Actor Kevin Spacey arrives at court this morning to stand trial accused of sex offences
Kevin Spacey trial begins: Jury selection begins as actor faces 12 sex crime claims against four men who are 22 years old
- Spacey faces 12 charges, including assault and indecent assault
- Southwark Crown Court hears allegations between 2001 and 2013
Hollywood star Kevin Spacey’s trial on 12 sex offense charges against four men who are already 22 years old began this morning when the jury was sworn in.
Oscar winner Spacey, 63, arrived at Southwark Crown Court before 9am in a black cab, wearing a dark blue suit with a light blue shirt and pink tie.
He said good morning to those gathered outside the court after he got out of the taxi.
Listed in court under his real name Kevin Spacey Fowler, the actor faces eight charges of sexual assault, three assaults of indecency and one charge of causing penetrative sexual activity by a man without consent.
According to the indictment, Spacey committed felonies of grabbing, squeezing and touching the victim’s genitals and buttocks above clothing.
Three indecent assaults and four assaults date from 2001 to 2004, while five other offenses range from 2005 to 2013.
A court sketch of Spacey in the dock as the trial began this morning in Southwark, London
Kevin Spacey is on trial today on charges of sexual offenses against four men in London
Spacey spoke only to confirm his name from the docks of court number one when he appeared before Mr Justice Wall at court on the south bank of the Thames.
The judge said: “There is clearly some interest from the press in this case and I remind anyone who reports on this case of the automatic reporting restrictions regarding the naming of the complainants.”
Patrick Gibbs, KC, defending the Hollywood star, discussed the jury selection process with the judge.
Potential jurors are given a questionnaire to complete before they are invited to appear on the case.
Spacey, 63, has previously denied 12 charges, including sexual assault and indecent assault
Actor Kevin Spacey arrives at Southwark Crown Court this morning for the start of his trial
Mr Gibbs added: ‘Without a doubt, once you turn to potential jurors, we will send them off with a warning and a number of warnings regarding the use of the internet.’
The judge said, “Due to the amount of publicity, the trial will be more difficult than usual.”
A jury panel of 14 will now be selected from a series of jurors who arrived for jury duty today.
The charges were allegedly brought against three men when Spacey was artistic director of London’s Old Vic theatre.
Three of the latest charges involve indecent assault, all against the same alleged victim, on unknown dates between January 1, 2001 and April 30.
Another three charges allege sexual assault against another alleged victim, on unknown dates between May 1, 2004 and June 24, 2005.
And one of the charges involves soliciting sexual activity of a person without consent on a date between May 1, 2004 and June 24, 2005.
At a first hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June, Spacey’s lawyer, Patrick Gibbs QC, said his client “strongly denies any criminality in this case.”
Originally from New Jersey, USA, Spacey denies all allegations.
Prosecutor Christine Agnew, KC, is expected to open the case before the prosecution on Friday.
The process takes four weeks.
Spacey, a two-time Oscar winner, starred in Glengarry Glen Ross, Seven, LA Confidential and Baby Driver. He also had the leading role in the Netflix series House of Cards.
He remains on unconditional bail.