The court has heard how following an FA Cup game in January 2024, he compared pundits Ward and Aluko to the “Fred and Rose West of football commentary”.
Fred and Rose West gained notoriety after murdering and abusing a number of women over a 20-year period.
Mr Barton is then said to have called Vine a paedophile in numerous posts after the broadcaster sent a message querying whether the ex-player had a “brain injury”.
During cross-examination, prosecutor Peter Wright KC said: “The reality is you targeted these women and you bullied them.”
Mr Barton, who is from Huyton in Merseyside, said: “If you are public facing, you have to accept there is going to be criticism and feedback you don’t like.”
Mr Wright said: “Is the truth that, under the guise of your right to freedom of expression, you engage in personal slur and grossly offensive remarks to those who you feel are fair game?”
Mr Barton, who also played for Newcastle and Marseille, said: “I sometimes use the wrong language. I was trying to make a serious point in a provocative way.”
He denied he was trying to attract more clicks and promote himself.
