Linehan cleared of harassing trans activist but guilty of damaging phone

Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has been cleared of harassing a trans activist on social media but convicted of damaging her phone.

A court heard in September that the Irish comedy writer "relentlessly" posted abusive comments about a teenage trans woman on social media before throwing her phone in a road.

He "deliberately whacked" Sophia Brooks' phone out of her hand at a conference last October, Westminster Magistrates' Court was told.

On Tuesday, the judge said Mr Linehan's social media posts did not amount to harassment but that he was guilty of criminal damage. He denied both charges.