Christian Bale's money rage

Christian Bale at 'The Dark Knight' premiere

Christian Bale allegedly "pushed and shoved" his mother after being asked for money.

'The Dark Knight' actor - who is accused of assaulting mum Jenny, 61, at his Dorchester Hotel suite in London's West End on Sunday (20.07.08) - reportedly flew into a rage after Jenny and his sister Sharon, 41, requested £100,000 to help raise Sharon's three daughters.

A legal source close to the case told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Christian is a very wealthy young man and was asked to help his sister out financially.

"He was asked to loan her £100,000 but he refused and that caused an almighty row.

"During that row, the women claim he assaulted them by pushing and shoving them. Both Jenny and Sharon are terribly upset over what happened.

"They did not want any publicity. But they say he bullied them. They are both devastated that it has come to this but want him to be taught a lesson."

Jenny - who works as a part-time clown in Bournemouth - is also believed to have aggravated the star after making insulting comments about wife Sandra 'Sibi' Blazic.

The women reported the Welsh-born actor to police on Monday (21.07.08), the day of the European premiere of 'The Dark Knight'.

Christian voluntarily handed himself into officers on Tuesday (22.07.08) and was questioned for four hours, arrested and then released on bail.

The star must return to Britain in September to answer bail.