Ex-footballer Barton denies assault near golf club

The 43-year-old ex-Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder appeared via videolink from Liverpool prison for the plea hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch, 51, at Fairway in Huyton near Liverpool, on March 8. Barton's co-defendant Gary O'Grady, 50, of Huyton, was not asked to enter a plea to the charge on Tuesday. An earlier court hearing was told the defendants had been drinking with Lynch at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club before the alleged attack.