Judge tells Barton ‘only time will tell’ if he can changepublished at 12:04 GMT
12:04 GMT
Judge Andrew Menary KC said that while he was convinced the “custodial threshold” had been crossed in this case, he was prepared to suspend those jail terms.
He noted that Barton had “taken steps to moderate his online behaviour and added that “only time will tell whether this resolve endures”.
Judge Menary then told Barton to stand up in the dock.
He then said: “In light of steps you have taken, I am persuaded that there is some prospect of rehabilitation and that an immediate custodial sentence is not required to protect either the public or the victims – and that a suspended sentence order may itself operate as a deterrent against any future offending by you.”
Menary sentenced Barton to up to six months in custody, suspended for 18 months, for the six grossly offensive social media posts he published.
Barton was also ordered to pay the prosecution’s costs of £23,419.80.