Mr Wright said TV and radio presenter Mr Vine responded to Mr Barton’s comparisons by posting on X: “What’s going on with Joey7Barton? I just glanced at the Rose West thing… genuinely, is it possible we are dealing with a brain injury here?
“A brain injury can cause changes to a person’s character, eg disinhibition, anti-social behaviour. I sincerely hope he is okay.”
The prosecutor told the jury: “The defendant did not read these interventions as an expression of concern for his wellbeing but rather as an insult.
“He sent a post to Jeremy Vine’s X account in which he referred to him as ‘you big bike nonce’.”
Among other posts, Mr Barton then reposted an image of Mr Vine with the caption “If you see this fella by a primary school call 999”, said Mr Wright.
“We say this defamatory, frankly puerile and infantile behaviour by a grown man in respect of these people was, and is, beyond the pale of what is tolerable in society and therefore characterised as criminal.”
As well as Manchester City, Mr Barton also played for Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers, Burnley and Marseilles before he moved into management after his retirement.
He was sacked from his most recent role of manager at Bristol Rovers in October 2023 after almost three years in charge.
The trial continues.
