London: Kevin Spacey “strenuously” denies allegations of intercourse offences, his lawyer mentioned on Thursday because the Oscar-winning actor made his first look at a British courtroom to face fees courting again virtually 20 years.
Spacey is accused of 5 offences in Britain – 4 counts of sexual assault by touching, and a extra severe cost of inflicting an individual to have interaction in penetrative sexual exercise with out consent. Prosecutors say Spacey compelled a person to have oral intercourse.
Actor Kevin Spacey arrives on the Westminster Magistrates courtroom in London on Thursday.Credit score:AP
Spacey, sporting glasses and a light-weight blue go well with, was met by a mass of media as he arrived at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court docket, with safety guards compelled to battle their method by way of TV crews and photographers.
Inside, he spoke solely to verify his title as Kevin Spacey Fowler and his London handle when he appeared within the dock. Spacey confirmed little emotion through the brief listening to.
“Mr Spacey strenuously denies any and all criminality on this case,” defence lawyer Patrick Gibbs informed the courtroom. He mentioned the actor had answered all of the allegations in questioning three years in the past in the USA, and cooperated absolutely with the investigation.
“He must reply these fees if he’s to proceed together with his life,” Gibbs mentioned. “He has at all times denied that there was any criminality in these allegations.”
If discovered responsible of sexual assault, he would face a six-month jail sentence or a limiteless fantastic, whereas the opposite offence carries a most punishment of life imprisonment.
Spacey, who the prosecution and decide courtroom initially known as “Mr Fowler”, will subsequent seem at London’s Southwark Crown Court docket on July 14.
He was granted unconditional bail, with Gibbs saying he wanted to have the ability to depart Britain for work and since his household was in the USA, together with his 9-year-old canine.
