Eni Aluko’s lawyer’s assertion as Joey Barton charged over golf membership incident

Former Manchester City and QPR midfielder Joey Barton remains in custody after being charged following an alleged attack near a golf club as Eni Aluko’s lawyer spoke about the arrest in High Court.

The 43-year-old has now been named as one of two men taken into custody after reports of an assault in Huyton, Merseyside, on Sunday. He and Gary O’Grady, 50, have been charged with Section 18 wounding with intent, according to Merseyside Police.

The force said: “We can confirm that two men have been charged following an assault in Huyton on Sunday night, 8 March. At around 9pm, emergency services were called to Fairway to reports of a man having been assaulted near to Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.

“The victim was taken to hospital for assessment of serious injuries to his face and body. He is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

“Two men were arrested. Detectives have now charged the following men with Section 18 wounding with intent: Joseph Anthony Barton, 43, and Gary O’Grady, 50. Both men remain in custody to appear at Wirral Magistrates Court this afternoon, Tuesday 10 March.”

During a High Court hearing on Tuesday (March 10) concerning a libel case involving Barton, Gervase de Wilde, representing former England striker Eni Aluko, revealed his instructing solicitor had “received a call from a duty solicitor in a police station in Liverpool” moments before the hearing.

Mr de Wilde informed the court on Tuesday that Barton, who has managed Fleetwood and Bristol Rovers, “was arrested yesterday and is currently being held in custody”.

Barton has now been told to pay Aluko more than £300,000 in damages and legal costs after he was sued for libel by the former England Women’s footballer.

According to a court order seen by the Press Association, Barton has been told to pay £339,000 – with the first £100,000 plus interest due by March 24. Mr Justice Lavender granted Barton seven days to ask to change the order.

Speaking earlier about the asssault at a golf club, a spokesperson for Merseyside Police confirmed previously: “We can confirm that two people have been arrested following reports of an assault in Huyton on Sunday March 8.

“At around 9pm, emergency services were called to Fairway to reports of a man having been assaulted near to Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.

“The victim was taken to hospital for assessment of injuries to his face and ribs. A 50-year-old man and a 43-year-old man have both been arrested on suspicion of Section 18 wounding.”

Barton, originally from Huyton, has one England cap and also previously played for Newcastle, Rangers, Burnley and Marseille.

He now presents podcast ‘Common Sense With Joey Barton’, which is described as an “unfiltered” examination of issues in sport, society, politics and more.

Merseyside Police erected a cordon on Fairway in the Knowsley town on Sunday night. The ECHO understands police dropped the cordon but then re-erected it.

The investigation is ongoing.