The alleged victims claimed that the incidents occurred between 2001 and 2013. Throughout the trial, Spacey denied using his status as a powerful A-lister to lure people into bed. Defence barrister, Patrick Gibbs KC, said that Spacey had been “tried by social media” and said to jurors: “It’s not a crime to like sex, even if you’re famous and it’s not a crime to have sex, even if you’re famous, and it’s not a crime to have casual sex. And it’s not a crime to have sex with someone of the same sex because it’s 2023 not 1823.” Over the course of Spacey's trial he was described as a ‘vile sexual predator’ and an ‘atrocious, despicable, disgusting’ human being. The actor himself referred to the allegations as ‘madness’ and ‘a stab in the back’ while he gave evidence in court. [caption id="attachment_778790" align="alignnone" width="1024"]BREAKING: Kevin Spacey cleared of all charges
The actor has been found not guilty of five further charges, four of sexual assault, and one of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity.https://t.co/5UCswmPxrc ? Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/H0uJ2h5X8t — Sky News (@SkyNews) July 26, 2023
(Photo via Getty Images)[/caption]
The American Beauty star denied 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.
Spacey told jurors of “casual indiscriminate sexual encounters” but insisted that one-night stands “doesn’t make me a bad person.”
As the jury were discharged, Spacey held his hand to his chest and mouthed “thank you” as he fought back tears.
In a statement following the jury’s conclusion, the Crown Prosecution Service said that they respect the decision of the court.
