Leeds: ‘Black Heathcliff’ actor James Howson ‘threatened to kill his own baby’

A FILM actor threatened to kill his own baby and ex-girlfriend after succumbing to a psychotic illness because he was “plucked from obscurity” and “soared to stardom”, a court in Leeds heard today.

James Howson, 24, who starred in the 2011 big screen adaptation of Wuthering Heights, was given a conditional discharge at Leeds Magistrates’ Court.

He previously pleaded guilty to the racially aggravated harassment of Shakira Ramdihal in Leeds.

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Howson, who was the first black actor to play Heathcliff in the film adaptation of Emily Bronte’s classic novel, 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 currently being detained at St James’s Hospital in Leeds.

He began acting aggressively towards Miss Ramdihal after his house in the city was burgled while she was looking after it 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.

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On one occasion he threatened to smash their baby’s head against the wall until she died and hurled racist abuse at Miss Ramdihal on at least two occasions, Ms Harris said.

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

Mr Sugare said: “His bizarre behaviour was largely a result of his psychotic illness.

“It may be that his short film career may have had a detrimental effect on him.

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

Mr Sugare said it was “reasonable” to guess this had a negative effect on Howson.

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, prosecutor Ms Harris told the court.

Miss Ramdihal was so concerned about his behaviour that she changed the date of the registry.

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The next day he was arrested after threatening Miss Ramdihal on the phone while standing outside her house in Avenue Hill.

Howson was arrested for a breach of the peace then released the next day when he telephoned Miss Ramdihal to gloat about his freedom and threatened to kill her, Ms Harris said.

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 said: “I’ll smash her (their daughter’s) head against the wall and there will be no baby. I’ll f***ing kill you”, Ms Harris told the court.

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Four days later he racially abused Miss Ramdihal again and was arrested and charged with racially aggravated harassment.

Howson sat with his head in his hands for most of the proceedings and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and national insurance number. He smiled as he was led out of the court room.

The actor’s behaviour was “disgraceful” but never violent, his lawyer Mr Sugare said.

He said: “I think we have to take into context that they were all threats, there were no acts of violence towards the complainant and the child.

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“He does regret his behaviour which I can describe and concede as being disgraceful.”

Elaine Buckle, chairman of the bench, said: “We do view this as a very serious offence.

“These incidents must have been very unpleasant for the complainant.

“However, we must take into consideration the mental health issues of the defendant.”

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Mrs Buckle said as Howson is currently subject to an order that could keep him detained until September 26, he should be given a conditional discharge.

Howson was ordered to pay court costs of £350, paid at £5 a week from the £50 income support he receives.

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