Joey Barton Pleads Not Guilty to Alleged Assault Outside Golf Course

Ex-footballer Joey Barton has entered a not guilty plea regarding an alleged assault outside a golf club. Barton, 43, appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool for his plea hearing at Liverpool Crown Court. He denied intentionally causing serious harm to Kevin Lynch, 51, at Fairway in Huyton on March 8. Co-defendant Gary O'Grady, 50, did not enter a plea during the hearing. The incident allegedly occurred after the defendants and Mr. Lynch spent time drinking together at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club. Mr. Lynch, founder of NexGen Academy and a former non-league football manager, reportedly suffered severe eye injuries. Judge Andrew Menary set a trial date for September 1, expecting the case to last seven days. Barton was remanded in custody, while O'Grady received conditional bail. As a former midfielder for Manchester City and QPR, Barton has also played for Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley, and Marseille, and currently hosts the 'Common Sense With Joey Barton' podcast.