Joey Barton faces £300k legal bill – and alleged assault charge
Former footballer Joey Barton has been told to pay former England international Eni Aluko more than £300,000 in compensation and legal costs after a libel lawsuit was filed – revealing he had been charged with an alleged attack on a Merseyside golf club.
The High Court in London ruled on Tuesday that a case relating to posts on social media site X (Twitter) has been stayed.
Barton, 43, who played for Manchester City and is now a podcast host, was not at the hearing. Gervase de Wilde, representing Ms Aluko, 39, said Barton “is currently in custody”.
In the libel suit, Mr De Wilde said Mr Barton’s posts falsely claimed she was “sarcastically attempting to exploit her status as an alleged victim of racism and bullying” and called her a hypocrite.
The lawyer added that Barton published 48 posts regarding Ms Aluko on account X between January and August 2024, and that Barton “engaged in a deliberately targeted public smear campaign.”
Mr De Wilde said in a post that an image of Ms Aluko’s head had been found superimposed on the body of serial killer Rosemary West.
He continued: “The campaign amounted to an attack on many aspects of his life and personality.
“Mr. Barton’s campaign caused Ms. Aluko a great deal of distress. When she tried to defend herself against the behavior of Mr. Barton and his followers, Mr. Barton criticized her for doing so and attacked her,” he added.
Mr De Wilde said he was concerned that when Ms Aluko tried to stop the abuse Barton would “exploit and manipulate it to use it against her”.
The lawyer continued: “Mr Barton has now accepted that his campaign against Ms Aluko amounted to harassment and that he should not have made these publications.”
Barton, of Widnes, Cheshire, was told to pay £339,000, the court heard; The first £100,000 plus interest is due by 24 March.
Mr Justice Lavender gave Barton seven days to ask to change the order. Ms Aluko attended the court and said after the hearing: “I’m glad this is the last time.”
In a separate criminal case, Barton is accused of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm along with a second man, Gary O’Grady, 50, of Huyton, Merseyside.
They appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday afternoon and spoke to confirm their names, addresses and dates of birth.
The men are accused of assaulting Kevin Lynch in Fairway, Huyton, on Sunday.
Prosecutor Chelsea Kearns said Mr Lynch, 51, had been drinking with the two defendants at Huyton and Prescot Golf Club.
Mr Lynch is said to be in a serious but stable condition in hospital, but there is a possibility he may lose the sight in one eye.
The case was sent to Liverpool Crown Court, where the men will appear for a plea hearing on April 7.
