"Former footballer Joey Barton has been found guilty of six counts of sending "grossly offensive" social media posts directed at broadcaster Jeremy Vine and television pundits Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko. Barton, 43, compared Aluko and Ward to the serial killer couple Fred and Rose West, and called Vine a "bike nonce" in posts sent between January and March 2024."
"Judge Andrew Menary KC warned Barton about wearing a scarf printed with a British flag in the dock as a "stunt", and told his legal team he would not be permitted to wear it during his sentencing hearing on 8 December. He was reminded his bail conditions prohibit him from mentioning the three victims in any way before he is sentenced."
Joey Barton, 43, was convicted on six counts of sending grossly offensive social media messages directed at Jeremy Vine, Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko. He compared Aluko and Ward to serial killers Fred and Rose West and called Vine a "bike nonce" in posts sent in 2024. Jurors found he crossed the line between free speech and criminality on those counts, while acquitting him on six other counts alleging intent to cause distress or anxiety. Judge Andrew Menary KC barred Barton from wearing a British-flag scarf at sentencing and reminded him bail conditions prohibit mentioning the three victims. Barton said the posts were dark humour.
Read at www.bbc.com
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