Kevin Spacey trial begins: Jury selection starts as actor faces claims of 12 sexual offences against four men dating back 22 years
- Spacey is accused of 12 charges including sexual assault and indecent assault
- Southwark Crown Court will hear about allegations from between 2001 to 2013
Hollywood star Kevin Spacey’s trial over allegations of 12 sexual offences against four men dating back 22 years began this morning as the jury was sworn in.
Oscar-winner Spacey, 63, arrived at Southwark Crown Court before 9am in a black taxi, wearing a dark blue suit with a light blue shirt and pink tie.
He said good morning to those assembled outside court after getting out of the cab.
The actor is listed in court under his real name Kevin Spacey Fowler and faces eight allegations of sexual assault, three indecent assaults and a charge of causing a man to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.
According to the indictment, Spacey carried out offences involving grabbing, squeezing, and touching of the victim’s genitals and buttocks over clothing.
Three indecent assaults and four sexual assaults date between 2001 and 2004 while five further offences range from between 2005 to 2013.
A court sketch of Spacey in the dock as the trial began this morning in Southwark, London
Kevin Spacey will stand trial today accused of sex offences against four men in London
Spacey spoke only to confirm his name from within the dock in court number one when he appeared in front of Mr Justice Wall at the court situated on the south bank of the Thames.
The judge said: ‘There is obviously a degree of press interest in this case and I remind anybody who is reporting on this case of the automatic reporting restrictions relating to the naming of the complainants.’
Patrick Gibbs, KC, defending the Hollywood star, discussed the jury selection process with the judge.
Potential jurors will be given a questionnaire to complete before they are invited to serve 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: ‘No doubt that once your Lordship does turn to potential jurors, we will be sending them away with a warning and a number of warnings regarding the use of the internet.’
The judge said: ‘Because of the amount of publicity it will make the trial more difficult than usual.’
A jury panel of 14 is now being selected from a batch of jurors who arrived for jury service today.
The charges are said to have been carried out against three men during the time Spacey was artistic director of London’s Old Vic theatre.
Three of the latest charges relate to indecent assault, all on the same alleged victim, on dates unknown between 1 January 2001 and 30 April.
Another three charges relate to sexual assault on another alleged victim, on dates unknown between 1 May 2004 and 24 June 2005.
And one of the charges relates to causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent on a date between 1 May 2004 and 24 June 2005.
In an initial court hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June, Spacey’s lawyer, Patrick Gibbs QC, said his client ‘strenuously denies any and all criminality in this case’
Spacey, originally from New Jersey, USA, denies all the charges.
Prosecutor Christine Agnew, KC, is expected to open the case for the prosecution on Friday.
The trial is due to last four weeks.
Spacey, a two-time Oscar winner starred in Glengarry Glen Ross, Seven, LA Confidential and Baby Driver. He also had the lead role in the Netflix series House of Cards.
He remains on unconditional bail.
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