Archive · 8 Nov 2025
Joey Barton Found Guilty of Six Counts of Offensive Social Media Posts
A former soccer player named Joey Barton sent mean messages on social media to a few other sports people and a TV host.
A jury decided that some of these messages were so offensive that they were not just free speech but actually a crime.
He was found guilty of six of these messages.
He had argued that he was just joking around.
He will be told what his punishment will be soon.
Former Premier League star Joey Barton has been found guilty of six counts of sending offensive social media posts.
The posts were sent in early 2024 to former England international Eni Aluko, ex-player Lucy Ward, and BBC presenter Jeremy Vine.
Prosecutors argued that Barton's messages crossed the line between free speech and criminal behavior.
Barton claimed his posts were meant as provocative banter and not to cause distress.
Sentencing for the 43-year-old Englishman is expected next month.
- Who
- Former Premier League star Joey Barton
- What
- Found guilty on six counts of sending offensive social media posts
- When
- Early 2024 (offenses), November 8, 2025 (verdict reported)
- Where
- Liverpool Crown Court, United Kingdom
- Why
- Messages sent to former players and a presenter were deemed by prosecutors to have crossed the line between free speech and a crime.
- Defendant
- Joey Barton
- Convictions
- 6 counts of sending offensive social media posts
- Accusers
- Eni Aluko, Lucy Ward, Jeremy Vine
- Time of Offense
- Early 2024
- Court
- Liverpool Crown Court
- Location
- United Kingdom