Kevin Spacey trial: Oscar-winning actor is a 'sexual bully', court hears
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Kevin Spacey, the Oscar-winning Hollywood actor, is a predatory “sexual bully” who exploited his “illustriousness and influence” to attack four young men for his own gratification, a court has heard.
The 63-year-old star of hits including American Beauty, The Usual Suspects and House of Cards, was accused of “taking what and who he wanted” when he aggressively grabbed and groped the crotches of his victims.
The actor, who is charged under his full name of Kevin Spacey Fowler, delighted in making others feel powerless and uncomfortable, and even allegedly sexually assaulted one young man while he was asleep.
The court heard how Mr Spacey, who is an American citizen, had moved to London in 2001 to take up a role at the Old Vic theatre.
But during his time in the UK he is accused of attacking four men in their 20s and 30s during 12 years.
With the defendant sitting in the glass walled dock of Court One at Southwark Crown Court listening intently, prosecutor Christine Agnew KC told the jury that Mr Spacey was an “extremely famous actor who has won a number of awards”.
But warning them against becoming “starstruck”, she said: “He is also, the prosecution allege, a man who sexually assaults other men.
“A man who does not respect personal boundaries or space, a man who it would seem delights in making others feel powerless and uncomfortable – a sexual bully.”
Ms Agnew explained that Mr Spacey’s “preferred method of assault” was to aggressively grab other men by the crotch.
He is also accused of performing a sex act on an aspiring actor who had passed out in his Waterloo apartment.
Ms Agnew said: “None of the men wanted to be touched by Kevin Spacey Fowler in a sexual way but he doesn’t seem to have cared very much for their feelings – he did what he wanted to do – for his own personal sexual gratification.”
The court was told some of the men in the case were suing Mr Spacey in the civil courts. The actor’s barrister Patrick Gibbs KC, addressed the jury telling them they would need to consider what the true motivations for the complainants coming forward were.
Setting out the prosecution’s case, Ms Agnew explained that the first complainant had worked for Mr Spacey in the early 2000s and was in his early 30s at the time.
She said the alleged victim recalled how the actor was very “touchy feely” and would speak openly about his sexuality.
Ms Agnew said that on several occasions when they were in a car together Mr Spacey had grabbed and groped the complainant in an aggressive way.
“It may well be that the defendant got a sexual thrill out of this type of sexual aggression. It is certainly a consistent feature of three out of the four complainants,” she said.
It was alleged Mr Spacey had been confident his victim would not tell anyone about the incidents as these events took place 20-years before the Me Too movement.
The man, who cannot be identified, eventually stopped working for Mr Spacey. In 2022 he contacted police after reading about other allegations in the newspapers.
Ms Agnew said: “He didn’t want it to happen to anyone else and he wanted to support those who had already made complaints.”
Turning to the second alleged victim, Ms Agnew said the incident had occurred in 2005 during an event at the Haymarket Theatre in central London.
He claimed Mr Spacey, who smelt of alcohol, had made a series of lewd and sexually suggestive remarks when he walked past him.
The defendant then allegedly put his hand on his leg before later grabbing his crotch “with such force it was painful”.
The court was told the man pushed him away and said: “No I’m not like that.”
Ms Agnew explained that the third alleged victim was an actor who claimed he had been attacked by Mr Spacey at his London home in 2008.
He was 23 and had auditioned for a part in a play at The Old Vic theatre during which he had briefly met Mr Spacey.
After finishing drama school later that year he had written to Mr Spacey “perhaps optimistically hoping to make the most of a loose and relatively remote connection”, the jury was told.
He included a photograph of himself, his telephone number and email address. A few weeks later while out with some friends in a north London pub he received a phone call from Mr Spacey who suggested they meet.
They had a few drinks and then went back to the actor’s apartment in Waterloo where they had a cannabis joint rolled by the defendant.
The complainant said he later passed out on the sofa and when he woke up some hours later his zip was down and Mr Spacey was performing a sex act on him.
Ms Agnew said the alleged victim was in shock and after leaving the apartment went to a bus stop where he “sat down and cried”.
Ms Agnew said the complainant eventually came forward in 2022. He had read about some other allegations in the United States and “wanted to get his story out there”.
Turning to the final complainant, Ms Agnew said that he met Mr Spacey in a pub near Oxford in March 2013.
They had begun talking and the defendant had invited the man and his friends back to a property he was staying in nearby on a private estate called The Lakes by Yoo, telling them he had “wine, beer and spliffs”.
While the complainant was smoking outside the house Mr Spacey had allegedly kissed him on the neck, telling him to “Be cool”.
Ms Agnew said: “As was his predilection he grabbed the victim’s crotch with his hand and squeezed.”
