Joey Barton announces he's QUITTING social media to become 'constructive and responsible' after 'mistakes', as he faces sentencing over 'grossly offensive' online trolling

Joey Barton has announced he is stepping away from social media days after being found guilty of six counts of sending 'grossly offensive' posts on X, formerly Twitter.

Barton, 43, was found guilty on two counts of sending grossly offensive communications to female football commentators Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward and four counts of sending grossly offensive messages to broadcaster Jeremy Vine in a trial at Liverpool crown court last Friday.

The ex-Manchester City, QPR and Newcastle midfielder will be sentenced on December 8 and was warned by trial judge Andrew Menary that all sentencing options remained open.

Barton, who was also cleared of six similar charges by the jury, has now announced that he will quit social media to become 'constructive and responsible' after making 'mistakes' online.

He said in a statement: 'Over the past few years, a lot has happened. Professionally, personally and emotionally and it has reached a point where I need to pause and take proper stock of everything. I’ve decided to step away from social media for the time being.

'This isn’t a decision I’ve taken lightly, but the intensity and pace of the online world, combined with my own pressures and mistakes, have had a real impact on my wellbeing and judgement. I need space to reflect honestly on that, to understand how I’ve handled things, and to improve how I communicate going forward.

'With the move to a new studio underway, this feels like the right moment to reset, reassess my priorities, and think carefully about how I want to use my profile in the future in a way that’s constructive, responsible, and true to the values I want to stand for.

'While I’m taking this break, my accounts will be maintained solely by the admin team. I won’t be posting personally until I feel I’m in the right place to come back. @Common_SensePod

'Thank you to everyone who has supported me, challenged me, and stuck with me. I’m taking this time because I want to return better, clearer, and more grounded. See you on the other side.'

Barton, who was wearing a Union Jack-style scarf in the dock last week, was granted bail on condition that he did not contact or talk about the three complainants. 

The judge also said: 'He has chosen to adorn himself with a particular flag which I suppose is a stunt to make a point. He will not be permitted to wear it when you come back to court.'

The trial had heard that Barton, 43, had targeted TV football commentators Aluko and Ward and broadcaster Vine with the messages which were designed at causing anxiety and distress. 

Aluko has since claimed her punditry work dried up as a consequence of the social media attacks by Barton, following his conviction last Friday. 

Following a televised FA Cup tie between Crystal Palace and Everton in January 2024, Barton likened Ward and Aluko in a post on X to the 'Fred and Rose West of football commentary'.

He was found not guilty of comparing Ward and Aluko to Fred and Rose West but guilty of superimposing the killers' faces on to the two women on an X feed. 

Prosecutor Peter Wright, KC, said that Barton had previous convictions and that the sentence hearing would be heard with victim impact statements from the complainants.

He also said the prosecution would be inviting the judge to consider whether the offences concerning Aluko were racially motivated. 

Senior Crown Prosecutor Callum Bryce of CPS Mersey-Cheshire said: 'Between early January and mid-March 2024, Mr Barton subjected three public figures to offences of malicious communications.

'Mr Barton said in his evidence before the court that in some of his messages he was trying to make a serious point in a provocative way and that in others he was simply joking.

'The finding of the jury confirmed that his conduct had gone beyond any joke and his messages were grossly offensive with the purpose of causing anxiety and distress to his victims.' 

Aluko celebrated the 'honour' of being inducted into football's Hall of Fame on Wednesday, less than 24 hours before Barton's announcement on social media.

The former England international spoke with relief about how important it is to look ahead to 'good news around the corner'. 

'I feel great, I feel a sense of relief that difficult chapter is all over,' Aluko told PA at Wednesday's induction. 'I have always been very clear about making sure there are consequences for that type of conduct online, because it is bullying.

'It was never going to be something I tolerated. I am very proud of being able to stand up to that and show that's not something we are going to tolerate in the UK and in society.

'There is always good news round the corner and to come out of that last week, a difficult week that ended well, and to be here now being recognised, I am very happy and very pleased,' she said.

'It shows you will go through things in life that are difficult but it shapes you. You come out the other end of it and people recognise you for how you stood up and how you stood by your principles and values.'

'I feel honoured. It's a big recognition for the journey and I just want to keep doing the honour justice.'