Joey Barton’s Trial: Guilty Verdict in Offensive Communication Case

omidbasir- Joey Barton faced trial at Liverpool Crown Court, having been charged with 12 counts of sending grossly offensive electronic communications intended to cause distress or anxiety in January 2024. On Friday, the jury convicted him on six counts related to offensive social media posts directed at Vine, Ward, and Aluko, while acquitting him of the remaining six counts.

Prior to the verdict, Barton testified in court, asserting that he did not intend to label Vine as a paedophile, describing his comment as a “bad, dark, juvenile joke.” He characterized his references to the broadcaster as merely a “wind-up,” emphasizing that he had never sought to cause any distress or anxiety. “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,” he stated.

Barton further expressed his belief that the prosecution represented an attempt by the state to suppress him, framing the incident as a dispute among celebrities. He asserted, “This is a state prosecution, I believe for whatever their agendas are in pushing on people.”

On Tuesday, former England player Aluko expressed her astonishment at Barton’s comparison of her to notorious serial killers, especially given their previous exchanges of “friendly and 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, we exchanged supportive messages. I took Joey Barton as I found him,” she testified. Aluko noted that she would have welcomed any critique from Barton directly, instead of the public nature of his comments, which she interpreted as malicious and aimed at garnering attention while promoting a podcast.

Likewise, Vine shared on Wednesday that Barton’s remarks had left him feeling “unsafe,” describing the impact of Barton’s words as creating a “cloud of filth.” Vine stated, “I thought it was very vicious to post their faces over two mass murderers of children. 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. Because of this cloud of filth Barton had released, I had to explain to them.”

Judge Andrew Menary KC admonished Barton regarding his attire, labeling his British flag scarf as a “stunt” and instructing him not to wear it again for his sentencing on December 8. He also reminded Barton that he must not mention the three victims in any capacity before the sentencing.