Tooting Gull
Well-known member
- Jul 5, 2003
- 11,033
I wish I'd said all this, the judge is spot on. He has correctly identified everything that is wrong with Trisha/Kyle/the rest.
A JUDGE has called for producers of a daytime TV talk show to be “in the dock” – for promoting “bear-bating” as entertainment.
District Judge Alan Berg was appalled as he heard how David Staniforth, 45, had attacked a fellow guest on ITV1’s The Jeremy Kyle Show.
Security guard Staniforth told the audience how bus driver Larry Mahoney, 39, had an affair with his now estranged-wife Jennifer, 42, after moving into their home as a lodger.
But as the pair squared up on stage in front of the cameras furious Staniforth was filmed head-butting his love rival, leaving him with blood pouring from his face.
Yesterday Staniforth made legal history as the first person ever convicted of assault on a British talk show – but escaped jail after the judge said he was provoked by the format of the programme.
(QUALITY)
Judge Berg said: "The circumstances of this case are exceptional and the provocation seems paramount.
"I’ve had the misfortune of viewing the Jeremy Kyle show and I feel bound to make some observations in that regard.
"It seems to me the whole purpose of the show is to affect a morbid and depressing display of dysfunctional people who are in some kind of turmoil.
"It is for no more and no less than titillating members of the public who have nothing better to do with their mornings than sit and watch this show, which is a human form of bear-bating which goes under the guise of entertainment.
"The people responsible for this, namely the producers, should in my opinion be in the dock with you Mr Staniforth.
"They pretend that there is some virtue in putting this out there. These are wholly exceptional circumstances and the degree of provocation was so substantial that I propose to deal with you in an exceptional way.
"Violence can never be excused but there was no serious injury caused to the victim and some people may say that this was justice."
Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how Staniforth, of Chesterfield, Derbys, appeared on The Jeremy Kyle Show, filmed at Manchester’s Granada Studios, last May.
He agreed to go on the show with his blonde wife Jennifer, to talk about their marriage problems.
The couple had been married for 26 years and Mr Mahoney, a family friend, was staying with them as a lodger.
But Staniforth grew suspicious that his wife was having an affair with their house guest and the marriage broke down in March 2007.
In true TV dramatic-style, Mahoney was waiting in the wings to come on stage and when he was introduced by Kyle there was a row.
Prosecutor*Alexandra Mann*explained: "Mr Mahoney walked towards Staniforth who got off his chair and there was a brief argument.
“All of a sudden, and without warning, Staniforth headbutted the victim in the face causing his nose to bleed."
A video of the incident showed Mr Kyle shouting at Staniforth to get off stage and to tell the guests to remain calm as security staff rushed onto the stage.
Mahoney suffered a sore and swollen nose as a result of the attack and that he later reported the incident to police.
The programme – watched by an estimated 1.5 million viewers – was broadcast earlier this year with the violent attack edited out.
Bizarrely, the court heard ITV refused to give police a copy of the incriminating tape until officers obtained a court order forcing the broadcaster to release it.
The 65-minute Jeremy Kyle show has been broadcast on weekday mornings for two years and specialises in angry confrontations between love rivals and warring families.
Staniforth admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was fined £300, plus £60 costs. He was not ordered to pay any compensation.
Defending himself, Staniforth said he initially refused to appear on the show but changed his mind after believing Jennifer was considering a reconciliation.
It was also the first time he had seen Mr Mahoney since they had moved out and set up home together.
Father-of-one Staniforth said: "While I was out working my guts out on a night shift making money to pay the mortgage – my wife was at home in bed with the lodger.
"The producer said to me that he had spoken to my wife and there might be a chance of reconciliation. I think now that was just a ploy to get me on the show.
"Had I not been on the show I would never have come into contact with Larry and would not have gone looking for him. I am doing my best to stay away from him.
"Jeremy Kyle was very rude to me – he believed everything that my wife said – even though he didn’t know me.
"Then when Larry came out he started pointing me and shouting and before I knew it I was on my feet and I head-butted him.
"The bouncers on the show did not stop it until after I had head-butted him."
He added: "I’m putting my hands up to what I did but I feel totally manipulated by the producers who took advantage of the fact I wanted to see my ex.
"Jeremy was getting me in a state; I felt set up. I would warn anyone to steer clear of these programmes. They aim to provoke you – that is what they are there for."
An ITV spokeswoman said: "Guests are always fully informed from the outset about who is involved and who they will be speaking to on the programme.
