Joey Barton Pleads Not Guilty to Assault Charge

Ex-footballer Joey Barton has entered a not guilty plea in response to allegations of assault outside a golf club. The 43-year-old appeared remotely from HMP Liverpool for the plea hearing at Liverpool Crown Court. He is accused of intentionally causing grievous bodily harm to 51-year-old Kevin Lynch at Fairway in Huyton on March 8. Barton's co-defendant, 50-year-old Gary O'Grady, did not enter a plea during the hearing. The alleged incident occurred after the defendants had been drinking with Mr Lynch at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club. Mr Lynch reportedly suffered serious eye injuries in the alleged attack. A trial date has been set for September 1, with the case expected to last seven days. Barton was remanded in custody, while O'Grady was granted conditional bail. Barton, a former midfielder for Manchester City and QPR, now hosts the podcast Common Sense With Joey Barton, which explores various topics including sports, society, and politics.