Graham Linehan has escaped punishment for harassing a trans activist on social media, but has been found guilty of damaging her phone outside a conference in London last year. The 57-year-old comedian and writer denied any wrongdoing but was fined £500 and ordered to pay £650 in costs after being convicted.
During the trial, it emerged that Linehan had exchanged hostile messages with Sophia Brooks on social media between October 11-27 of last year, with him referring to her as a "sissy porn-watching scumbag" and an "incel". However, Judge Clarke did not find that these comments demonstrated hostility towards Brooks based on her being trans.
Instead, the judge ruled that while Linehan's behaviour was unacceptable, she was not as alarmed or distressed by his actions as he claimed. The key factor in Linehan's conviction was that Brooks was 17 years old at the time of the incident, making him a grown adult who had deliberately targeted her outside an event.
Linehan has long been outspoken on gender issues and has faced criticism from trans activists for his views. He argued that he had acted out of "anger and frustration" after feeling provoked by Brooks' comments about his views on teenage girls being referred to as "domestic terrorists". However, the judge rejected this argument, stating that Linehan's behaviour was not justified.
As part of his sentence, Linehan is also required to pay a statutory surcharge of £200. His lawyer, Sarah Vine KC, has asked for an extension of 28 days to allow him to pay the full amount of £1050. Despite being convicted, Linehan expressed hope that the outcome would deter others from using similar tactics in the future.
The case highlights the complexities and nuances of online harassment and the need for clear guidelines and consequences when individuals use abusive language or behaviour towards others online. While Linehan's conviction may provide some closure for Brooks, it also raises questions about the limits of free speech and the role of social media companies in policing hate speech.
During the trial, it emerged that Linehan had exchanged hostile messages with Sophia Brooks on social media between October 11-27 of last year, with him referring to her as a "sissy porn-watching scumbag" and an "incel". However, Judge Clarke did not find that these comments demonstrated hostility towards Brooks based on her being trans.
Instead, the judge ruled that while Linehan's behaviour was unacceptable, she was not as alarmed or distressed by his actions as he claimed. The key factor in Linehan's conviction was that Brooks was 17 years old at the time of the incident, making him a grown adult who had deliberately targeted her outside an event.
Linehan has long been outspoken on gender issues and has faced criticism from trans activists for his views. He argued that he had acted out of "anger and frustration" after feeling provoked by Brooks' comments about his views on teenage girls being referred to as "domestic terrorists". However, the judge rejected this argument, stating that Linehan's behaviour was not justified.
As part of his sentence, Linehan is also required to pay a statutory surcharge of £200. His lawyer, Sarah Vine KC, has asked for an extension of 28 days to allow him to pay the full amount of £1050. Despite being convicted, Linehan expressed hope that the outcome would deter others from using similar tactics in the future.
The case highlights the complexities and nuances of online harassment and the need for clear guidelines and consequences when individuals use abusive language or behaviour towards others online. While Linehan's conviction may provide some closure for Brooks, it also raises questions about the limits of free speech and the role of social media companies in policing hate speech.
meanwhile sophia brooks has to deal with the trauma of bein harassed on line and off 
its all about the "free speech" arguement but whats good 4 trans ppl wen it comes 2 bein targeted by hate speech?? not much 
and wot about graham linenhans victims?? hes just makin excuses 4 his own bad behaviour 
pay up graham 
. I don't think his behaviour was 'anger and frustration' - it sounds like he just wanted to make someone's life harder because they had an opinion that disagreed with him 
. It's not okay for people in power to use their platform to belittle others, especially when it can have real-life consequences 
. I hope that Sophia Brooks can find some peace now that the trial is over 
. We need better guidelines and support systems for people who are being harassed online 
.
We need stricter laws against online harassment & social media companies have to do better at policing hate speech 
. Maybe Linehan's conviction will make people think twice before using abusive language online 
...
trans activists are always getting roasted for speaking out against people like linehan but meanwhile he gets to pretend like nothing wronged him at all 
! £500 fine seems a bit low to me, but I guess we gotta consider Graham Linehan's 'anger and frustration' too 
. As for the whole 'limits of free speech' thing, I think it's super important for social media companies to step up their game in detecting hate speech & suspending accounts that spread it 
. Can't let people like Linehan just get away with it! 
.
. And the fact that he thought it was okay to damage someone's phone outside a conference? That's just low 
.