Former Premier League midfielder and current podcaster Joey Barton has been formally charged with “wounding with intent” (Section 18) following a serious assault over the weekend.
The 43-year-old was apprehended alongside a 50-year-old man, identified as Gary O’Grady, after emergency services were called to an altercation near the Huyton and Prescot Golf Club on Sunday night.
A male victim was discovered at the scene with significant injuries to his face and ribs; he remains in a hospital in serious but stable condition.
The legal proceedings coincided with a high-profile libel hearing in London, which Barton failed to attend due to his detention in Liverpool.
During that hearing, a judge ordered Barton to pay over £339,000 in damages and costs to football pundit Eni Aluko following a “campaign of vilification” on social media.
Barton and his co-accused were remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear at Wirral Magistrates’ Court this afternoon to face the criminal charges.
