"Robust debate, satire, mockery and even crude language may fall within permissible free speech. But when posts deliberately target individuals with vilifying comparisons to serial killers or false insinuations of paedophilia, designed to humiliate and distress, they forfeit their protection. As the jury concluded, your offences exemplify behaviour that is beyond this limit - amounting to a sustained campaign of online abuse that was not mere commentary but targeted, extreme and deliberately harmful."
""crossed the line between free speech and a crime""
""Fred and Rose West of football commentary""
"Giving evidence, Barton, who managed Fleetwood and Bristol Rovers, said he believed he was the victim of a "political prosecution" and denied his aim was "to get clicks and promote himself"."
Joey Barton was found guilty of sending a grossly offensive electronic communication after superimposing broadcasters Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko onto a photograph of serial killers following an FA Cup match. A jury concluded one image was grossly offensive and that his posts had "crossed the line between free speech and a crime", while acquitting him on six other allegations. Barton denied malicious intent, calling it a "political prosecution" and rejecting claims he sought publicity. Judge Andrew Menary KC suspended a six-month prison term for 18 months, ordered 200 hours' unpaid work, prosecution costs of £23,419 and two-year restraining orders.
Read at ESPN.com
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