LONDON: Oscar-winning Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey has been found not guilty in Britain of nine alleged sex offences against men, marking another legal victory for the star. The trial, which lasted several weeks, ended with majority verdicts in London, clearing Spacey of all charges he faced.
The 64-year-old star of “American Beauty” and “House of Cards” expressed his gratitude to the jury for carefully examining all the evidence before reaching their decision. This verdict comes less than a year after Spacey was cleared of a $40 million sexual misconduct lawsuit in the US and after indecent and sexual assault charges were dropped against him in Massachusetts in 2019.
Throughout the trial, Spacey consistently denied the allegations of sexual offences, which have significantly impacted his once-stellar career. Despite the various accusations, he has never been convicted of any such crimes.
The nine counts faced by Spacey included seven counts of sexual assault, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. The offences were alleged to have occurred in 2005, 2008 in London, and in 2013 in Gloucestershire, western England.
The trial featured evidence from four alleged victims, whose identities remain anonymous for legal reasons. British rock star Elton John also testified as a witness for Spacey during the proceedings.
Impact on Kevin Spacey’s Professional and Personal Life
The prosecution depicted Spacey as a “sexual bully” who took pleasure in making others uncomfortable, including aggressively grabbing men’s crotches. However, Spacey maintained his innocence, calling the claims “madness” and a betrayal.
Kevin Spacey Fowler, as he is formally known, had been on unconditional bail since his initial appearance in a British court last year. The actor’s successful career saw him play prominent roles in movies like “American Beauty,” “Se7en,” and “Superman Returns.” He also served as the artistic director at London’s Old Vic Theatre from 2004 to 2015.
In 2017, Spacey became one of the first stars to face allegations during the #MeToo movement, with multiple young men accusing him of sexual assault. Following the accusations, he was dropped from the final season of “House of Cards” and other projects.
Despite the legal victories, the allegations have undoubtedly impacted Spacey’s professional and personal life. As he addresses the media outside Southwark Crown Court, the actor’s future in the entertainment industry remains uncertain.
