Former footballer Joey Barton has appeared in court accused of sending offensive messages on social media to pundit Lucy Ward and broadcaster Jeremy Vine. The 42-year-old, of Widnes, Cheshire, spoke only to give his name and date of birth at the 20-minute hearing at Liverpool Crown Court.

The 42-year-old former footballer is accused of sending communications of an indecent or grossly offensive nature on social media platform X

Joey Barton, who was a no-show at the previous hearing in January, was deemed to have sent messages of an indecent or grossly offensive nature for the purpose of causing distress and anxiety to Jeremy

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Joey Barton appears in court over alleged offensive tweets - The former footballer is accused of online offences towards Jeremy Vine and Lucy Ward.