Overview
- Testifying at Liverpool Crown Court, Vine said he felt "wickedly torn down," suffered sleepless nights, varied his movements for security and believed the posts put him in physical danger.
- Jurors were shown posts in which Barton called Vine a "bike nonce," invoked Jeffrey Epstein and urged people to call 999 if they saw Vine near a primary school.
- The court heard Barton settled civil claims with Vine in June 2024, paying £75,000 and then £35,000 in damages and costs, and issuing an on-platform apology for an "untrue" allegation.
- On Tuesday, pundit Lucy Ward told the jury Barton's posts, including an edited image comparing her and Eni Aluko to Fred and Rose West, left her intimidated and "physically scared."
- Barton, 43, has pleaded not guilty to 12 counts over posts made between January and March 2024, as prosecutors argue he targeted the three broadcasters with grossly offensive communications intended to cause distress.