New details have come out after former footballer Joey Barton was sent to custody following an alleged assault at a golf club in Liverpool. Police say the man who was attacked, 51 year old headteacher Kevin Lynch, suffered serious facial injuries and may lose sight in one eye. The incident is said to have happened on Sunday evening at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club. Barton, who is 43, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday afternoon. The court refused him bail and ordered that he remain in custody for one month.Police earlier said Lynch was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition. Barton has been charged alongside his friend, roofer Gary O’Grady, 50. Both men are accused of causing grievous bodily harm during the incident. The court heard Barton spoke only briefly during the hearing. He confirmed his name, birth date and address while standing in court wearing a blue half zip sweater and grey jogging bottoms. Witnesses near the golf club described a disturbing scene as emergency crews rushed to help the injured man.
Joey Barton and Gary O’Grady accused of attacking headteacher Kevin Lynch at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club as witnesses describe blood on the street
According to police and witness accounts, the fight broke out outside the Liverpool golf club on Sunday evening. Several officers were quickly sent to the scene, and forensic teams later searched the area for evidence.People living nearby said they heard a man groaning in pain before paramedics arrived. Some neighbours also reported seeing “pools of blood on the street.”Kevin Lynch lives only a few minutes from the golf club. On Tuesday, a woman who answered the door at his home declined to speak to reporters.In court, District Judge James Hatton decided that Gary O’Grady could be released on bail. However, Joey Barton was remanded in custody and must appear next at Liverpool Crown Court next month.Kevin Lynch is well known in local football circles. He previously managed teams such as Prescot Cables FC, Marine AFC and City of Liverpool FC. He is also the founder and headteacher of NexGen Academy.The case came on the same day Barton faced another legal blow. At the High Court, he was ordered to pay £339,000 to former England footballer Eni Aluko after she won a libel case against him.Her lawyer said Barton posted 48 messages about her on X between January and August 2024. The posts falsely accused her of exploiting racism claims and included offensive images. The court ruled the posts caused serious distress.Barton, who once played for clubs including Manchester City, Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle United, Burnley and Olympique de Marseille, has been told to pay the first £100,000 plus interest by March 24. Investigations into the alleged golf club assault are still ongoing.
