Jeremy Vine 'had to take a stand' against Barton

Broadcaster Jeremy Vine said he hoped Joey Barton had "learned his lesson" after the ex-footballer was handed a suspended jail sentence for social media posts targeting him and two television pundits.

Barton, 43, was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday following his convictions for sending grossly offensive electronic communications with intent to cause distress or anxiety.

He posted on X comparing Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko to serial killers Fred and Rose West, and calling Mr Vine a "bike nonce".

"It was incredibly hurtful to be described in that way. It was disgusting, and I felt I had to take a stand," Mr Vine said.

Speaking to the BBC after sentencing, Barton said: "If I could turn back the clock I would."

Mr Vine continued: "This all started when I saw Barton abusing two female football commentators on X and I just thought I had to take a stand and then he started abusing me.

"And I think to myself, 'Do I just let this carry on, or do I now have to fight back?'."

At the trial, Jurors were told that in June 2024, Barton agreed to pay Mr Vine £75,000 in damages for defamation and harassment, together with his legal costs, after both parties settled in a civil action.

In a further settlement between both parties, Barton paid Mr Vine £35,000 damages and legal costs over similar matters.

The court heard Barton also apologised to the broadcaster in a post on his X account in June 2024, in which he said he had made a "very serious allegation" on social media in which he accused Mr Vine of having a sexual interest in children, which he said was "untrue".

A jury found Barton, originally of Huyton, Merseyside, but now of now of Widnes, Cheshire, guilty on six of 12 counts between January and March 2024, and not guilty on six counts in November.

The trial heard he had "crossed the line between free speech and a crime" with six posts.

"He's got three million followers and he thinks he's got a licence to tell filthy lies about people and he hasn't," Mr Vine said.

"I took a libel case against him, which cost him, by his account, £600,000 so at that point I felt I got satisfaction. The criminal case was an add-on.

"Now he's got a suspended sentence so he should have learned his lesson but I don't think he will have."

On sentencing, Judge Andrew Menary KC said while he was convinced the "custodial threshold" had been crossed in Barton's case, he was prepared to suspend the jail terms.

He noted Barton, who managed Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers, had taken steps to moderate his online behaviour but added "only time will tell whether this resolve endures".

Two-year restraining orders were issued against each of his victims which includes publishing any reference to them on any social media platform or broadcast medium.

The ex-Manchester City and Newcastle player was also made by the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary KC, to do 200 hours of unpaid work in the community and pay more than £20,000 in costs.

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