Russell Brand: Met Police boss ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if more allegations made about disgraced star

A man who was accused of laughing while Russell Brand sexually assaulted a woman in 2009, has been asked “to step back” from his employer while they consider the verdicts.

Jack Bayles was part of his entourage in 2009 and was said to be present when one of the sexual assaults took place.

Brand had been working on a Channel 4 project when he laid his head into the groin area of a woman who was helping him at the time.

During the trial, the victim told the court Jack Bayles and another member of staff of Brand’s had asked her to give the comedian a massage, and said he wouldn’t continue unless she did. Shortly after – he sexually assaulted her.

She had complained to her manager – who told the court through a statement at the trial that the victim had described how the men had laughed while the attack took place.

In recent years, Jack Bayles has been working for the TV production company, Various Artists Ltd, as their head of comedy.

In a statement, they told the BBC: “We have asked Jack Bayles to step back from the company whilst we consider the verdict and events surrounding the trial. Our thoughts, though, are primarily with every one of Brand’s victims at this time.”

According to his biography on the Various Artists Ltd website, Bayles commissioned shows for Channel 4 including two series Derry Girls and Aisling Bea’s This Way Up, plus Back, Year Of The Rabbit, Frank Of Ireland and Hullraisers.

In a statement, Mr Bayles said he was sorry but doesn’t remember the sexual assault.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

He said at the time of the offence he was in the early stages of his career, calling it “a frantic, pressured and toxic working environment”.

He described Brand as someone who was “chaotic, dismissive and manipulated the people around him”.

The producer said this was why he decided to stop working him in 2010, adding he “has not had any contact with him since”, and that when he worked with him, no complaints were made to him about Brand’s behaviour.

“I am unaware if any were raised to anyone else more senior to me,” he said.

“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”.