She said the complainant had pushed the defendant against a wall and said: “Sorry man I don’t bat for that team.”
Ms Agnew said the alleged victim had told his father about the incident but only reported it to the police in 2017 when there was publicity about the defendant.
Summing up, Ms Agnew said: “Four men, unknown it seems to each other, all make serious sexual allegations against Kevin Spacey Fowler. Are they lying?
“Have they decided to manufacture allegations against the defendant in order to benefit financially? Is that why they’ve come forward? That will almost certainly be suggested to you by those representing the defendant.
“Or is it the case, as we the prosecution suggest, that Mr Spacey Fowler abused the power and influence that his reputation and fame afforded him; taking advantage of his popularity and prominence, his illustriousness and influence. Taking what and who he wanted when he wanted.”
Mr Spacey’s barrister Patrick Gibbs KC, said it would be their job to decide what had been “reimagined with a sinister spin” and had been “made up and twisted”.
He said: “You will hear some truths, you will hear some half truths, you will hear, I suggest, some deliberate exaggerations and many damned lies.
“You will get some insights into fame, both sides, including the way others behave towards you when you have fame.
“What were the expectations of the complainants both at the time and later? Mr Spacey was rich and influential. What did they want from his wealth and influence and what do they still want?
“What are their true motivations for making the complaints now?
“What role has rumour played in the case? What opportunities have emerged from rumour? Has that left him vulnerable to opportunists?”
Mr Spacey, who faces three counts of indecent assault, seven counts of sexual assault and two counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, denies all the charges.
The case was adjourned until Monday when the jury is expected to hear from the first complainant in the case.
Follow the latest developments below.
12:35 PM BST
Trial adjourned until Monday
That’s all for The Telegraph’s coverage of the Kevin Spacey court case.
It has been adjourned until Monday when the jury is expected to hear from the first complainant in the case.
12:30 PM BST
Casey's barrister addresses the jury
Mr Spacey’s barrister Patrick Gibbs KC, also addressed the jury, telling them: “You will hear some truths, you will hear some half truths, you will hear, I suggest, some deliberate exaggerations and many damned lies.”
“You will get some insights into fame, both sides, including the way others behave towards you when you have fame.
“What were the expectations of the complainants both at the time and later? Mr Spacey was rich and influential. What did they want from his wealth and influence and what do they still want?”
“What are their true motivations for making the complaints now?”
“What role has rumour played in the case? What opportunities have emerged from rumour? Has that left him vulnerable to opportunists?”
12:17 PM BST
Alleged victim claims he told Spacey 'sorry I don't bat for that team'
Ms Agnew went on: “As was his predilection he grabbed the victim’s crotch with his hand and squeezed.”
She said the complainant had pushed the defendant against a wall and said: “Sorry man I don’t bat for that team”.
Ms Agnew said the alleged victim had told his father about the incident at the time but had reported the matter to the police in 2017 when there was publicity about the defendant.
Summing up the prosecution case, Ms Agnew said: “Four men, unknown it seems to each other all make serious sexual allegations against Kevin Spacey Fowler. Are they lying?
“Have they decided to manufacture allegations against the defendant in order to benefit financially? Is that why they’ve come forward – that will almost certainly be suggested to you by those representing the defendant.
“Or is it the case, as we the prosecution suggest that Mr Spacey Fowler abused the power and influence that his reputation and fame afforded him; taking advantage of his popularity and prominence, his illustriousness and influence. Taking what and who he wanted when he wanted.”
12:00 PM BST
Fourth victim alleges attack happened in the Cotswolds
Turning to the fourth and final complainant, Ms Agnew told the jury that the alleged incident had taken place on 31 March 2013 in the Cotswolds.
The jury was told that Mr Spacey had met the alleged victim when he visited a pub near Oxford.
He had invited the man and his friends back to the property he was staying in at a place called The Lakes at Yoo, telling them he had “wine, beer and spliffs”.
The court was told when the alleged victim had been smoking outside the house Mr Fowler kissed his neck twice telling him to “Be cool”.
11:46 AM BST
Third victim claims he woke to to find Spacey assaulting him, court hears
Turning to the third alleged victim, Ms Agnew explained that he was an actor, who had come forward to police in October 2017 reporting an incident in 2008.
The court was told that at the time he was 23-years-old and had auditioned for a part in a play at The Old Vic theatre during which he had briefly met Mr Spacey.
After finishing drama school later that year he had written to Mr Spacey “perhaps optimistically hoping to make the most of a loose and relatively remote connection”.
Ms Agnew explained that he had included a photograph of himself, his telephone number and e-mail address.
A few weeks later while with friends in a North London pub, he had received a phone call from Mr Spacey and they had arranged to meet.
