Former footballer Joey Barton was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months, for sending offensive posts on social media targeting broadcaster Jeremy Vine, football pundit Lucy Ward, and analyst Eni Aluko.
The case was heard at Liverpool Crown Court, where Barton was found guilty on six counts of sending messages intended to cause distress or anxiety, related to posts made from January to March 2024.
Some posts included comparing Ward and Aluko to notorious serial killers and making offensive insinuations about Vine. He was acquitted on other similar charges.
The judge described the posts as a prolonged campaign of online abuse that went beyond acceptable free speech. Barton’s prison sentence was suspended because of his recent efforts to change his behavior.
He must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £23,419 in court costs. Additionally, he is banned from mentioning the victims on social media or broadcasts for two years.
Barton, who formerly played in the Premier League and managed football clubs, said during the trial that the prosecution was political and not for self-promotion.
The police saw the case as a warning against abusing social media, emphasizing the harm caused to the victims and the wide reach of the posts.
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