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.

Joey Barton appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today over alleged offensive messages on social media. The former footballer, 42, is accused of sending 'grossly offensive' messages to TV personalities Lucy Ward and Jeremy Vine on the social media platform X.

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

Former footballer Joey Barton has appeared in court accused of sending offensive messages to TV personalities Lucy Ward and Jeremy Vine. The 42-year-old stood in the dock, speaking only to give his name and date of birth at the start of the 20-minute hearing at Liverpool Crown Court.