last updated: Wednesday 26 September 2007, 10:04am

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ITV defends Kyle show over 'baiting'

The Jeremy Kyle Show has been defended by ITV bosses after a judge branded it a 'human form of bear baiting'.

The comments came during the sentencing of a man who headbutted his love rival during filming of the show. He is thought to be the first person convicted of assaulting someone on a British talk show.

Security guard David Staniforth, 45, attacked Larry Mahoney, 39, after discovering he had begun an affair with his wife of 26 years, Jennifer, 42, after moving into their home as a lodger.

Staniforth, of Jago Avenue, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, was fined £300 plus £60 costs after he lashed out at bus driver Mr Mahoney during a recording of the show on May 16 this year.

Passing sentence at Manchester Magistrates Court on Monday, District Judge Alan Berg criticised the programme as aiming to 'effect a morbid and depressing display of dysfunctional people'.

He said: '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 baiting 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.'

ITV defended its conduct, saying it had always opposed violence and disagreed with the judge's comments about their viewers.

An ITV spokeswoman said: 'We take the safety and well-being of studio guests extremely seriously. It is made clear to all guests prior to going into the studio that no violence is ever tolerated.

'On the rare occasions when physical aggression is displayed, we take immediate steps to contain any confrontation, if necessary involving studio security.'

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.