Actor Kevin Spacey fought back tears as he gave evidence in his trial at Southwark Crown Court in London, where he faces a dozen charges of sex offences against four men.
The Oscar-winning actor pleaded not guilty to all charges. Spacey told the court that he was devastated when he was first accused and that his “world exploded.” He expressed disbelief that one of the complainants, who alleges multiple assaults, would “stab him in the back.”
The prosecution described Spacey as a “sexual bully,” with the four accusers claiming he aggressively groped them and engaged in non-consensual sexual acts. Spacey’s emotional testimony revealed the profound impact the allegations had on his life and career, stating that he lost his job, reputation, and everything within days.
One individual claimed that Spacey repeatedly touched their private areas and assaulted them on multiple occasions over a four-year period in the early 2000s.
When questioned about his relationship with this person, Spacey described them as funny, charming, and flirtatious, stating that their interactions gradually became somewhat sexual. However, Spacey maintained that these encounters were consensual and respectful, denying any non-consensual or aggressive behaviour.
Spacey also denied allegations from a second complainant who accused him of subjecting them to sexualized remarks and forcefully grabbing their crotch at a charity event in London. He insisted that he never made the statements alleged and that the assault never took place.
Furthermore, Spacey denied the claims of a third complainant who stated that the actor performed oral sex on them while they were unconscious in Spacey’s London apartment in the late 2000s. According to Spacey, their encounter was consensual, and he was unsure if the complainant regretted it afterward.
Regarding the fourth complainant, who accused Spacey of an “awkward” hug, neck kissing, and crotch grabbing, Spacey acknowledged that he may have made what his lawyer described as a “clumsy pass” but denied any sexual assault.
He also addressed the accusation made by actor Anthony Rapp, which led to his initial downfall, emphasising that members of the LGBTQ community misinterpreted his response.
Spacey’s defence lawyer argued that the complainants reimagined consensual encounters with a negative spin or fabricated their accounts. The trial continues, with 63 year old Spacey expected to face further questioning from the prosecution. Currently, he is free on unconditional bail. If convicted, he could face imprisonment.