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๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Crime & Justice

Former England international awaits trial in prison after a career marked by violence

From Veฤernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • A Liverpool Crown Court judge postponed Joey Bartonโ€™s trial over an alleged attack at a golf club until March 8, 2027.
  • Barton, who has been held in custody since his arrest in March, could remain detained for another six months unless he receives bail at a hearing next week.
  • He denies a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after Kevin Lynch was found seriously injured outside the club.

Joey Barton learned that his trial would be delayed until March 8, 2027, on his 44th birthday. The former Manchester City and England midfielder appeared in court wearing a dark blue suit and leaving with greying hair. As he walked out, he gave a thumbs-up to a person in the public gallery.

The delay means Barton could spend a total of a year behind bars awaiting trial. He has remained in custody since his arrest in March, and could face another six months in prison if bail is not granted at next weekโ€™s hearing. Judge David Potter told him: โ€œMr Barton, I have fixed your trial date for Monday, 8 March. In the meantime, you remain in custody.โ€

The case concerns an incident at the Huyton and Prescot golf club on the outskirts of Liverpool. Barton allegedly spent the evening drinking and socializing with Kevin Lynch, 51, a respected former manager of lower-league football clubs who founded an academy for children with special needs. Emergency services later found Lynch lying in blood on the clubโ€™s driveway. He was taken to hospital in serious but stable condition with broken ribs and what was described as a serious eye injury.

Mr Barton, I have fixed your trial date for Monday, 8 March. In the meantime, you remain in custody.

· Judge David PotterThe judge set Bartonโ€™s trial date and confirmed that he would remain in pretrial custody.

Barton has pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The trial is expected to last up to two weeks when it begins. The bail decision will determine whether Barton spends his 45th birthday free or in prison.

His football career included 269 Premier League appearances, spells with Marseille and Rangers, and one England cap. After retiring, he managed Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers and launched the Common Sense podcast, which he described as offering an โ€œunfilteredโ€ view of sport and society. The case has added another chapter to a career and life repeatedly shaped by controversy, disciplinary problems and a temper that, in the articleโ€™s telling, often overwhelmed his talent.

unfiltered

· Joey BartonBarton used the term to describe the perspective offered by his Common Sense podcast.
About this summary

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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