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A decision could soon be reached in the trial of former footballer Joey Barton , who stands accused of posting "grossly offensive" messages to pundits Eni Aluko, Lucy Ward and TV presenter Jeremy Vine, on social media.

The jury in the trial, which is being held at Liverpool Crown Court , has heard how Barton allegedly "crossed the line between free speech and a crime," and has now retired to deliberate its verdict.

Forty-three-year-old Barton described Ward and Aluko, who grew up in Birmingham , both former professional footballers and now pundits, as the "Fred and Rose West of football commentary," after a televised FA Cup match in January 2024 between Crystal Palace and Everton.

He subsequently superimposed the faces of the two women onto an image of the serial ki

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