for a touchline role or media work, he faces a long wait in prison for the case that will define his next chapter.