New Delhi: Joey Barton, a former football player, faces two additional charges of harmful communication. In connection with tweets aimed at a female commentator, Barton, of Widnes, had already been prosecuted with the same offenses. In relation to posts he made regarding former women’s football player Eni Aluko on the social networking platform X, formerly Twitter, he is charged with spreading an insulting or obscene message between January 3 and January 8.
The 41-year-old allegedly tweeted after Aluko and another former football player, Lucy Ward, were commentators for ITV during an FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Everton on January 4, according to testimony previously given in court. According to the court, he compared them to serial killers Fred and Rose West, and in a subsequent tweet, he allegedly likened Aluko to Pol Pot and Joseph Stalin.
Although Barton is scheduled to go on trial for that charge next year, Cheshire Police have stated that they have been given permission to prosecute him with two further charges of malicious communication.
What the Police had to say
Another reminder that you can’t post anything you want on Social Media.
Joey Barton charged over social media posts relating to Jeremy Vine and Lucy Wardhttps://t.co/RHa0y1c2Hb
— Altrincham HQ – Social Media Marketing in Manc (@altrinchamhq) December 18, 2024
A force spokesman said: “Following an investigation by Cheshire Police, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised for Joseph Barton to be charged with two counts of malicious communications.”
On Tuesday, the Liverpool Crown Court heard the case of broadcaster Jeremy Vine, who is one of the complainants for malicious speech offences, along with Lucy Ward. A trial date was scheduled for May 19, 2025, after the defendant entered a not guilty plea to the alleged offense against Aluko in August.
Throughout his playing career, Barton, a former Premier League football player with one England international cap, has made hundreds of appearances for teams like Manchester City, Newcastle, Queens Park Rangers, Burnley, Rangers, and Marseille.
Not the first time Barton is getting into controversy
Joey Barton was the then manager of Bristol Rovers and in order to hear the ruling, he was present at Wimbledon Magistrates Court. The case concerns an incident that occurred at Barton’s residence in Kew, south-west London, in June of last year. According to the prosecution, Mrs. Barton sustained a bruise “the size of a golf ball” on her head during an argument between Mr. Barton and his wife, Georgia, while intoxicated.
However, shortly after the event, Mrs. Barton called the police to request that her husband not be charged. She claimed that her injuries were unintentional. Mr. Barton was informed by District Judge Andrew Sweet that he would not be granted a fair trial.
Cheshire Police stated on Tuesday that Joey Barton, a former Premier League football player, will be facing two charges of malicious communications. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