The court was told they had a few drinks and then went back to the actor’s apartment in Waterloo where they had a cannabis joint rolled by the defendant.
But he said he later passed out on the sofa and when he woke up some hours later his zip was down and Mr Fowler was performing a sex act on him.
Ms Agnew said the alleged victim was in shock and after leaving the apartment went to a bus stop where he “sat down and cried”.
11:34 AM BST
Victim came forward after reading about other allegations in press
The alleged victim came forward to police after reading about other allegations in the newspapers.
Ms Agnew told the jury: “He didn’t want it to happen to anyone else and he wanted to support those who had already made complaints.”
Turning to the second alleged victim, Ms Agnew told the jury the incident had occurred in 2005 during a charity event at the Haymarket Theatre in central London.
The jury was told the complainant alleged that Mr Spacey smelt of alcohol and looked like he had not slept.
He said when he walked past, the actor made a series of lewd and sexually suggestive remarks and had put his hand on his leg.
He later alleged that Mr Spacey grabbed his crotch “with such force it was painful”.
The court was told the alleged victim pushed him away and said: “No I’m not like that.”
11:22 AM BST
Spacey was 'very touchy feely'
The court was told that from 2001 Mr Spacey - who is appearing in court under his full name of Kevin Spacey Fowler - worked at The Old Vic theatre, being appointed Artistic Director between 2003 and 2015.
Turning to the specific allegations, Ms Agnew, explained that the first complainant had knew Mr Spacey in the early 2000s.
She said the alleged victim recalled how the actor was very “touchy feely” and would speak openly about his sexuality.
Ms Agnew told the jury that on a number of occasions it is alleged Mr Spacey had grabbed and groped the complainant in an aggressive way.
“It may well be that the defendant got a sexual thrill out of this type of sexual aggression – it is certainly a consistent feature of three out of the four complainants,” she suggested.
The prosecutor said Mr Spacey had appeared confident that the alleged victim was not going to tell anyone about the incidents and she reminded the jury that this took place 20-years before the Me Too movement.
11:12 AM BST
Some men suing Spacey in the civil courts
The court was told some of the men in the case were suing Mr Spacey in the civil courts, but she said it would be up to the jury to decide whether they had taken the “courageous step” to come forward, or if they had come to court “simply to jump on a bandwagon or try to capitalise financially on the situation”.
She also warned the jurors about becoming “star struck” because of Mr Spacey’s fame saying they must endeavour to “remain grounded”.
11:02 AM BST
Spacey accused of grabbing men's crotches
Ms Agnew said Mr Spacey’s “preferred method of assault” was to aggressively grab other men in the crotch.
She explained that during the trial the jury would hear from four alleged victims who had been aged in their 20s and 30s when they claimed the assaults had taken place between 2001 and 2013.
She went on: “None of the men wanted to be touched by Kevin Spacey Fowler in a sexual way but he doesn’t seem to have cared very much for their feelings – he did what he wanted to do – for his own personal sexual gratification.”
10:58 AM BST
Prosecution begins
Prosecutor Christine Agnew KC began her opening of the case by telling the jury that Kevin Spacey Fowler is “extremely famous actor who has won a number of awards” and has starred in many movies and television serials.
But she went on: “He is also, the prosecution allege a man who sexually assaults other men.
“A man who does not respect personal boundaries or space, a man who it would seem delights in making others feel powerless and uncomfortable – a sexual bully.”
10:42 AM BST
Spacey in the dock
Mr Spacey is sat in the glass walled dock of Court One at Southwark Crown Court as the jury file into court.
10:29 AM BST
What are the charges?
Kevin Spacey is facing 12 charges relating to four men. They are:
• Three counts of indecent assault;
• Seven counts of sexual assault;
• One count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent;
• One count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.
Spacey denies all charges.
10:17 AM BST
Jurors forewarned about case's publicity
Jurors were forewarned that the case would gain wide-spread publicity.
They were reminded that although they may know the actor from film and television, under no circumstances should they research or discuss the case.
10:07 AM BST
Spacey spotted in court café earlier today
Ahead of the hearing, Mr Spacey was spotted sitting alone in the cafe of the crown court on the south bank of the River Thames having a coffee.
09:58 AM BST
Prosecution expected to begin outlining case
The prosecution is expected to begin outlining its case on Friday morning after the jury was sworn in on Wednesday.
Mr Spacey is accused of three counts of indecent assault, seven of sexual assault and two of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.
The allegations relate to a period when Mr Spacey was living in London after being appointed the artistic director of the Old Vic theatre.
The prosecution is being led by Christine Agnew KC and the defence team is headed up by Patrick Gibbs KC.
Mr Spacey denies all the charges.
09:57 AM BST
Spacey arrives at court
