Joey Barton charged over ‘malicious’ social media posts towards BBC presenter

It's the second time the former Man City midfielder has been charged for his online behaviour.

The 41-year-old previously faced one count of the same offence in relation to X posts directed towards football pundit and ex-England women's international Eni Aluko.

Barton appeared in court last July over a series of tweets he posted about Aluko earlier in the year.

A post in January of this year saw the former Bristol Rovers compare Aluko and fellow pundit Lucy Ward to serial killers Fred and Rose West.

In February, Aluko accused Barton of subjecting her to one of the worst cases of social media abuse she’d ever experienced after a stream of vile messages emerged.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast at the time, the 37-year-old said: “I can only describe it as waves caving in on you. I think the nature of Joey Barton’s tweets were consecutive over the course of a week.

“There were several tweets, he continued to double-down even after ITV came out in mine and Lucy Ward’s defence, and actually was deliberately trying to get worse and incite other people to say the same. This is probably one of the worst cases of social media abuse I’ve ever experienced.”

Barton took to X shortly before appearing in court in July, criticising the British judicial system and describing it as a "Banana Republic".

I’m up next month @OliLondonTV for ‘malicious communications’ charge at Warrington Mag for Eni Aluko tweets.

Crazy times we’re living in. Haven’t the Police got enough on their hands?

British system is becoming a Banana Republic.

Lawfare used against its own citizens for… https://t.co/AFBJAsgBcZ

— Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) July 21, 2024

“I’m up next month for “malicious communications” charge at Warrington Mag for Eni Aluko tweets," he wrote.

“Crazy times we’re living in. Haven’t the Police got enough on their hands?"

He is scheduled to stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court next year in relation to the Aluko charge.

His case was listed before the same court Tuesday morning, where it was heard that he has now been charged with further malicious communications offences against Mr Vine and Ms Ward.

In a statement, Cheshire Police said: “A man from Widnes has been summoned to court to face charges of malicious communications.

“Following an investigation by Cheshire Police, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised for Joseph Barton to be charged with two counts of malicious communications.

“The charges relate to reports of alleged malicious communications online between Wednesday January 3 and Wednesday March 20, involving two victims.

“The 41-year-old will appear at magistrates court at a later date.”

Barton was not present during the short 15-minute hearing.

The football manager-turned-podcast host made more than 400 professional appearances for clubs including Manchester City, Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers, winning one England cap, and latterly managed Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.