Father Ted creator Graham Linehan called a transgender activist a "deeply disturbed sociopath" in "vindictive" social media posts, a court has heard.

The 57-year-old Irish comedy writer is on trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court accused of harassing trans woman Sophia Brooks.

District Judge Briony Clarke said the prosecution would address the complainant according to their "affirmed gender name" while stating that the defendant's position was that the "complainant is male".

The judge added: "No party seeks to police the other's use of language. Neither party wishes the use of language to disrupt proceedings."

Prosecutor Julia Faure Walker said Linehan had posted about the activist "relentlessly" and that his posts were "oppressive".

Ms Faure Walker added: "They were verball

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