Sir Lenny Henry’s daughter Billie has been given a suspended prison sentence after impersonating her father over email in a “threatening” and “manipulative” manner.

Over video-link, Truro Crown Court heard that Billie Roman Henry had set up a fake email account pretending to be her father, in an attempt to save her relationship with ex-boyfriend Samuel King.

This included an offer – under the guise of the comedian – to pay £40,000 to help his business get out of debt.

It was also heard that the 28-year-old had made a false accusation to her ex that her father had assaulted her, in what was described as an attempt to get “extreme sympathy”.

She sent 185 messages in a five-month period, starting in October 2018 when King tried to end their relationship.

Judge Simon Carr told her: “You were in a relationship with Samuel King and you found forming relationships difficult. When the relationship ended you found it difficult to accept and set up a number of false emails. You sent a barrage of messages, most manipulative and some threatening.

“Your primary motivation was to try and continue the relationship and the messages were very substantial in number and went on for five months. It had a significant psychological and financial effect on him.” 

He continued: “You had an at times unique childhood, which must have been very challenging. You never sought any publicity but publicity follows you for reasons beyond your control.

“I hope you receive the help you need and the support to assist you.”

In addition to an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, Billie was given a five-year restraining order, forbidding her from contacting her ex for that period. She is also required to attend 20 rehabilitation activity sessions.