Joey Barton found guilty of offensive social media posts
Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been found guilty of six counts of sending ‘grossly offensive’ social media posts at Liverpool Crown Court, reports BritPanorama.
The court heard that after a televised FA Cup tie in January 2024 between Crystal Palace and Everton, Barton compared female football pundits Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward to the infamous serial murderers Fred and Rose West on social media platform X. He even superimposed their faces onto a photograph of the murderers.
In another post, he classified Aluko as being in the “Joseph Stalin/Pol Pot category” for supposedly “murdering hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of football fans’ ears.” Barton also made disparaging remarks regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, claiming they were “a load of s***.”
Additionally, he engaged in a public dispute with TV presenter Jeremy Vine, accusing him of having a sexual interest in children following Vine’s critical remarks about Barton’s mental state. During the trial, Barton claimed he was a victim of political persecution, stating, “I cannot believe I’m on trial for this. Words on a social media site.”
Vine responded vehemently to Barton’s accusations, noting, “This now gets really serious. He is accusing me of being a paedophile,” and described Barton’s comments as “disgusting actions.” He further stated that the remarks had caused him significant emotional distress, which resulted in a sleepless night.
As the conversation regarding social media’s impact on public figures grows, cases like Barton’s illustrate the ongoing tension between free speech and accountability in digital discourse. In a world increasingly scrutinized for online conduct, the ramifications of such posts are significant, highlighting the necessity for a robust dialogue about the responsibilities that come with a platform.
