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Graham Linehan in court over alleged harassment of trans woman Graham Linehan goes on trial over alleged harassment of trans woman
(32 minutes later)
Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has gone on trial in London on charges of harassment and criminal damage against a transgender woman.Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has gone on trial in London on charges of harassment and criminal damage against a transgender woman.
Westminster Magistrates' Court was told how the 57-year-old allegedly used social media to "relentlessly" publish offensive posts about an 18-year-old trans campaigner.
The Irish comedy writer, who also created The IT Crowd and Black Books, has pleaded not guilty to the two charges.The Irish comedy writer, who also created The IT Crowd and Black Books, has pleaded not guilty to the two charges.
Before going into Westminster Magistrates' Court, the 57-year-old did not speak to the media but did pose with a supporter's sign saying "There's no such thing as a 'transgender child"' on one side and "Keep men out of women's sports" on the other.
This trial is not connected to the allegations that led to his much-publicised arrest at Heathrow Airport on Monday.This trial is not connected to the allegations that led to his much-publicised arrest at Heathrow Airport on Monday.
He said he was met by five armed officers over messages he had previously posted about trans people on X, sparking a backlash from some public figures and politicians, and inflaming a fierce debate about policing and free speech.He said he was met by five armed officers over messages he had previously posted about trans people on X, sparking a backlash from some public figures and politicians, and inflaming a fierce debate about policing and free speech.
In that case, he was arrested on suspicion of inciting violence, and has been bailed "pending further investigation".In that case, he was arrested on suspicion of inciting violence, and has been bailed "pending further investigation".
Meanwhile, the trial that opened on Thursday is hearing allegations that he harassed Sophia Brooks, 18, a transgender activist, on social media last October, and damaged her phone.Meanwhile, the trial that opened on Thursday is hearing allegations that he harassed Sophia Brooks, 18, a transgender activist, on social media last October, and damaged her phone.
He is accused of posting abusive comments on social media, and of causing damage to a phone to the value of £369 during the Battle of Ideas conference in London. The prosecution, led by Julia Faure Walker, said Mr Linehan posted a continuous string of tweets targeting Ms Brooks. This included calling Ms Brooks a "deeply disturbed sociopath" and a "domestic terrorist".
He appeared in the dock and spoke to confirm his identity. The posts were "not merely irritating or annoying, but rather oppressive and unacceptable, thereby crossing the threshold into harassment", and were "verbally abusive and vindictive", Ms Faure Walker said.
Graham Linehan was surrounded by the media as he entered the court on Thursday Graham Linehan dons placard outside court for alleged harassment case
Julia Faure Walker, prosecuting, said: "The defendant, Graham Linehan, faces two charges, one harassment of Sophia Brooks between 11 October 2024 and 27 October 2024," PA Media reported. The court heard how the pair eventually met for the first time at the Battle of Ideas conference on 19 October 2024. The prosecution alleged that Mr Linehan "deliberately whacked" Ms Brooks' phone out of her hand after she challenged him over his tweets while filming.
"The second charge is criminal damage of Ms Brooks' mobile phone on 19 October 2024. Afterwards, Mr Linehan continued to tweet, with one post stating he was "proud" of the damage he'd caused to the phone, the court was told.
"There are some matters that are not in dispute. It's not in dispute that the defendant sent the relevant social media posts between 11 October and 27 October, and it's not in dispute that the defendant seized and threw the phone of the complainant.
"Ms Brooks is now 18 but at the time of these events she was 17."