- Kevin Spacey denies allegations he sexually assaulted three men in Britain.
- Hollywood star was not asked to enter a plea at Westminster magistrates’ court.
- The 62-year-old has been granted unconditional bail and will be able to return to the U.S.
Kevin Spacey Hollywood star “strenuously denies” allegations he sexually assaulted three men in Britain, a court has heard.
Spacey, 62, made his court appearance in front of a throng of cameras and admirers at Westminster magistrates court in Central London.
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The American actor, who has won two Academy Awards, has been granted unconditional bail.
It means he’ll be able to return to the United States before his next court date.
Patrick Gibbs, defending, said: “Mr Spacey strenuously denies any and all criminality in this case.
“He needs to answer these charges if he is to proceed with his life.”
Spacey was not asked to enter a plea to the five allegations, which included four counts of sexual assault and one count of forcing someone to participate in sexual behaviour without their consent. The actor confirmed his full name as Kevin Spacey Fowler, his address as a flat in Waterloo, London, and his date of birth while standing in the dock in a blue suit and dark tie.
The court heard that he has family and a dog in the United States and that he has to be in the country for auditions.
Spacey smiled and nodded to deputy chief magistrate Tan Ikram after being granted unconditional bail. Throughout the 28-minute session, Spacey cast glances towards the crowded press bench and public gallery. The allegations stem from alleged crimes committed in 2005 in London against a man now in his 40s, in 2008 in London against a man now in his 30s, and in 2013 in Gloucestershire against a man now in his 30s.
During this time, Spacey was the artistic director of London’s Old Vic theatre.
The charges against him were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service last month, but he could only be prosecuted formally after he arrived in the UK this week.
After asking if he could address the defendant as Mr Spacey, Mr Ikram said: “You have co-operated, I am told, with authorities in New York and have voluntarily attended these proceedings today.”
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Spacey, who won Oscars for 1995 film The Usual Suspects and 1999’s Amercian Beauty, said last month: “I will voluntarily appear in the UK as soon as can be arranged and defend myself against these charges, which I am confident will prove my innocence.”
He is now due to appear at Southwark crown court, South East London, in July.
