Jack Bayles, head of comedy at independent TV production company Various Artists Limited (VAL), has been asked to step back from the company after being accused of watching and laughing while Russell Brand sexually assaulted a woman. He will no longer work on two sitcoms the business was making for the BBC.
At Southwark Crown Court on Thursday (November 5), Brand learned that a jury found him guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The jury deliberated for eight and a half hours.
Verdict and Sentencing
Brand was cleared by the jury of two counts of rape and one charge of attempted indecent assault. His sentencing hearing will take place on Monday (November 9).
Bayles, a former associate of Brand, had been involved in the production of BBC sitcoms Such Brave Girls and Push through his work at VAL. In the past he produced the Channel 4 sitcom Catastrophe.
Allegations Against Bayles
Brand was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman while recording a project for Channel 4. During the trial, the court heard that in 2009, Bayles and Gareth Roy, another member of Brand's team, forced a young female staffer to give him a massage.
After she reluctantly agreed, Brand thrust his head into her groin and only got up again when apparently insulted that she had commented on his 'bony' body, the court heard. "I was so repulsed by the situation," she told the trial, and said she complained afterwards to her Channel 4 bosses.
Statements from VAL and Bayles
A statement from Various Artists Limited read: "We have asked Jack Bayles to step back from the company while we consider the verdict and events surrounding the trial. Our thoughts, though, are primarily with every one of Brand's victims at this time."
Bayles told The Times in a statement: "I am appalled and sickened by Brand's actions and have co-operated fully and voluntarily with the investigation and endeavoured to assist as best I can.
"However, I do not remember the incident that took place 17 years ago in 2009. But I acknowledge that I clearly missed something at the time and did not see nor recognise that it caused distress. For that I am sincerely sorry.
"At the time of the offence, I was in the early stages of my career, and it was a frantic, pressured and toxic working environment. Brand was chaotic, dismissive and manipulated the people around him."
He continued: "It was due to that, that I made the decision to stop working with him in 2010 and have not had any contact with him since. During my time working with Brand, no complaints were made to me about his behaviour, and I am unaware if any were raised to anyone else more senior to me.
"I would never willingly or proactively wish to make anyone feel uncomfortable, unsafe or unsupported at work. If I was ever present when Brand acted inappropriately and I failed to spot it and step in, then I sincerely apologise."
