Joey Barton Found Guilty of Offensive Social Media Communications

Joey Barton has been on trial at Liverpool Crown Court, facing 12 counts of sending grossly offensive electronic communications with the intent to cause distress or anxiety, stemming from incidents in January 2024. On Friday, jurors found him guilty of six counts related to offensive social media posts directed at individuals including Vine, Ward, and Aluko, while acquitting him of the remaining six counts.

During the trial, Barton asserted that he did not intend to label Vine a paedophile, characterizing his statements as a “bad, dark, juvenile joke.” He further explained that his comments were meant to be a “wind-up,” insisting, “It was not meant to call him a paedophile. I have not at any point tried to cause distress or anxiety or risk his life or his daughters’ lives. I cannot believe I’m on trial for this. Words on a social media site.”

Barton expressed his belief that the prosecution was an attempt by the state to undermine him, claiming it was a mere spat between celebrities on social media and asserting that the case was highly politicized. “This is a state prosecution I believe for whatever their agendas are in pushing on people,” he stated.

On Tuesday, former England international Aluko expressed her astonishment at Barton’s comments, particularly given their past exchanges of supportive messages. “I was surprised because I had never met Joey Barton in person before. I was genuinely appreciative of his support. Between 2017 and 2020, me and Joey Barton exchanged supportive messages. I took Joey Barton as I found him,” she told the court. Aluko indicated that Barton’s public comments suggested malicious intent aimed at garnering attention, coinciding with his podcast promotion.

Vine, addressing the court on Wednesday, shared that Barton’s remarks made him feel “unsafe,” describing the comments as leaving a “cloud of filth.” He criticized Barton for likening their faces to those of infamous child murderers and felt compelled to reassess his security measures. “I genuinely believe what Barton did made me physically unsafe. I took some advice about my security. I varied my movements. I didn’t want to communicate the dangers [to my daughters].”

Judge Andrew Menary KC cautioned Barton against wearing a scarf with a British flag at his sentencing, labeling it a “stunt.” He also reminded Barton of his bail conditions, which prohibit him from mentioning the three victims until sentencing on December 8.