Joey Barton alleged assault trial delayed until next year

Former footballer Joey Barton will not face trial over an alleged attack on a man outside a golf club until next year.

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

He was due to face trial this week but at Liverpool Crown Court earlier Judge David Potter adjourned the trial to 8 March, 2027.

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

The case is expected to last two weeks.

Barton appeared in court for the hearing, on his birthday, wearing a navy blue suit and tie with a blue shirt.

The former Manchester City and QPR midfielder was remanded in custody and will next appear in court on Monday.

He made a thumbs up gesture to a man in the public gallery as he left the dock.

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 has one England cap and also played for Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley and Marseille.

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