Former footballer Joey Barton could be stripped of jail privileges after 'mobile phone and tobacco found in his cell'
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By JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
Ex-footballer Joey Barton could be stripped of his jail privileges after a mobile phone and tobacco were found in his prison cell.
The 44-year-old former Manchester City, QPR and Newcastle midfielder was caught with the contraband following a search carried out by anti-corruption officers at HMP Liverpool.
Barton has denied the accusations but he could have been forced into keeping the items in his cell by his fellow inmates, it is understood.
The Liverpudlian, who held managerial roles at Bristol Rovers and Fleetwood Town, has been held in jail on remand after he was charged with grievous bodily harm (GBH) for an alleged assault at a £1,440-a-year golf club.
Barton could face another six months in jail over the alleged assault which took place at Huyton and Prescot golf club in Merseyside on March 8, 2026.
He is accused of causing GBH with intent to 51-year-old Kevin Lynch who suffered serious eye injuries.
But now the discovery of contraband could make his time inside worse as the threat of his jail privileges being removed looms.
Officers found the banned items after they rushed into Barton's cell and turned it upside down, according to a source.
Joey Barton, 44, (pictured in December 2025) was caught by anti-corruption officers with contraband in his prison cell
Kevin Lynch, 51, was injured in the alleged assault at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club on March 8, 2026
'They were acting on intelligence and found a few items including tobacco and a phone and could discipline Barton,' they told The Sun.
'But he is denying doing anything wrong. And though he doesn't want to grass up other inmates, bosses are looking at whether he was forced into holding contraband for other people.'
The source added that his profile makes him a target and there are dangerous inmates who could have coerced Barton into hoarding the contraband.
'But Barton is likely to be punished whatever the situation was,' they said.
A consequence of being caught with banned items in prison could mean Barton receives additional time in jail.
Other punishments include being prohibited from watching television, going to the gym and spending time outside of the cell.
A new date for Barton's trial for the alleged assault on Mr Lynch has been set for March 8, 2027, a year on from the incident.
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