Father Ted creator Graham Linehan has been cleared of harassment against a trans activist but guilty of criminal damage to their phone.
The 57-year-old comedy writer, who had faced trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court, denied both charges linked to posts made on social media and a confrontation at a conference in London in October 2024.
Summarising her judgment, District Judge Briony Clarke started by saying it was not for the court to pick sides in the debate about sex and gender identity.
She said she found Linehan was a "generally credible witness" and appeared to be "genuinely frank and honest", and that she was not satisfied his conduct amounted to harassment.
The 57-year-old comedy writer, who had faced trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court, denied both charges linked to posts made on social media and a confrontation at a conference in London in October 2024.
Summarising her judgment, District Judge Briony Clarke started by saying it was not for the court to pick sides in the debate about sex and gender identity.
She said she found Linehan was a "generally credible witness" and appeared to be "genuinely frank and honest", and that she was not satisfied his conduct amounted to harassment.
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Schools across the UK were locked down this autumn as part of a state drill to tackle the threat of a new deadly virus.
Exercise Pegasus, which concluded last month and involved all major government departments, was the biggest pandemic simulation exercise the country has ever held.
Those participating in the drill were told a novel enterovirus had broken out on a fictional Island in southeast Asia before spreading across the world.
Unlike Covid-19, which disproportionately affected older age groups, the new virus was most lethal in the young. The virus, “EV-D68”, was said to cause respiratory failure, brain swelling and – in rare cases – paralysis in infants, children and teenagers.
Exercise Pegasus, which concluded last month and involved all major government departments, was the biggest pandemic simulation exercise the country has ever held.
Those participating in the drill were told a novel enterovirus had broken out on a fictional Island in southeast Asia before spreading across the world.
Unlike Covid-19, which disproportionately affected older age groups, the new virus was most lethal in the young. The virus, “EV-D68”, was said to cause respiratory failure, brain swelling and – in rare cases – paralysis in infants, children and teenagers.
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David Clews's latest on why the European 'elites' may see some form of war with Russia as the only way out due to the collapsing state of public finances and the economy.
Read now: https://unitynewsnetwork.co.uk/navy-chief-says-britain-must-prepare-for-war/
Read now: https://unitynewsnetwork.co.uk/navy-chief-says-britain-must-prepare-for-war/
Unity News Network
Navy Chief says Britain 'Must prepare for war'!
As I am sure many of you know I have been an outspoken critic of our involvement in the completely needless Ukraine War. A war that would have been over with after a couple of weeks with minimal casualties. Alas, just like the Covid scam, they couldn't let…
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A man was held down and forced to watch as migrants who smashed into his car raped his 18-year-old fiancée in Italy, according to police in Rome.
The couple, said to have been naked prior to the incident, had parked in a quiet corner of Tor Tre Teste, a park in the eastern part of the capital, minutes before they were surrounded by the group who attacked their vehicle.
Police said the attackers broke the window and first pulled the man, 24, from the car before forcing the woman out as she tried to cover herself with an item of clothing.
The man told cops he was restrained by two of the attackers as his fiancée was dragged a short distance away.
As she was sexually assaulted, he screamed for help, begged them to stop and even threatened revenge, but was unable to break free.
After the attack, all three perpetrators fled the scene. The couple, both Italian, then contracted police and filed a report.
Officers have since arrested three Moroccan men on charges of gang rape and robbery.
The couple, said to have been naked prior to the incident, had parked in a quiet corner of Tor Tre Teste, a park in the eastern part of the capital, minutes before they were surrounded by the group who attacked their vehicle.
Police said the attackers broke the window and first pulled the man, 24, from the car before forcing the woman out as she tried to cover herself with an item of clothing.
The man told cops he was restrained by two of the attackers as his fiancée was dragged a short distance away.
As she was sexually assaulted, he screamed for help, begged them to stop and even threatened revenge, but was unable to break free.
After the attack, all three perpetrators fled the scene. The couple, both Italian, then contracted police and filed a report.
Officers have since arrested three Moroccan men on charges of gang rape and robbery.
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A man has been arrested in connection with the large-scale illegal tipping of waste in Oxfordshire, police have said.
The 39-year-old, from the Guildford area, was arrested on Tuesday following co-operation between the Environment Agency (EA) and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit.
Last week, the EA declared the 40ft-high mountain of waste near Kidlington a "critical incident".
The 39-year-old, from the Guildford area, was arrested on Tuesday following co-operation between the Environment Agency (EA) and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit.
Last week, the EA declared the 40ft-high mountain of waste near Kidlington a "critical incident".
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Adam Brooks of GB News openly advocating Black on White violence against Steve Laws.
The older he gets the more he looks like David Baddiel.
Keep notes on these people.
The older he gets the more he looks like David Baddiel.
Keep notes on these people.
