Former footballer Joey Barton could face another six months in jail after trial for assault is put off until next year

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 10:54 EDT, 2 September 2026 | Updated: 11:06 EDT, 2 September 2026 Ex-footballer Joey Barton could face another six months in custody after his trial over an alleged assault at a golf club was put back today.Appearing in the dock on his 44th birthday, the former midfielder turned manager faced a charge of assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch, 51.Barton is accused of assaulting the father-of-two, a former non-league football manager, at £1,440-a-year Huyton and Prescot golf club in Merseyside on March 8, causing serious eye injuries.However Barton – who has been in custody since his arrest shortly after the incident – could face more months behind bars after the trial was today put back to the first anniversary of the incident.At Liverpool Crown Court an application by his counsel Tim Forte KC to have it adjourned so potential new witnesses could be contacted was not resisted by prosecution counsel Alex Leach KC.Judge Potter said that there were still ‘intractable problems’ which meant that the trial could not start yesterday and set a new date for March 8, 2027.Barton, dressed in a blue suit, light blue shirt and dark blue tie, was remanded back into custody.He made a thumbs up gesture to a man in the public gallery as he left the dock. Joey Barton, 43, (pictured in December 2025) is charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm Kevin Lynch, 51, was injured in the alleged assault at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club The scene of the alleged attack at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club on March 8An application for bail will be heard before Judge Potter on Monday.The attack is alleged to have taken place after Barton had been drinking with Mr Lynch.Mr Lynch, founder of special education school NexGen Academy, was said to have suffered serious injuries to his eye.Former Manchester City and QPR midfielder Barton, of Widnes, Cheshire, has one England cap and also played for Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley and Marseille.He went on to manage Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.