JOEY Barton has been ordered to pay Eni Aluko £300,000 after comparing the female pundit to Rose West in a string of posts.
Eni introduced authorized motion in opposition to the ex-footballer over two posts he made in 2024 on social media website X.
The High Court immediately heard the case had been stayed, with Barton to pay “substantial” damages and Eni’s authorized prices.
According to a courtroom order seen the whole is £339,000 – with the primary £100,000 plus curiosity due by March 24.
Barton was granted seven days to change the order by Mr Justice Lavender.
Eni, who attended courtroom immediately, mentioned after the listening to: “I’m glad it’s the end.”
The courtroom was informed the X posts that between January and August 2024, Barton revealed 48 posts relating to Eni on his X account.
One publish included a picture of the previous England footballer’s head superimposed onto serial killer Rose West’s physique.
Her barrister Gervase de Wilde mentioned Barton claimed she had “cynically sought to exploit her status as an alleged victim of racism and bullying”.
Mr de Wilde additionally informed the courtroom he “carried out a deliberately targeted public campaign of vilification”.
The lawyer continued: “The campaign amounted to an attack on multiple aspects of her life and personality.”
“Mr Barton’s campaign caused Ms Aluko enormous distress. When she sought to defend herself against Mr Barton’s conduct, and that of his followers, he criticised and attacked her for doing so.”
Mr de Wilde mentioned Eni was nervous that nevertheless she tried to cease the harassment, Barton “would exploit and manipulate it to use against her”.
The barrister continued: “Mr Barton has now accepted that his campaign against Ms Aluko amounted to harassment and that he should not have made the publications.”
Barton began his soccer profession with Manchester City in 2002 after going by way of their youth system and went on to make 150 appearances for the membership.
He then moved to Newcastle United in a £5.8million switch in July 2007 earlier than leaving for Queens Park Rangers in August 2011.
The midfielder was then placed on mortgage to French aspect Marseille in the course of the 2012-13 season earlier than making his approach to Burnley for one season – serving to promote them to the Premier League.
He moved to Rangers on a two-year deal however that was ripped up after simply eight video games following bust-ups with team-mate Andy Halliday and supervisor Mark Warburton.
He was additionally investigated by the Scottish FA for breaching playing guidelines.
Barton made one look for England in 2007 – regardless of criticising some of his fellow gamers.
The footballer later tried a administration profession with stints at Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.
