A British actor threatened to kill his baby and ex-girlfriend after succumbing to a psychotic illness because he was "plucked from obscurity" and "soared to stardom", a court has heard.
James Howson, 24, who starred in the 2011 big screen adaptation of Wuthering Heights, was given a conditional discharge at Leeds Magistrates Court on Monday.
He previously pleaded guilty to the racially aggravated harassment of Shakira Ramdihal in Leeds.
Howson, 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 Ramdihal.
He was sectioned under the Mental Health Act in March and is detained at St James's Hospital in Leeds.
He began acting aggressively towards Ramdihal after his house in the city was burgled while she was looking after it two years ago, prosecutor Manda Harris told the court.
Things got worse after the birth of their daughter in September, when Howson was refused entry to the maternity wing.
On one occasion he threatened to smash the baby's head against the wall and hurled racist abuse at Ramdihal on two occasions, Harris said.
Howson's fame probably contributed to his "bizarre" behaviour, his lawyer Anthony Sugare told the court.
"His bizarre behaviour was largely a result of his psychotic illness," Sugare said.
"It may be that his short film career may have had a detrimental effect on him.
"He was plucked from obscurity from an advert in his local job centre and soared to stardom."
Sugare said it was "reasonable" to guess this had a negative effect on Howson.
Howson sat with his head in his hands for most of the proceedings and spoke only to confirm his name, birthdate and national insurance number. He smiled as he was led out.
