Let this be a lesson to the legion of echo chamber haters who cross the line. The courts will get you.
Ex-Footballer Joey Barton Found Guilty of Sending Grossly Offensive Messages
Former Premier League midfielder Joey Barton has been convicted of posting grossly offensive messages on social media, with a jury ruling he had “crossed the line between free speech and a crime”.
The 43-year-old, who played for clubs including Manchester City and Newcastle United, was found guilty on six counts of sending a grossly offensive electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety.
The verdict was delivered at Liverpool Crown Court after a trial where Barton had denied a total of 12 similar charges relating to posts made on X, formerly Twitter, between January and March last year. He was cleared on six other counts.
During the proceedings, Barton claimed he was the victim of a “political prosecution” and denied his aim was “to get clicks and promote himself”. He described his posts as “dark and stupid humour” and “crude banter”.
However, the prosecution successfully argued that his actions went beyond the bounds of acceptable public discourse. Peter Wright KC, for the prosecution, told the court that while everyone is entitled to “cutting, caustic, controversial and forthright” views, they are not entitled to post communications that are “beyond the pale of what is tolerable in society.”
Offensive Comparisons and “Despicable” Allegations
The court heard details of several offensive posts. In one instance from January 2024, Barton compared football commentators Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko to Fred and Rose West, the notorious serial killers. He superimposed the women’s faces onto a photograph of the murderers. In another post, he described Aluko as being in the “Joseph Stalin/Pol Pot category”.
While the jury found him not guilty on the specific counts relating to the West, Stalin, and Pol Pot comparisons, they decided that the superimposed image was grossly offensive.
Another message targeted broadcaster Jeremy Vine, allegedly suggesting he had a sexual interest in children after Vine had questioned whether Barton had a “brain injury”. Vine told the jury he felt “wickedly torn down for no reason” and called the posts “disgusting actions” and a “despicable thing to say.” Barton denied intending to imply Vine was a paedophile.
Judge’s Warning and Prosecution’s Closing Argument
As the verdicts were returned, Barton wore a scarf patterned with the Union flag. Addressing him, the honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Andrew Menary KC, noted this, saying: “He has chosen to adorn himself with a particular flag which I suppose is a stunt to make a point. He will not be permitted to do that on the sentencing date.”
In his closing speech, prosecutor Peter Wright KC dismissed Barton’s defence, telling the jury: “Mr Barton is not the victim here. He is not the free speech crusader that he would like to paint himself to be. He is not some martyr to be sacrificed on the altar of political correctness. He is just simply an undiluted, unapologetic bully – a little bully who takes pleasure sitting there with his phone in his hand and then posting these slurs.”
Barton, who also played for England in 2007 and had a career spanning clubs such as Queens Park Rangers, Marseille, and Burnley before retiring in 2017, will be sentenced at a later date.
