Trans woman feared attacks after Father Ted creator's vindictive posts, court told

A transgender activist feared she would fall victim to “vigilante violence” after being the subject of a string of “vindictive” online posts by comedy writer Graham Linehan, a court has heard.

- NICOLE WOOTTON-CANE

Sophia Brooks, 18, said she was worried she could be “stabbed” or “beaten up” after Linehan called her a “domestic terrorist” and “sociopath” on X (Twitter).

The 57-year-old Father Ted creator is on trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. He denies a charge of harassing trans woman Ms Brooks on social media between 11 and 27 October 2024 and also denied a charge of criminal damage to her mobile phone, to the value of £369, on 19 October 2024.

Prosecuting, Julia Faure Walker told the court yesterday that Ms Brooks came to Linehan’s attention after he “linked” her to a protest at a LGB Alliance conference on 11 October. She said there was “no evidence” Ms Brooks was involved in an incident where some girls released insects inside the building.

Linehan then posted online a number of times about the complainant after the conference, the court heard.