FORMER FOOTBALLER JOEY BARTON, 43, has been remanded in custody following an alleged assault outside Huyton and Prescot Golf Club on Sunday. He appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court alongside Gary O'Grady, 50.
Both Barton and O'Grady are accused of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm against Kevin Lynch, 51. The incident reportedly occurred at approximately 9 pm on Sunday. The case has been sent to Liverpool Crown Court for a plea hearing scheduled for April 7.
Barton, from Widnes, and O'Grady, from Huyton, spoke only to confirm their names, addresses, and dates of birth during a 22-minute hearing. Prosecutors stated that Mr. Lynch was at the golf club drinking with the two defendants on the night of the alleged attack. Mr. Lynch is currently in hospital, receiving pain management via an intravenous drip. Chelsea Kearns, the prosecuting barrister, indicated that CCTV footage may show Barton gesturing for Mr. Lynch to go outside before the incident. Barton was denied bail.
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Further context to Barton's ongoing legal entanglements includes accusations that he engaged in a campaign of 48 posts against an individual named Ms. Aluko on his X account, causing her "enormous distress." This campaign, according to reports, involved criticism and attacks when Ms. Aluko attempted to defend herself against Barton's conduct and that of his followers. Details suggest one witness heard a man telling Mr. Lynch he "should've behaved."== Both Barton, O'Grady, and Mr. Lynch are registered members of the golf club. Mr. Lynch's professional background includes being a former manager of Northern Premier League club Prescot Cables and serving as a welfare officer at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club. Police officers were observed conducting searches at the scene on Tuesday morning, with a cordon in place.