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Graham Linehan goes on trial 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. Westminster Magistrates' Court was told 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.
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.
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". The prosecution, led by Julia Faure Walker, said Mr Linehan posted a string of tweets targeting Ms Brooks, which included calling her a "deeply disturbed sociopath" and a "domestic terrorist".
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.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 dons placard outside court for alleged harassment caseGraham Linehan dons placard outside court for alleged harassment case
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 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.
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. Giving evidence, Ms Brooks told the court she "felt alarmed and distressed" and was afraid for her safety following Mr Linehan's posts.
"I was being branded as a deeply disturbed sociopath by a relatively famous person with over 500,000 followers - any of which could see Mr Linehan's post and cause great harm to me," she added.
The trial continues.