Broadcaster Jeremy Vine has told Liverpool Crown Court that social media posts from former footballer Joey Barton alleging he was a paedophile placed him in 'physical danger'. The 60-year-old said he varied his movements and took security advice after Barton called him a 'nonce' on X in 2024.
Vine described Barton's comments as a 'despicable thing to say' that left him feeling 'wickedly torn down for no reason'. He told the court he feared Barton and his followers were 'like-minded' and that the allegations made him feel 'physically unsafe'.
The posts began after Vine responded to Barton's remarks likening female football pundits Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko to serial killers Fred and Rose West. Vine asked if Barton had a 'brain injury', prompting Barton to call him a 'big bike nonce' and ask if he had 'been on Epstein Island'.
Barton also posted an image of Vine with the caption: 'If you see this fella by a primary school call 999.' Vine said this made him fear for his safety, stating: 'I do believe these messages put me in danger, in physical danger.'
Representing Barton, Simon Csoka KC argued Vine was 'just trying to be provocative on Twitter to get in on this story'. Vine denied this, saying he was 'trying to help the two targets of Mr Barton's abuse' and that his own comment was meant as 'an amusing jibe', but added: 'It certainly did not justify what followed.'
Barton, 43, denies 12 counts of sending a grossly offensive electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety. The trial continues.
