Former footballer Joey Barton has been found guilty of six counts of sending grossly offensive messages on social media, following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
The 42-year-old was convicted of targeting broadcaster Jeremy Vine, journalist Laura Ward, and former England footballer Eniola Aluko. He was acquitted of six further counts.
The charges stemmed from posts Barton made in early 2024, which prosecutors said were intended to cause distress or anxiety. Barton denied the allegations, insisting his remarks were “bad, dark, juvenile jokes” and not meant to threaten or harass anyone.
“It was not meant to call him a paedophile,” Barton told the court, referring to a post about Vine. “It was a bad, dark, juvenile joke. I’m a dad — I don’t want people to fear for their lives. I can’t believe I’m on trial for words on a social media site.”
He described the case as “a highly politicised prosecution” and claimed the state was “trying to squeeze me into the ground.”
During the trial, Aluko told jurors she had once exchanged “friendly and supportive” messages with Barton and was “astounded” when he later compared her to notorious serial killers. “It felt malicious and calculated to get attention,” she said. “He was promoting a podcast and trying to appeal to a certain audience.”
Vine, meanwhile, said Barton’s actions left him feeling “unsafe” and forced him to alter his movements for fear of being targeted. “Because of this cloud of filth Barton had released, I had to explain to my daughters why I was concerned,” he told the court.
Judge Andrew Menary KC warned Barton not to wear a Union Jack scarf to his sentencing, calling it a “stunt,” and reminded him that his bail conditions prohibit any further reference to the victims. Barton will be sentenced on December 8.
