Joey Barton pleads not guilty to malicious communications after 'comparing Eni Aluko to Rose West'

30 July 2024, 11:49

Joey Barton has appeared in court on Tuesday
Joey Barton has appeared in court on Tuesday. Picture: Alamy

By Kit Heren

Joey Barton has pleaded not guilty to malicious communications after posting a series of tweets about former England women's footballer Eni Aluko.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The former Newcastle star, 41, appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court on Tuesday accused of conveying an indecent or offensive message between January 3 and 8.

That charge is in connection with tweets he made about Aluko, who is now a football pundit. He is said to have compared Aluko and co-pundit Lucy Ward to serial killers Fred and Rose West.

He also compared Aluko to Joseph Stalin and Pol Pot, prosecutor Joshua Sanderson-Kirk told the court on Tuesday.

Barton appeared in the dock wearing a dark checked suit and a navy shirt and tie. He spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth to Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram, as well as to elect for his case to be heard at crown court after entering a not guilty plea.

Read more: Joey Barton charged after comparing former England Lioness Eni Aluko to 'Rose West' - as he slams 'Banana Republic'

Read more: Ex-footballer Joey Barton apologises to Jeremy Vine and pays £75,000 in damages over defamatory posts

Joey Barton leaves Warrington Combined Crown and Magistrates Court Centre where he is accused of malicious communications offence.
Joey Barton leaves Warrington Combined Crown and Magistrates Court Centre where he is accused of malicious communications offence. Picture: Alamy

The judge sent his case to the crown court, and he will appear at 9.30am on the 27th August.

Mr Ikram added: "I am granting you conditional bail with one condition that you will not make any mention of Eni Aluko on any social media, and that is either directly or indirectly, or by inference.

"I am imposing that condition to ensure no further offences are created.

"Make sure you are there on time please. If you do not appear, a warrant may be issued.

"You are free to leave the court."

Eni Aluko
Eni Aluko. Picture: Getty

Barton nodded at the judge as he left the court room with his defence solicitor Richard Derby.

Aluko, who played for Chelsea and England, scored 33 international goals in 102 games before retiring in 2020 and establishing a broadcasting career.

Former Manchester City and Newcastle player Barton, of Widnes, was sacked last October as League One Bristol Rovers' manager after almost three years in charge, after a run of poor results.

He previously slammed the charges, saying: "I'm up next month 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 having a dissenting voice."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Saudi Arabia for peace talks with Russia as the war in Ukraine rages on.

US-Russia peace talks for Ukraine begin as Europe blocked out of Saudi Arabia meeting

Harry received a standing ovation at the closing ceremony.

Meghan's four-word response as Prince Harry receives standing ovation in emotional Invictus Games closing ceremony

Exclusive
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (far right) visits the Tapa NATO forward operating base in Estonia.

Starmer should send 'warships, combat brigade, and air squadrons' to Ukraine in show of leadership, says ex-armed forces minister

Millions of jobs at risk as UK firms mull biggest layoffs in close to a decade amid plunging business confidence

Millions of jobs at risk as UK firms mull 'biggest layoffs in a decade' amid plunging business confidence

Wes Streeting says campaign to free Lucy Letby is 'not right'

'This isn't a political campaign, it's a legal process': Wes Streeting says campaign to free Lucy Letby is 'not right'

Exclusive
West Streeting, left, has back Sir Keir Starmer after the Prime Minister said he was ready to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine.

Peace in Ukraine 'vital for Britain's freedom', says Streeting as he backs PM's calls for troops on the ground

From Conclave to The Brutalist - the full 2025 BAFTA's winners list revealed

From Conclave to The Brutalist - the full 2025 BAFTA's winners list revealed

President Zelenskyy of Ukraine has arrived in the United Arab Emirates ahead of this week's expected peace talks aimed at ending his country's war with Russia.

Zelenskyy visits UAE as Starmer signals support for British troop deployment in Ukraine peacekeeping

Emergency services were called just after 7pm on Friday amid reports a woman had suffered serious injuries

'I thought it was fireworks': Pub landlady describes moments before fatal Valentine's Day car park shooting

Danielle McLaughlin's killer Baghat was finally found guilty today

Man sentenced to life in prison over rape and murder of Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin in Goa

Shakira: Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour Kick Off - Rio de Janeiro

Singer Shakira admitted to hospital after abdominal issues force her to cancel concert

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Kyiv 'not invited' to US-Russia peace negotiations

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer

NHS on 'road to recovery', claims PM as he meets pledge to deliver two million extra appointments

Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

'I'm ready to put British troops into Ukraine', Keir Starmer says ahead of emergency Paris summit

Princess of Wales 'put her foot down'

Kate 'put her foot down' and stopped George, Charlotte and Louis taking part in gory hunting tradition

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Mikey Madison, winner of Leading Actress Award for 'Anora' and Adrien Brody, winner of the Leading Actor Award for 'The Brutalist'

Conclave wins Best Film at BAFTAs as Adrien Brody named Best Actor