Heathcliff actor in court over racial abuse charges

James Howson, 24, was the first black actor to play the famous role when he starred in the 2011 adaptation of Emily Bronté’s novel.

Howson was originally due to be sentenced last month after admitting the charge but the court was told then he had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and released. But when he was due to appear at Leeds Magistrates’ Court again on Monday Howson failed to turn up, which led to a warrant for his arrest being issued.

His solicitor, Anthony Sugare, said that as Howson now had so many appointments dealing with his mental health that he simply forgot. It was due to his mental health that the case was adjourned to await a psychiatric report. He will appear again next month. Sugare explained his client had been discharged from a hospital in Newcastle last Thursday to the care of the Mental Health Care Crisis team in Leeds.