Father Ted writer did not harass trans teen

But Linehan did damage phone

- MARGARET DAVIS

FATHER Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has been cleared of harassing a transgender activist but convicted of damaging the campaigner's mobile phone.

The 57-year-old flew in from Arizona to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Linehan denied harassing Sophia Brooks on social media in October last year and whacking the activist's phone in to the road when they clashed outside the Battle of Ideas conference in Westminster.

He was accused of harassment after calling Brooks a "sociopath, psycho, groomer" on X.