High Court Rules Joey Barton's 'Bike Nonce' Comments About Jeremy Vine Were Defamatory

The judge found that the social media posts suggested a sexual interest in children and were not mere vulgar abuse.

Jeremy Vine is suing Joey Barton for libel and harassment over 14 social media posts.
The High Court ruled that 11 of these posts could defame Vine.
The term 'bike nonce' was deemed to imply paedophilia, reinforcing defamatory meaning.
Barton's lawyer argued the posts were made in the heat of the moment and were not serious allegations.
The case stems from a dispute beginning with Barton's comments about female football pundits.