Former Premier League midfielder Joey Barton has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm. The 43-year-old, from Widnes, Cheshire, appeared alongside Gary O'Grady, 50, from Huyton, Merseyside, at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. The pair face allegations of attacking Kevin Lynch, 51, at Fairway, Huyton, on Sunday.

Prosecutor Chelsea Kearns told the court that Mr Lynch had been drinking with the defendants at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club before an altercation occurred. CCTV footage reportedly shows Mr Lynch and Barton engaged in what appeared to be a heated discussion before they went outside. A witness described seeing a man being assaulted, with an ambulance subsequently called to the scene.

Mr Lynch remains in hospital in serious but stable condition, with doctors warning there is a possibility he may lose sight in one eye. The case has been transferred to Liverpool Crown Court, where Barton and O'Grady will appear for a plea hearing on April 7. District Judge James Hatton ordered Barton's remand in custody until that hearing, while O'Grady was released on conditional bail.