Comedy writer Graham Linehan's conviction for criminally damaging a trans activist's phone was overturned in a UK court by Justice Amanda Tipples. This follows an appeal brought by Linehan after a November conviction. Linehan was represented by the Free Speech Union.
"This latest case is merely the latest in being harassed by trans activists using UK police as their enforcers and goons," Linehan told Human Events. "I'm hoping this will make the police a little less ready to believe the accusations of sociopathic men who, having embarked on the fundamental lie of pretending to be the opposite sex, see nothing wrong in lying about people's character and actions. Yes, it's a very good day for me."
"Having considered all the evidence before us, we cannot be sure that the damage to the complainant’s phone was caused by Mr. Linehan on the evening of the 19th of October 2024," said Tipples. "We therefore find Mr. Linehan not guilty of the offense." Supporters cheered in the courtroom.
Linehan spoke to supporters following the court result, saying the decision was "very welcome but this case should never have got to court. There has been a troubling pattern of police forces around the country to 'believe' trans-rights activists, time and time again, even when there has been overwhelming evidence that complaints have been made against gender critical campaigners in bad faith," reports the Impartial Reporter.
"The police have failed in their duty to properly and fairly investigate—preferring instead to support one side over the other in a debate. All this has done is erode the faith the public should be able to have in the police. We are sick of two-tier policing and I hope with today's verdict it will end."
He went on to say "I am proud that I have never given in and I will not do. I have been lifted through support from friends and strangers, from women's rights groups to London cabbies who have taken the time to stop and shake my hand."
When Brooks took the stand in November to testify against Linehan, the activist said during cross-examination that it would be a feather in Brooks' cap to gain a conviction against Linehan, who speaks out against trans ideology.
In November, UK District Judge Briona Clarke stated that Linehan was a "generally credible witness" and seemed to be "genuinely frank and honest" when giving his testimony in the case. Linehan had been convicted for tossing the phone of trans activist Sophia Brooks, a trans-identified male. The original altercation took place in October 2024.
Linehan, reported Sky News in November, "has been cleared of harassment against a trans activist but guilty of criminal damage to their phone." Clarke said Linehan's behavior had not reached the threshold of criminal harassment. Of Brooks, Clarke said the activist was not "entirely truthful" and not "as alarmed or distressed" following the interaction with Linehan.
In the new ruling from Tipples, she said that Brooks had initially reported harassment but not phone damage. "It is not until the 7th of November 2024 that the complainant takes her phone to the Apple store for an assessment of damage that Mr. Linehan 'may have caused,'" referencing a police report.
The writer had made comments on social media that were offensive to Brooks, but Clarke said that while they were "deeply unpleasant, insulting and even unnecessary," they were not "oppressive or unacceptable beyond merely unattractive, annoying or irritating," and did not "cross the boundary from the regrettable to the unacceptable." Those comments included calling Brooks a "domestic terrorist," a "groomer," and an "incel."
Clarke found Linehan guilty of criminal damage for tossing the activist's phone, which Clarke said was done because Linehan was "angry and fed up." Clarke further said that she was "satisfied [Linehan] was not using reasonable force."
That conviction has now been reversed.
"This latest case is merely the latest in being harassed by trans activists using UK police as their enforcers and goons," Linehan told Human Events. "I'm hoping this will make the police a little less ready to believe the accusations of sociopathic men who, having embarked on the fundamental lie of pretending to be the opposite sex, see nothing wrong in lying about people's character and actions. Yes, it's a very good day for me."
"Having considered all the evidence before us, we cannot be sure that the damage to the complainant’s phone was caused by Mr. Linehan on the evening of the 19th of October 2024," said Tipples. "We therefore find Mr. Linehan not guilty of the offense." Supporters cheered in the courtroom.
Linehan spoke to supporters following the court result, saying the decision was "very welcome but this case should never have got to court. There has been a troubling pattern of police forces around the country to 'believe' trans-rights activists, time and time again, even when there has been overwhelming evidence that complaints have been made against gender critical campaigners in bad faith," reports the Impartial Reporter.
"The police have failed in their duty to properly and fairly investigate—preferring instead to support one side over the other in a debate. All this has done is erode the faith the public should be able to have in the police. We are sick of two-tier policing and I hope with today's verdict it will end."
He went on to say "I am proud that I have never given in and I will not do. I have been lifted through support from friends and strangers, from women's rights groups to London cabbies who have taken the time to stop and shake my hand."
When Brooks took the stand in November to testify against Linehan, the activist said during cross-examination that it would be a feather in Brooks' cap to gain a conviction against Linehan, who speaks out against trans ideology.
In November, UK District Judge Briona Clarke stated that Linehan was a "generally credible witness" and seemed to be "genuinely frank and honest" when giving his testimony in the case. Linehan had been convicted for tossing the phone of trans activist Sophia Brooks, a trans-identified male. The original altercation took place in October 2024.
Linehan, reported Sky News in November, "has been cleared of harassment against a trans activist but guilty of criminal damage to their phone." Clarke said Linehan's behavior had not reached the threshold of criminal harassment. Of Brooks, Clarke said the activist was not "entirely truthful" and not "as alarmed or distressed" following the interaction with Linehan.
In the new ruling from Tipples, she said that Brooks had initially reported harassment but not phone damage. "It is not until the 7th of November 2024 that the complainant takes her phone to the Apple store for an assessment of damage that Mr. Linehan 'may have caused,'" referencing a police report.
The writer had made comments on social media that were offensive to Brooks, but Clarke said that while they were "deeply unpleasant, insulting and even unnecessary," they were not "oppressive or unacceptable beyond merely unattractive, annoying or irritating," and did not "cross the boundary from the regrettable to the unacceptable." Those comments included calling Brooks a "domestic terrorist," a "groomer," and an "incel."
Clarke found Linehan guilty of criminal damage for tossing the activist's phone, which Clarke said was done because Linehan was "angry and fed up." Clarke further said that she was "satisfied [Linehan] was not using reasonable force."
That conviction has now been reversed.
