Christian Bale Released From Police Custody

Christian Bale was freed from police custody tonight after being held for more than four hours by police investigating claims of assault against his mother and sister.

Scotland Yard said the Batman actor, 34, was released on bail to a date in September pending further inquiries.

Bale was arrested at Belgravia police station, in central London, earlier today after attending by appointment.

Bale was questioned over the claim -- made by his mother Jenny, 61, and sister Sharon, 40. The pair filed their allegation at a police station in Hampshire, England on Monday. It was later referred to the Metropolitan Police.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said earlier, "A 34-year-old man attended a central London police station this morning by appointment.

"He was arrested in connection with an allegation of assault."

The alleged incident was believed to have taken place on Sunday night at Park Lane's Dorchester Hotel where Bale is staying.

Despite the alleged incident and report, Bale was allowed to attend the European premiere of The Dark Knight in London's West End on Monday night alongside stars Maggie Gyllenhaal and Sir Michael Caine.

The film has already stormed the U.S. box office, bringing in $155.34 million in its opening weekend, overtaking Spiderman 3, which took $151.1 million.

The movie was set for a record-breaking weekend, raking in a massive $66.4 million when it opened in U.S. theaters on Friday (18Jul08).

Interest in the film has increased because of the death of Heath Ledger.

His performance as Batman's arch nemesis The Joker, has been widely tipped by critics, as well as Caine, to receive a posthumous Oscar.