Joey Barton X posts ‘crossed the line between free speech and crime’, court told

<p>Former footballer on trial over social media posts about pundits Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko and broadcaster Jeremy Vine</p><p>The former footballer Joey Barton “crossed the line between free speech and a crime” with social media posts aimed at female pundits, a jury has been told.</p><p>Barton, 43, is accused of 12 counts of sending a grossly offensive electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety, related to posts he made between January and March in 2024 on X that targeted Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko as well as the broadcaster Jeremy Vine.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/03/joey-barton-x-posts-crossed-line-free-speech-and-crime-court-told">Continue reading...</a>