JPs told to study Lenny Henry

Magistrates have been told to watch Lenny Henry to help them understand black culture.

A new training manual advises JPs - who are overwhelmingly white - to study the comedian's over-the-top characters so they do not stereotype those appearing before them.

The new Youth Court Bench Book says: "Young teenage Afro-Caribbean males will, within their culture, acceptably define their masculinity through behaviour which would be defined as exhibitionism within Western culture."

So it advises magistrates to "reflect upon the way in which Lenny Henry parodies such personalities".

Published: 18 Jun 2001