The prosecution has wrapped up its case against Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey, who is standing trial under his full name, Kevin Spacey Fowler, for alleged sex offences. The trial, taking place at Southwark Crown Court, involves charges of sexual assault and indecent assault spanning the period between 2001 and 2013, all of which Spacey denies.
Throughout the trial, each of the four accusers has provided testimony, describing Spacey as a “sexual bully,” a “vile sexual predator,” and using terms like “slippery,” “atrocious,” “despicable,” and “disgusting” to characterize his alleged behavior.
One complainant claimed that Spacey aggressively grabbed his crotch while driving him to a showbiz party in the early 2000s, likening Spacey’s actions to grooming. Another witness stated that Spacey grabbed his crotch “like a cobra” after meeting at a West End theatre in the mid-2000s, following a barrage of vile comments. A third accuser described Spacey’s panicked expression when his alleged sexual advance was rejected at an expensive property in the Cotswolds in the early 2010s.
On Monday, an aspiring actor recounted an incident from the late 2000s where he claimed Spacey had drugged him and woke up to find the actor performing a sex act on him. The man’s police interview, in which he broke down while describing the alleged assault, was played for the jury.
During the trial, the alleged victims asserted that it was well-known within the theatre world that Spacey was engaged in inappropriate behavior, with one witness alleging that the actor preferred “young straight men.” They also accused Spacey of using his public coming out as gay to disguise his alleged sexual misconduct.
Under cross-examination by Spacey’s lawyer, the accusers denied seeking financial gain or furthering their careers by providing false accounts to the jury.
Prosecutor Shauna Ritchie, on Wednesday, informed the court that Spacey had expressed being “baffled” and “deeply hurt” by the allegations made by one of the accusers, whom he claimed not to recognize. Spacey also denied performing a sex act on the aspiring actor without his consent, stating that he had engaged in consensual encounters with various members of the theatre world.
Spacey has pleaded not guilty to charges including indecent assault, sexual assault, and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent. The trial continues as the defense prepares to present its case.