Graham Linehan pleads not guilty to harassment of transgender woman
FATHER Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has pleaded not guilty to harassing a transgender woman and damaging her phone.
The Irish comedy writer, 56, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday to deny the charges of harassing Sophia Brooks on social media and damaging her mobile in October.
The Bafta-winning writer, who also came up with TV sitcoms The IT Crowd and Black Books, has become a strong vocal critic of the trans rights movement in recent years.
Linehan, who created Father Ted in the 1990s with fellow Irish writer Arthur Mathews, said in a post on X in April that the allegations were related to an incident at the Battle of Ideas conference in London on October 19.
Court documents show Linehan is charged with harassing the alleged victim by posting abusive comments about her on social media between October 11 and October 27, and damaging her phone to the value of £369 on the day of the conference.
Speaking outside of the court, Linehan said: "For six years, ever since I began defending the rights of women and children against a dangerous ideology, I have faced harassment, abuse and threats.
'I've lost great deal, but I am still here, and I will not waver in my resolve.'
Deputy District Judge Louise Balmain told Linehan his trial would take place on September 4 this year at the same court.
He was freed on bail with the condition not to contact the complainant directly or indirectly.
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