Jude Law's assault arrest

Sep 5, 2007, 11:22 GMT

Jude Law poses for a photo on the red carpet prior to the screening of the film \'Sleuth\'during the Venice Film Festival, in Venice, northern Italy, 30 August 2007. EPA/CLAUDIO ONORATI

Jude Law has been arrested for allegedly attacking a photographer.

The actor is said to have hit the shutterbug in the face and kicked him to the ground after first accusing him of trying to take pictures of his children.

The alleged victim - who was at a bus stop near Jude's west London home - was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for a hand injury.

The photographer claimed: "I was at a bus stop near Jude's house, but I wasn't taking pictures of him - my camera was still in the bag.

"He was by himself when he recognised me and started accusing me of wanting to take pictures of his children.

"He then punched me in the face and started kicking me. I was shocked at his behaviour."

After the reported incident, which happened yesterday (04.09.07), Jude voluntarily went to a police station and was later released on bail.

A police spokesman said: "A 34-year-old man from Maida Vale was today arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm, after voluntarily attending a central London police station.

"The arrest followed an allegation of an assault outside a residential address in Maida Vale, London W9.

"The victim sustained an injury to his hand and he was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service."

Jude has made no secret of his dislike for paparazzi, claiming they are all stalkers.

He said: "The invasion of photographers in a lot of people's lives is too much.

"If you took away their cameras they would be stalkers and freaks. Most of them are, anyway, or at least they look like it.

"They follow me to sets every day, hoping I'll fall, hoping I'll get hit by a car, hoping a bird will s**t on my head.

"And then there's a story. People either know that or they don't."

(C) BANG Media International