First black Heathcliff admits race threats to mother and his baby

James Howson, 24, who starred in the 2011 big screen adaptation of Wuthering Heights, was yesterday given a conditional discharge at Leeds Magistrates’ Court having previously pleaded guilty to the racially aggravated harassment of Shakira Ramdihal in Leeds.

Howson, who was the first black actor to play Heathcliff, was also given an indefinite restraining order and ordered not to approach, intimidate or communicate directly with Miss Ramdihal.

He was sectioned under the Mental Health Act in March and is being detained in Leeds.

Howson began acting aggressively nearly two years ago, prosecutor Manda Harris told the court. Things got worse soon after the birth of their daughter last September, when Howson was refused entry to the maternity wing to see his child.

The racist insults began after Miss Ramdihal told Howson she did not want him to be present at the registry of their baby’s birth, Ms Harris said.

The next day he was arrested after threatening her on the phone while standing outside her house. Howson was arrested for a breach of the peace then released but telephoned Miss Ramdihal to gloat about his freedom and threatened to kill her.

Police then made him sign a harassment order and Miss Ramdihal did not hear from Howson for over two months. But on November 18 he called her and made death threats. Four days later he racially abused Miss Ramdihal again and was arrested and charged with racially aggravated harassment.

Howson’s rapid rise to fame probably contributed to his behaviour, his lawyer Anthony Sugare told the court.

“He was plucked from obscurity from an advert in his local job centre and soared to stardom,” he said.

Howson sat with his head in his hands and spoke only to confirm his personal details. He smiled as he was led out of the court room.

Elaine Buckle, chairman of the bench, said it was “a very serious offence” but they had to take his mental health into consideration.

Since Howson was subject to an order that could keep him detained until September 26, he should be given a conditional discharge. He was ordered to pay court costs of £350.