Bale to Jail. The Dark Knight Locked Up for Assault

Actor Christian Bale, star of The Dark Knight (which is currently heading north of $200 million in box office worldwide) has been arrested in London on allegations of assaulting his mother and sister, reportedly at the Dorchester Hotel.

As reported locally here, Bale's mother Jenny, 61, and sister Sharon, 40, were said to have gone to a police station in Hampshire to make the complaint, which was then referred to the Metropolitan Police.

The latest police statement said, "A 34-year-old man attended a London police station on Tuesday by appointment and was arrested in connection with an allegation of assault. He currently remains in custody."

One of the ironies involved is that while the press and various web sites have opined that Ledger's death by accidental overdose has lent an aura that's contributed to the film's record-setting box office, the studio has drawn praise for avoiding any exploitation of that aspect.

If the Guardian newspaper's report is correct, Bale was permitted to do press conferences and appear at the premiere Tuesday even after the accusation was lodged on Monday, which might be inferred as quick work on the part of studio fixers. How they handle their public stance now that the bat fur has hit the fan should be very interesting to observe. Hold on for either continuing silence, or the Jay Leno "What were you thinking?" appearance. 

Photo: Christian Bale leaving Belgravia Police Station in central London. By Johnny Green/PA Wire/AP Images