Former footballer Joey Barton found guilty of sending grossly offensive social media posts
The ex-Manchester City, Newcastle and QPR midfielder was found not guilty of six others
Last updated 7th Nov 2025
Former footballer Joey Barton has been convicted of sending grossly offensive social media posts about broadcaster Jeremy Vine and TV pundits Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko.
A jury at Liverpool Crown Court found Barton, 43, had "crossed the line between free speech and a crime" with six posts he made on X, formerly Twitter.
He was cleared of six other counts that he sent a grossly offensive electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety between January and March 2024.
Following a televised FA Cup tie in January 2024 between Crystal Palace and Everton, he likened Ward and Aluko in a post on X to the "Fred and Rose West of football commentary".
He went on to superimpose the faces of the two women on to a photograph of the serial murderers.
Barton also tweeted Aluko was in the "Joseph Stalin/Pol Pot category" as that she had "murdered hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of football fans' ears".
Not guilty of six other counts
Jurors found him not guilty on the Stalin/Pol Pot comparison, and also the commentary analogy with the Wests, but ruled the superimposed image was grossly offensive.
He was also convicted of a post in relation to Aluko in which he wrote: "Only there to tick boxes. DEI is a load of s***. Affirmative action. All off the back of the BLM/George Floyd nonsense."
The ex-Manchester City, Newcastle and Marseille midfielder - now a social commentator with 2.7 million followers on X - is said to have suggested Vine had a sexual interest in children after the TV and radio presenter sent a message querying whether Barton had a "brain injury".
Barton repeatedly referred to Vine as "bike nonce" and asked him: "Have you been on Epstein Island? Are you going to be on these flight logs? Might as well own up now because I'd phone the police if I saw you near a primary school on ya bike."
He was convicted over the Epstein post and a tweet in which he said: "Oh @the JeremyVine Did you Rolf-aroo and Schofield go out on a tandem bike ride? You big bike nonce ya."
Barton was also found guilty of other tweets in relation to Vine in which he referred to him as "bike nonce" and said: "If you see this fella by a primary school call 999" and "Beware Man with Camera on his helmets cruising past primary schools. Call the Cops if spotted."
He was cleared of guilt over three remaining tweets referring to Vine.
Barton was bailed ahead of sentencing on December 8.
Union Jack patterned scarf
The Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Andrew Menary KC, noted the defendant was wearing a Union Jack patterned scarf as the verdicts were returned.
He told the court: "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."
Barton, of Fox Bank Close, Widnes, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today (Friday 7 November) where he was found guilty of sending grossly offensive communications following a 5-day trial.
The 43-year-old will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 8 December to be sentenced.
During the trial, the court heard how Barton subjected three victims to a slew of grossly offensive messages between January and March 2024.
Barton targeted the victims over social media on twelve separate occasions.
The incidents were reported to police and following an investigation, a casefile of evidence was presented to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a charging decision.
Barton was charged with 12 counts of malicious communications.
He pleaded not guilty on 14 March 2025, and the case was sent for trial. A jury subsequently found Barton guilty of six counts of sending grossly offensive electronic communications with intent to cause distress or anxiety.
Response from Cheshire Police
Following the verdict, Detective Inspector Alison White said: "Barton embarked on a public hate campaign against the three victims, causing them considerable amounts of distress and anxiety.
"Despite pleading not guilty, a jury has today found that he crossed the line between what is considered free speech and what is grossly offensive.
"I welcome the verdict and hope this case can serve as an example to those who think they can spread hate, abuse and division without any repercussions.”