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An Inverness primary school has cancelled its Christmas show after being targeted with "racist and abusive messages" online.
Cauldeen Primary School had planned to stage a festive musical that included a scene and a song about refugee children caught up in the Syrian conflict.
Highland Council said the show has now been axed after the school received "negative feedback on social media", which included "racist and abusive messages".
Police Scotland said it is investigating a report of threatening and abusive communications online.
A force spokesperson added: "Enquiries are ongoing."
Cauldeen Primary School had planned to stage a festive musical that included a scene and a song about refugee children caught up in the Syrian conflict.
Highland Council said the show has now been axed after the school received "negative feedback on social media", which included "racist and abusive messages".
Police Scotland said it is investigating a report of threatening and abusive communications online.
A force spokesperson added: "Enquiries are ongoing."
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A pioneering surgeon who led the first human heart transplant operation in the UK has died, aged 93.
Sir Terence English, who performed the procedure on Keith Castle in 1979, died peacefully at his home in Oxford on Sunday.
Sir Terence, who was born in South Africa in 1932, worked at Royal Papworth Hospital from 1972 to 1995.
Sir Terence English, who performed the procedure on Keith Castle in 1979, died peacefully at his home in Oxford on Sunday.
Sir Terence, who was born in South Africa in 1932, worked at Royal Papworth Hospital from 1972 to 1995.
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Justice Secretary David Lammy is proposing to massively restrict the ancient right to a jury trial by only guaranteeing it for defendants facing rape, murder, manslaughter or other cases passing a public interest test.
An internal government briefing, produced by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for all other Whitehall departments, confirms plans to create a new tier of jury-less courts in England and Wales.
The new courts would deal with most crimes currently considered by juries in Crown Court.
But the MoJ said no final decision had been taken by the government.
The plans show that Lammy, who is also deputy prime minister, wants to ask Parliament to end jury trials for defendants who would be jailed for up to five years.
An internal government briefing, produced by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for all other Whitehall departments, confirms plans to create a new tier of jury-less courts in England and Wales.
The new courts would deal with most crimes currently considered by juries in Crown Court.
But the MoJ said no final decision had been taken by the government.
The plans show that Lammy, who is also deputy prime minister, wants to ask Parliament to end jury trials for defendants who would be jailed for up to five years.
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Richard Branson has announced the death of Lady Joan, his wife of 50 years.
Announcing her death on social media, the Virgin boss wrote: 'Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away.
'She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for.
'She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. Love you forever, Joan x'
Announcing her death on social media, the Virgin boss wrote: 'Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away.
'She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for.
'She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. Love you forever, Joan x'
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An Albanian man has been found guilty of chasing a police officer with a chainsaw in an attempt to murder him.
Liridon Kastrati, 32, had been accused of attempting to kill four officers, but on Tuesday was convicted of an amended charge of attempted murder in relation to one victim, PC Gary Cowan.
Kastrati additionally faced charges of breach of the peace, stealing a car and motoring offences, however those were withdrawn by the prosecution during a trial at the High Court in Paisley.
Judge Gallacher told Kastrati to expect a "significant penalty" when he is sentenced on 19 December.
Liridon Kastrati, 32, had been accused of attempting to kill four officers, but on Tuesday was convicted of an amended charge of attempted murder in relation to one victim, PC Gary Cowan.
Kastrati additionally faced charges of breach of the peace, stealing a car and motoring offences, however those were withdrawn by the prosecution during a trial at the High Court in Paisley.
Judge Gallacher told Kastrati to expect a "significant penalty" when he is sentenced on 19 December.
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Mayors will be able to introduce tourist taxes across England, the government has announced.
A day before the budget, communities secretary Steve Reed said mayors will be given the power to impose a "modest" charge on visitors staying overnight in hotels, bed and breakfasts, guest houses and holiday lets.
The money raised is intended to be invested in local transport, infrastructure and the visitor economy to potentially attract more tourists.
Regional Labour leaders such as London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and Greater Manchester's Andy Burnham have been calling for the measure.
However, the hospitality industry condemned the move as "damaging".
A day before the budget, communities secretary Steve Reed said mayors will be given the power to impose a "modest" charge on visitors staying overnight in hotels, bed and breakfasts, guest houses and holiday lets.
The money raised is intended to be invested in local transport, infrastructure and the visitor economy to potentially attract more tourists.
Regional Labour leaders such as London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and Greater Manchester's Andy Burnham have been calling for the measure.
However, the hospitality industry condemned the move as "damaging".
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Deputies in the Italian parliament have voted unanimously to introduce the crime of femicide – the murder of a woman, motivated by gender – as a distinct law to be punished with a life sentence.
In a symbolic move, the bill was approved on the day dedicated to the elimination of violence against women worldwide.
In a symbolic move, the bill was approved on the day dedicated to the elimination of violence against women worldwide.
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