Joey Barton Denied Bail, Remains in Prison Until 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 accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent following an alleged serious assault in March.

The alleged victim, Kevin Lynch, was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition after the incident. He is said to have suffered injuries to his face and ribs.

Barton, who played for Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers and won a single England cap, has been in custody since his arrest, according to The Mirror. His latest attempt to secure release came during an hour-long hearing on Monday, 7 October, when his barrister, Tim Forte KC, applied for bail. The court rejected the application.

The former midfielder appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool, wearing a grey Columbia fleece and glasses, as the court confirmed he would remain in custody.

Previous Hearings

This week’s hearing followed an earlier appearance in courtroom 42 on Wednesday, 2 September – Barton's 44th birthday – when the case was adjourned and Judge David Potter ordered that he be further remanded.

Addressing Barton then, Judge Potter said: “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.”

That December hearing is scheduled as a pre-trial review. The full trial is expected to last up to two weeks, meaning Barton faces around a year in custody by the time a jury hears the evidence. He will have spent six months behind bars already, with another six months to wait after the adjournment to 8 March.

Trial Confirmation

In a separate hearing, Barton appeared in the dock in person, wearing glasses, a navy blue suit and tie with a blue shirt, his hair cut short and greying. On that occasion, Judge Potter confirmed 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 court has previously been told that Lynch, 51, had been socialising with Barton at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club on 8 March before the alleged assault. Lynch, a former non-league manager, was reported to have been found covered in blood on Fairway, close to the entrance of the club.

Lynch has managed City of Liverpool, Marine and Prescot Cables, and away from the touchline founded NexGen Academy in Dovecot. He is headteacher at the school, which supports children with additional needs.

Barton, originally from Huyton, now lives at Fox Bank Close in Widnes and had most recently been working as a podcast host before his arrest.