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Christian Bale Denies Assaulting Mother and Sister
Christian Bale by Ferdaus Shamim/ WireImage.com
The day after The Dark Knight set box-office records here in the U.S., franchise front man Christian Bale was arrested in London, where his mother and sister accused him of assault.
The Welsh actor, who denies the allegations, turned himself in to a police station, where he was questioned for several hours and released without being charged, Bale's London-based law firm, Schillings, said in a statement on Tuesday.
Though Scotland Yard has not confirmed the identity of the accused, British media reported the actor's mother and sister filed a complaint, saying that Bale assaulted them at a London hotel on Sunday — the day before Dark Knight's European premiere. By some accounts, the questioning of Bale was held off until Tuesday, so as to not taint the opening-night event.
"Christian Bale attended a London Police station today, on a voluntary basis, in order to assist with an allegation that had been made against him to the police," the statement read. "Mr. Bale, who denies the allegation, cooperated throughout, gave his account in full of the events in question, and has left the station without any charge being made against him by the police."
According to the U.K. Telegraph, Christian's sister Sharon, 41, would not give details about the case. "There was an incident but the police are dealing with it," she said. "It is an extremely sensitive situation. There is nothing more I can say." Christian's mother, Jenny Bale, 61, meanwhile, is reported to have said, "Yes I was there and yes there was a family situation but the police are handling it."
As a family, the Bales moved several times during Christian's childhood, from Portugal to Oxfordshire and finally, Bournemouth. Bale's mother was a circus performer and currently lives near Bournemouth.
Christian Bale's father, David, grew up in South Africa but left to join the British Royal Air Force. He and Jenny separated in 1991, when Christian was 17, and father and son moved to Los Angeles four years after the split. David died from a brain tumor in 2003, with his Christian at his side. — Matt Mitovich
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Jul 22, 2008 8:34 AM
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Hmmm.. interesting. I hope it's not true as I really like Christian Bale. But we all know how stories get twisted and turned around, or come out as just flatout lies.
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Jul 22, 2008 9:05 AM
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TellingMyTruth: "But we all know how stories get twisted and turned around, or come out as just flatout lies."
Exactly. In this day and age, where everyone and their mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, father has a cell phone with a camera, not to mention the frenzy of the papparazzi, IF this happened, don't you think it would have been caught on film, so to speak?
The cynic in me doubts the veracity whenever there are "according to reports", but no hard facts, something like an ACTUAL report filed.
I've NEVER heard of Christian Bale being involved in something like this--he's done a good job of staying out of the public's eye regarding his personal life.
I suspect it has more to do with the HUGE success of TDK--you know, try to find controversy, bring someone down after you've raised them up, sort of thing.
I hope it's not true.
~Sangeeta
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Jul 22, 2008 9:57 AM
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It just shows you how some actors are just spoiled and even in the event of an accusation of a crime they get special treatment ! No wonder why the "wild ones" are the way they are look what role models they have. Actors get paid ridiculous amounts of money and get to do what ever when ever they want, if that was an "Average person" are butts would already be locked up and the key thrown away !
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Jul 22, 2008 10:06 AM
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I could care less what he's accused of. Look how good he looks with that haircut! *swoons*
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Jul 22, 2008 10:20 AM
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I think the fact that he's a public figure with a high profile and that the premiere was a big media event was good reason to delay the arrest.
He has an excellent reputation for being a gentleman. I find this very hard to believe.
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Jul 22, 2008 10:22 AM
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Maybe all the attention that Heath Leger's stunning performance is getting is finally taking it's toll on Christian, and his temper is starting to get the better of him. It can't be easy for the 'star' of the film to be forced take a back seat to a scene stealer like Heath Leger, especially a dead scene stealer who gave a legendary performance in his last completed project. I've seen some interviews of Christian recently and he seems to give off the vibe that the very last thing he wants to be talking about is Heath, and almost appears miffed that interviewers ask about him so much. But that's just my perception.
All that said, I'm with the rest of you; I really hope it's not true. 
Hey Geets, how was TDK the second time around?
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Jul 22, 2008 10:33 AM
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I have a feeling that Mom and Sis want a little attention. I think he has a sister that is an actress and his mom is some type of performer too. They are probably jealous of his HUGE success. Maybe they want some of that Dark Knight money! Whatever, he is still one of the best young actors out there. I doubt that he attacked them.
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Jul 22, 2008 10:47 AM
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RachelScribbles: "Hey Geets, how was TDK the second time around?"
GREAT!
But I have to respectfully disagree with you regarding Christian Bale--he has actually gone out of his way to say he wanted to talk about Heath--there's no jealousy there. This was in the Parade magazine last month. If he appears 'disgruntled' in interviews, I'll lay that at the feet of all of them plugging the movies on all shows, Today, GMA, Morning Show, etc.
And like someone above said--he has always had a reputation of being a gentleman.
Then again, perception is subjective.
~Sangeeta
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Jul 22, 2008 10:51 AM
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Ok, I'll take your word for it. My exposure to TDK and Christian Bale pales in comparison to yours. So I'll bow to the master. 
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Jul 22, 2008 10:55 AM
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People can spend a lifetime guessing and only time will tell if this is true or not. Even that might not tell since the public often doesn't know the truth. I hope it isn't true because I love Christian Bale as a performer. He is one who totally immerses himself in his roles and it shows. I would hate to think there would be fewer movies for me to see with him because of something like this.
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Jul 22, 2008 10:55 AM
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As a fan of Bale's, I hope this isn't true. That said, I don't think it's any more appropriate to assume that his mother and sister are jealous/moneygrubbing/etc. than it is to assume that Bale must automatically be guilty. Wait and see what emerges -- that is the only fair thing to do.
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Jul 22, 2008 10:56 AM
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My first thought is that something about this smells fishy. If it really happened, my bad, but I don't recall hearing reports of Mr. Bale being accused of assaulting people, or being arrested for anything, in the past. The timing of it all seems suspicious, to say the least.
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Jul 22, 2008 11:00 AM
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Slightly off topic ... regarding TDK.
It was good, not great. Frankly, the movie ran too long. The ending was almost anticlimatic. It felt like it had ended three times previously, then nope, more kept happening.
And what on earth was with Batman's speaking voice? That forced delivery he had was so ridiculous, that my friends and I were laughing throughout the movie.
Don't get me wrong ... I enjoyed the movie. Heath was fantastic. But TDK is believing its own hype at this point.
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Jul 22, 2008 11:45 AM
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