"The aim was to help everyone who took part resolve their pre-existing conflict and although discussions often become heated we never encourage or tolerate violence."
A JUDGE has called for producers of a daytime TV talk show to be “in the dock” – for promoting “bear-bating” as entertainment.
District Judge Alan Berg was appalled as he heard how David Staniforth, 45, had attacked a fellow guest on ITV1’s The Jeremy Kyle Show.
Security guard Staniforth told the audience how bus driver Larry Mahoney, 39, had an affair with his now estranged-wife Jennifer, 42, after moving into their home as a lodger.
But as the pair squared up on stage in front of the cameras furious Staniforth was filmed head-butting his love rival, leaving him with blood pouring from his face.
Yesterday Staniforth made legal history as the first person ever convicted of assault on a British talk show – but escaped jail after the judge said he was provoked by the format of the programme.
(QUALITY)
Judge Berg said: "The circumstances of this case are exceptional and the provocation seems paramount.
"I’ve had the misfortune of viewing the Jeremy Kyle show and I feel bound to make some observations in that regard.
"It seems to me the whole purpose of the show is to affect a morbid and depressing display of dysfunctional people who are in some kind of turmoil.
"It is for no more and no less than titillating members of the public who have nothing better to do with their mornings than sit and watch this show, which is a human form of bear-bating which goes under the guise of entertainment.
"The people responsible for this, namely the producers, should in my opinion be in the dock with you Mr Staniforth.
"They pretend that there is some virtue in putting this out there. These are wholly exceptional circumstances and the degree of provocation was so substantial that I propose to deal with you in an exceptional way.
"Violence can never be excused but there was no serious injury caused to the victim and some people may say that this was justice."
Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how Staniforth, of Chesterfield, Derbys, appeared on The Jeremy Kyle Show, filmed at Manchester’s Granada Studios, last May.
He agreed to go on the show with his blonde wife Jennifer, to talk about their marriage problems.
The couple had been married for 26 years and Mr Mahoney, a family friend, was staying with them as a lodger.
But Staniforth grew suspicious that his wife was having an affair with their house guest and the marriage broke down in March 2007.
In true TV dramatic-style, Mahoney was waiting in the wings to come on stage and when he was introduced by Kyle there was a row.
Prosecutor*Alexandra Mann*explained: "Mr Mahoney walked towards Staniforth who got off his chair and there was a brief argument.
“All of a sudden, and without warning, Staniforth headbutted the victim in the face causing his nose to bleed."
A video of the incident showed Mr Kyle shouting at Staniforth to get off stage and to tell the guests to remain calm as security staff rushed onto the stage.
Mahoney suffered a sore and swollen nose as a result of the attack and that he later reported the incident to police.
The programme – watched by an estimated 1.5 million viewers – was broadcast earlier this year with the violent attack edited out.
Bizarrely, the court heard ITV refused to give police a copy of the incriminating tape until officers obtained a court order forcing the broadcaster to release it.
The 65-minute Jeremy Kyle show has been broadcast on weekday mornings for two years and specialises in angry confrontations between love rivals and warring families.
Staniforth admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was fined £300, plus £60 costs. He was not ordered to pay any compensation.
Defending himself, Staniforth said he initially refused to appear on the show but changed his mind after believing Jennifer was considering a reconciliation.
It was also the first time he had seen Mr Mahoney since they had moved out and set up home together.
Father-of-one Staniforth said: "While I was out working my guts out on a night shift making money to pay the mortgage – my wife was at home in bed with the lodger.
"The producer said to me that he had spoken to my wife and there might be a chance of reconciliation. I think now that was just a ploy to get me on the show.
"Had I not been on the show I would never have come into contact with Larry and would not have gone looking for him. I am doing my best to stay away from him.
"Jeremy Kyle was very rude to me – he believed everything that my wife said – even though he didn’t know me.
"Then when Larry came out he started pointing me and shouting and before I knew it I was on my feet and I head-butted him.
"The bouncers on the show did not stop it until after I had head-butted him."
He added: "I’m putting my hands up to what I did but I feel totally manipulated by the producers who took advantage of the fact I wanted to see my ex.
"Jeremy was getting me in a state; I felt set up. I would warn anyone to steer clear of these programmes. They aim to provoke you – that is what they are there for."
An ITV spokeswoman said: "Guests are always fully informed from the outset about who is involved and who they will be speaking to on the programme.
"The aim was to help everyone who took part resolve their pre-existing conflict and although discussions often become heated we never encourage or tolerate violence."