Graham Linehan's conviction for damaging transgender activist's mobile phone overturned

Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has had his conviction for damaging a transgender activist's phone overturned.

The writer was involved in a confrontation with Sophia Brooks outside the Battle Of Ideas conference in Westminster on 19 October 2024.

In November, the 57-year-old was cleared of harassment against Brooks but found guilty of criminal damage.

However, a judge today overturned the conviction after a two-day hearing at Southwark Crown Court.

Mrs Justice Amanda Tipples said the court couldn't be sure the damage was caused by Mr Linehan on the day in question.

Linehan - known for shows including Father Ted, The IT Crowd and Black Books - smiled and turned to supporters in the public gallery when the decision was read out.

He later said the outcome was "very welcome but this case should never have got to court", adding that police had failed to "properly and fairly investigate".

The verdict came after the court was shown video from the phone in the run-up to the incident.

Ms Brooks, a trans woman - who was 17 at the time of the incident, approaches Linehan and asks: "Why do you think it is acceptable to call teenagers domestic terrorists?"

Linehan is heard calling her a "sissy porn-watching scumbag," a "groomer" and a "disgusting incel" - to which she responds: "You're the incel, you're divorced."

Another clip appears to show Linehan gabbing or slapping the phone out of her hands.

Linehan's lawyer, Sarah Vine KC, told the court Ms Brooks was "misusing the justice system" and was "determined" to get the writer convicted due to his anti-trans activism and high profile.

It's another victory for Linehan after he was found not guilty of harassing her last year.

The judge in that case called Linehan's social media posts "deeply unpleasant, insulting and even unnecessary", but said they weren't "oppressive or unacceptable".

Prosecutors also dropped a criminal probe into Linehan last year after Met Police said it would stop investigating "non-crime hate incidents".

It came after armed police arrested him on suspicion of inciting violence with his posts when he landed at Heathrow from his home in the US.

Linehan said he had to go to A&E after his blood pressure reached "stroke territory" during questioning, and his arrest was widely criticised.

(c) Sky News 2026: Graham Linehan's conviction for damaging transgender activist's mobile phone overturned