Joey Barton pleads not guilty to attacking man in golf club 'assault'

Joey Barton has pleaded not guilty to attacking a man in an alleged assault at a golf club. 

The 43-year-old appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today via videolink from prison charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.

The ex-Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers midfielder is said to have attacked father-of-two Kevin Lynch, 51, at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club on March 8.

Liverpool Magistrates' Court previously heard Mr Lynch suffered injuries to his face and there is a possibility he may lose sight in one eye.

Barton has been in custody since March 10 and was denied bail at a hearing on March 20. 

He has been charged alongside his friend and roofer Gary O'Grady, 50, who was released on bail. 

O'Grady also appeared in court today but did not enter any pleas.  

Honorary recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC set a trial date for September 1, with the case expected to last seven days.

The 15-minute hearing also dealt with administrative matters.

The court was previously told that Mr Lynch, a former non-league football manager and founder of special education school NexGen Academy, had been drinking with the defendants at the £1,440-a-year golf club before the alleged assault. 

Prosecutor Chelsea Kearns said he and Barton then appeared to have a 'heated discussion'.

The pair went outside, where a witness said they saw a man being punched, kicked and stamped on, the court heard. 

Barton allegedly warned Mr Lynch as he was attacked: 'You should have behaved.' 

A large number of police officers were scrambled to the scene at the golf club, with forensics officers cordoning off the club and scouring the grounds for clues.

Neighbours described hearing a man groaning in pain and seeing pools of blood on the street before paramedics arrived.

Barton has one England cap and also played for Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley and Marseille.