Barton charged with alleged ‘malicious communications’ in the direction of Aluko

Joey Barton has been charged with alleged malicious communications towards pundit and former England star Eni Aluko. 

Barton will appear in court on July 30 after an investigation by Cheshire Police. 

In January, the former Premier League footballer compared Aluko and fellow pundit Lucy Ward to the serial killers Fred and Rose West. 

‘A man from Widnes has been summoned to court to face charges of malicious communications,’ a Cheshire Police statement read.

‘Following an investigation by Cheshire Police, the Crown Prosecution Service has since authorised the charges for Joseph Barton. The 41-year-old will appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 30 July.

Joey Barton has been charged with alleged ‘malicious communications’ towards Eni Aluko

‘The charges relate to reports of alleged malicious communications online, between Monday 1 January and Thursday 18 January.’

Responding to the charges, Barton wrote on X: ‘I’m up next month for ‘malicious communications’ charge at Warrington Mag for Eni Aluko tweets.

‘Crazy times we’re living in. Haven’t the Police got enough on their hands?

‘British system is becoming a Banana Republic. Lawfare used against its own citizens for having a dissenting voice.’

More to follow.