Overview
- A Liverpool Crown Court jury last month found Barton guilty on six of 12 charges of sending grossly offensive electronic communications, acquitting him on six others.
- The convictions cover two posts about Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward and four about Jeremy Vine, including a doctored image likening the women to serial killers and messages implying Vine had a sexual interest in children.
- Judge Andrew Menary suspended a six-month custodial term for 18 months and ordered 200 hours of unpaid work, rehabilitation requirements and payment of more than £23,000 in prosecution costs.
- Restraining orders bar Barton from contacting Aluko, Ward or Vine directly or indirectly, and the court did not award compensation to the victims.
- Victim statements described fear, humiliation and reputational harm, while Barton testified he viewed the case as political and said some posts were jokes or provocation.