Entertainment
Josh Peck addresses former co-star Drake Bell pleading guilty to child endangerment: ‘It’s upsetting’
Josh Peck starred with Drake Bell on Drake & Josh (Picture: WireImage)
Josh Peck has spoken out about his former co-star Drake Bell pleading guilty to child endangerment, describing it as ‘upsetting’ and ‘disappointing’.
Bell, who starred on the popular Nickelodeon show Drake & Josh with Peck, has been sentenced to two years probation after pleading guilty to endangering children, a fourth-degree felony, and a misdemeanour charge of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.
The actor avoided jail after appearing virtually in a Cleveland court, where he was sentenced to two years probation and 200 hours of community service.
Peck told Variety of the charges: ‘It’s upsetting, and it’s an unfortunate situation.
‘It’s disappointing.’
The 34-year-old starred alongside Bell, 35, in their show Drake & Josh from 2004 to 2007, and in three TV movies based on the series.
It followed stepbrothers Drake Parker (Bell) and Josh Nichols (Peck) as they lived together despite having opposite personalities.
Drake & Josh ran from 2004 to 2007 (Picture: WireImage)
The series, which was picked up after they starred together on The Amanda Show, also starred Nancy Sullivan, Jonathan Goldstein, and Miranda Cosgrove.
On Monday, Drake & Josh star Bell, appeared virtually in a Cleveland court.
He is prohibited from contacting the victim, who accused the actor of grooming her from the age of 12 and sexually abusing her when she was 15.
Bell pleaded guilty to child endangerment (Picture: Getty)
Speaking briefly prior to his sentencing, Bell said: ‘I accept this plea because my conduct was wrong. I’m sorry that the victim was harmed in any way, but that was obviously not my intention.
‘I have taken this matter very, very seriously. And again, I just want to apologise to her and anyone else who may have been affected by my actions.’
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Now 19 years old, the victim said: ‘I chose to write this statement because I want justice to be served more than anything. The only time that the defendant has appeared in court in person was on June 3 for his arraignment, which was before the media found out about the case.
‘He has appeared in court today over Zoom instead of appearing in person. This doesn’t surprise me and shows what a coward he is, but I am not a coward.’
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