Joey Barton was arrested in connection with an assault near Huyton and Prescot Golf Club in Merseyside. The assault occurred on March 8 around 9pm near Huyton and Prescot Golf Club. Merseyside Police stated that emergency services were called to Fairway to reports of a man having been assaulted near to Huyton and Prescot Golf Club. Two men were arrested: a 43-year-old (Joey Barton) and a 50-year-old (Gary O'Grady). Joey Barton and Gary O'Grady have been charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm (GBH)/section 18 wounding. The police force confirmed that two men have been charged following an assault in Huyton on Sunday night, 8 March.
The victim is Kevin Lynch, a 51-year-old married father-of-two. Kevin Lynch was found on the floor covered in blood with injuries to his face and ribs. He was taken to hospital and is in serious but stable condition. Merseyside Police reported that the victim was taken to hospital for assessment of serious injuries to his face and body and is in a serious but stable condition in hospital. Multiple reports indicate Kevin Lynch may have suffered a permanent, irreversible injury and might lose sight in one eye. The full extent and prognosis of Kevin Lynch's injuries, particularly regarding potential permanent eye damage, remains uncertain.
Joey Barton was remanded into custody and denied bail. According to major media sources, Gary O'Grady was granted bail. Merseyside Police noted that both men remain in custody to appear at Wirral Magistrates Court this afternoon, Tuesday 10 March. There is disagreement about the court appearance location for Joey Barton, with some sources stating he will appear at Wirral Magistrates' Court while others indicate Liverpool Magistrates' Court or Liverpool Crown Court, creating confusion about the exact legal venue.
Joey Barton is a former footballer who played for Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers, Burnley, Rangers, and Marseille, and earned one England cap. He now hosts the Common Sense with Joey Barton podcast. According to major media sources, Joey Barton was ordered to pay Eni Aluko £300,000-£339,000 after she successfully sued him for libel. Joey Barton's arrest was mentioned during a High Court libel hearing involving Eni Aluko. According to major media sources, Gervase de Wilde described receiving a call from a duty solicitor in a police station in Liverpool shortly before the hearing and that Barton was arrested yesterday and is currently being held in custody.
Witness accounts describe a violent assault that began with a heated argument between Barton and Lynch at the golf club bar. Multiple reports indicate witnesses saw two men taking turns punching, kicking, and stamping on a man on the floor. Someone was heard shouting 'Stop, stop' during the assault, and someone was heard telling Lynch he 'should've behaved'. The exact nature of the argument that started inside the clubhouse is not known.
Neighbors reported hearing a man groaning in pain and seeing pools of blood on the street. Police cordoned off the scene and conducted forensic searches, according to major media sources. Merseyside Police are investigating and have asked for witness accounts and doorbell footage.
Kevin Lynch is a registered member of Huyton and Prescot Golf Club and has managed non-league football clubs. He is the founder and headteacher of NexGen Academy, a school for children with additional needs, according to multiple reports.
A source at HMP Liverpool told The Sun that Joey Barton is accused of using Islamophobic slurs while in custody at HMP Liverpool. The evidence or basis for this allegation has not been disclosed.
Merseyside Police are investigating and have asked for witness accounts and doorbell footage, according to major media sources. The specific details of the police investigation, including any forensic findings or witness statements, are not yet public.
Huyton and Prescot Golf Club declined to comment on the incident.
There is a suggestion that a weapon was subsequently produced from outside the building, but what specific weapon, if any, was used in the assault remains unclear.
The 43-year-old has faced a string of legal issues during his football career and since retiring, according to research. There is also disagreement about the specific charge against Joey Barton, with some sources stating he is charged with 'assault occasioning grievous bodily harm (GBH)' while others indicate 'wounding with intent' or 'assault occasioning grievous bodily harm with intent', reflecting uncertainty about the severity and legal specifics that could affect potential penalties.