Comedy Writer Cleared of Harassment Charges
Graham Linehan, the celebrated creator of Father Ted, has been found not guilty of harassment but convicted of criminal damage following a confrontation with a trans activist. The verdict was delivered at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 25th November 2025.
The 57-year-old comedy writer had denied both charges relating to an incident that occurred at a London conference in October 2024. The case highlighted ongoing tensions between gender critical voices and trans rights activists in the UK.
Courtroom Drama and Conflicting Accounts
During the trial, District Judge Briony Clarke provided a detailed summary of her judgment, describing Linehan as a "generally credible witness" who appeared "genuinely frank and honest" in his testimony. Significantly, the judge noted she did not accept complainant Sophia Brooks's evidence "entirely".
Linehan told the court his "life was made hell" by trans activists and characterised Brooks as a "young soldier in the trans activist army". The confrontation escalated when Brooks filmed Linehan outside the venue while asking: "Why do you think it is acceptable to call teenagers domestic terrorists?"
The court heard that Linehan became "angry" and "threw the phone" after being filmed, leading to the criminal damage charge.
Contrasting Allegations and Social Media Context
Sophia Brooks presented a different account to the court, alleging that Linehan had called them a "sissy porn-watching scumbag", a "groomer" and a "disgusting incel". Brooks claimed to have responded: "You're the incel, you're divorced."
The prosecution argued that Linehan's social media posts represented "repeated, abusive, unreasonable" behaviour. However, Linehan's defence lawyer countered that Brooks had followed "a course of conduct designed both to provoke and to harass Mr Linehan".
Linehan formally denied harassing the activist on social media between 11 October and 27 October 2024, and criminal damage to their mobile phone on 19 October of the same year.
The mixed verdict concludes a case that has drawn significant public attention to the ongoing debates surrounding free speech, activism and personal conduct in gender identity discussions.
