TARGETED & EXTREME

But Barton is spared jail for toxic posts

- BY KIM PILLING

JOEY Barton had his bags packed when he arrived at court - but he was spared jail for sending grossly offensive social media posts.

The ex-footballer got a six-month suspended sentence in the UK for posts directed at football pundits Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko and broadcaster Jeremy Vine.

He published an image with Ms Ward and Ms Aluko's faces on the bodies of serial killers Fred and Rose West, and insinuated Mr Vine was a paedophile.

Sentencing, Judge Andrew Menary KC said: "Robust debate, satire, mockery and even crude language may fall within permissible free speech.