Graham Linehan, co-creator of the acclaimed comedy series "Father Ted", has been found guilty of criminal damage but cleared of harassing a transgender activist on social media. The 57-year-old writer faced two charges stemming from an incident outside a London conference last October.
District Judge Briony Clarke delivered the split verdict at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. Linehan flew in from Arizona to appear in person for the judgment.
The charges related to events surrounding the Battle of Ideas conference in Westminster on October 19 last year. Linehan denied harassing activist Sonia Brooks on social media between October 11 and October 27, and denied criminal damage of their mobile phone outside the conference venue.
The confrontation
The trial heard that Brooks had begun photographing delegates during a speech by Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at Sex Matters. Outside the event, Brooks confronted Linehan.
The activist asked: "Why do you think it is acceptable to call teenagers domestic terrorists?" In response, the court heard that Linehan called Brooks a "sissy porn-watching scumbag", a "groomer" and a "disgusting incel". Brooks responded: "You're the incel, you're divorced."
Prosecutor Julia Faure Walker told the court that Linehan had written "repeated, abusive, unreasonable" social media posts about Brooks, referring to them as Tarquin.
Linehan's defense
The comedy writer, who has well-publicised strong views on gender issues, said his "life was made hell" by trans activists. He described Brooks as a "young soldier in the trans activist army".
Linehan added: "He was misogynistic, he was abusive, he was snide. He depended on his anonymity to get close to people and hurt them, and I wanted to destroy that anonymity."
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
