Graham Linehan cleared of harassing trans activist but convicted of damaging phone

"The trial heard that Brooks had begun taking photographs of delegates at the event during a speech by Fiona McAnena, the director of campaigns at Sex Matters. Outside the event, the activist asked Linehan: Why do you think it is acceptable to call teenagers domestic terrorists? In response, the court heard that Linehan had called Brooks a sissy porn-watching scumbag, a groomer and a disgusting incel, with the complainant responding: You're the incel, you're divorced."

"The comedy writer, who has well-publicised strong views on gender issues, said his life was made hell by trans activists, adding that the complainant was a young soldier in the trans activist army. The writer 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."

Graham Linehan, 57, flew in from Arizona to appear at Westminster magistrates court, where judgment was delivered by District Judge Briony Clarke. Linehan was cleared of harassing Sophia Brooks on social media between 11 and 27 October. He was found guilty of criminal damage for damaging Brooks's mobile phone on 19 October outside the Battle of Ideas conference in Westminster. The trial heard that Brooks had taken photographs of delegates during a speech by Fiona McAnena and confronted Linehan, asking why he called teenagers domestic terrorists. Court testimony described repeated insults and abusive social media posts; Linehan said trans activists made his life hell and called the complainant a young soldier in the trans activist army.

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