Former footballer Joey Barton was found guilty by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court of six charges of sending grossly offensive electronic communications with intent to cause distress or anxiety.
Barton was found guilty of sending grossly offensive posts on social media about broadcaster Jeremy Vine and television critics Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko.
A jury at Liverpool Crown Court found six posts made by Barton, 43, on X “crossed the line between freedom of speech and criminality”.
He was acquitted of six other charges of sending grossly offensive electronic communications with intent to cause distress or anxiety between January and March 2024.
After the FA Cup televised FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Everton in January 2024, he compared Ward and Aluko to “football commentators Fred and Rose West” in an X post.
He superimposed the faces of two women on a photograph of a serial killer.
Mr Burton sent highly offensive social media posts about TV critic Lucy Ward
Barton also tweeted that Aluko was in the “Joseph Stalin/Pol Pot category” because he “murdered the ears of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of soccer fans.”
The jury acquitted him of the comparisons between Stalin and Pol Pot, and of the analogy with Western commentary, but ruled that the superimposed images were deeply offensive.
He was also found guilty of a post he wrote in reference to Aluko: “Just check the box. DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) is bullshit. Affirmative action. It’s all behind the BLM/George Floyd nonsense.”
The former Manchester City, Newcastle United and Marseille player, now a social commentator with 2.7 million followers on
Burton repeatedly called Vine a “bicycle straight” and asked, “Have you ever been to Epstein Island? Will it be on your flight log? If I see you riding your bike near an elementary school, I’ll call the police, so maybe you should confess now.”
Mr Burton sent highly offensive social media posts about broadcaster Jeremy Vine
He was found guilty of Epstein’s post, in which he tweeted, “Oh, @the JeremyVine Rolf Alou and Schofield went for a tandem bike ride? Big bike bastard.”
Barton was also found guilty of other Vine-related tweets, including calling himself a “bicycle nonce” and saying things like: “If you see this bastard near a primary school please call 999” and “Watch out for this guy patrolling in front of a primary school with a camera on his helmet. If you see him please call the police.”
He was acquitted of the remaining three tweets that referenced Vine.
Mr Burton was released on bail ahead of his sentencing on December 8th.
Liverpool Honorary Recorder Andrew Menary KC pointed out that the defendant was wearing a Union Jack scarf when the sentence was returned.
He told the court: “He has chosen to adorn himself with a particular flag, but I think this is a stunt to make a point. He will not be allowed to do it at his sentencing date.”
Arco: Online actions have real consequences
Aluko issued a statement on social media following the verdict, saying it served as a reminder that online actions have “real world” consequences.
Eni Aluko said the guilty verdict was a reminder that words online have an impact in the “real world”
“Social media, especially X, is a cesspool where too many people pretend to be free speech and say things to others they would never say in real life,” she said.
“Today’s conviction in court is a reminder that nothing you do or say online is without real-world and criminal consequences.
“Joey Barton’s posts towards me, Lucy Ward and Jeremy Vine were deeply distressing and had a truly negative impact on my life and career. I am grateful that justice has been served.”
