Joey Barton has been spared prison over ‘grossly offensive’ social media posts about Jeremy Vine.

The former Premier League footballer, who also posted about football pundits Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko, was found guilty last month.

Judge Andrew Menary KC today sentenced Barton, 43, to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months, for sending six grossly offensive social media posts.

He will avoid returning to the courtroom only if he doesn’t commit another offence in the next 18 months.

Judge Menary said there is ‘some prospect’ of rehabilitation and he will have to carry out 200 hours of unpaid community service.

Restraining orders have also been enforced, meaning Barton cannot contact Vine, Ward or Aluko. The judge added: ‘You are not a man of previous good character.’

To his 2.7mill

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