27 February 2012 Last updated at 06:56 ET

Wuthering Heights actor James Howson sectioned

James Howson will now be sentenced next month

The sentencing of a film actor who racially abused his ex-girlfriend has been adjourned after he was sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

James Howson, 24, of Haslewood Close, Leeds, admitted racially aggravated harassment last month and was due to be sentenced at Leeds Magistrates' Court.

The case was adjourned after the court heard he was in a Newcastle hospital.

Howson starred in the latest film adaptation of Wuthering Heights, which was released last year.

He won the role after he attended auditions advertised on a JobCentre wall and was the first black actor to ever play Emily Bronte's Heathcliff.

Speaking outside the court Anthony Sugare, Howson's solicitor, said: "The position is that on arriving at court this morning, I was told that the court itself had heard from the hospital that he had been taken in there under the Mental Health Act for a period of 28 days for observation."

At a previous hearing the court was told Howson shouted racist abuse and threats at his former girlfriend after their three-year relationship ended.

Howson is now expected to be sentenced on 26 March.