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Ex-footballer Barton denies golf club attack

PA Media Joey Barton outside Liverpool Crown Court in a fleece and glasses. PA Media
Joey Barton has denied grievous bodily harm

Former footballer Joey Barton has denied an assault on a man at a Merseyside golf club.

Barton, 43, who was denied bail at an earlier magistrates hearing, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court by video link from Liverpool prison for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Along with his co-defendant, 50-year-old Gary O'Grady, he is charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent on former non-league football manager Kevin Lynch, 51, at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club on 8 March.

Barton, of Widnes, was remanded into custody, and faces a seven-day trial starting 1 September.

An earlier court hearing was told the defendants had been drinking with Lynch at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club before the alleged attack.

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.

PA Media A court sketch of Gary O'Grady, who is wearing a tan tracksuit and has short brown hair and a goatee beard, sitting next to Joey Barton, who is wearing a dark fleece and also has a goatee beard, and is wearing glasses.PA Media
Gary O'Grady and Joey Barton appeared in the dock together at an earlier hearing

O'Grady appeared in court but did not enter a plea.

Barton made one England appearance and played for Manchester City, Newcastle United, QPR, Rangers, Burnley and Marseille.

He also managed Fleetwood.

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