Overview
- A Liverpool Crown Court jury convicted the 43-year-old former footballer of six offences relating to posts directed at pundits Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward and broadcaster Jeremy Vine.
- Jurors heard Barton likened Aluko and Ward to serial killers Fred and Rose West, superimposed their faces onto the killers’ image, and used terms such as “bike nonce” toward Vine while referencing Jeffrey Epstein.
- Prosecutor Peter Wright KC argued Barton repeatedly crossed the boundary into criminality, depicting him as an unapologetic bully rather than a free-speech advocate.
- The defence maintained the messages were puerile or dark humour that should be tolerated in a free society, with Barton insisting he never intended to cause distress or imply Vine was a paedophile.
- Daily Mail reporting noted Barton was acquitted on six counts and that a sentencing hearing is set for December 8, following deliberations that began earlier on Friday.