Former Premier League star Joey Barton pleads not guilty to grievous bodily harm after an alleged attack near a Liverpool golf club
FORMER Premier League footballer Joey Barton has pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The 43-year-old ex-midfielder appeared via videolink from Liverpool prison for a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court.
He denied the charge relating to an alleged assault on 51-year-old Kevin Lynch outside Huyton and Prescot Golf Club on March 8.
Barton’s co-defendant, 50-year-old Gary O’Grady, was not asked to enter a plea during the same hearing.
An earlier court hearing was told the defendants had been drinking with Lynch at the golf club before the alleged incident occurred.
Lynch, a former non-league football manager, was said to have suffered serious injuries to his eye.
Judge Andrew Menary set a trial date for September 1, with the case expected to last seven days.
Barton was remanded in custody, while conditional bail was renewed for O’Grady, who was supported in court by several family members.
Barton won one England cap during a playing career that included stints at Manchester City, Newcastle, Rangers and Marseille.
He now hosts the podcast ‘Common Sense With Joey Barton’, described as an unfiltered look at issues in sport and society.
