House of Cards actor Kevin Spacey has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault.
The 62-year-old actor formally entered a not guilty plea to all five charges at the Old Bailey in central London, having previously said he "strenuously denies" the allegations. Appearing in court under his full name, Kevin Spacey Fowler, pleaded not guilty to four charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.
The allegations relate to three men, now aged in their 30s and 40s, in London and Gloucestershire between 2005 and 2013. The double Oscar winner has been granted unconditional bail and a trial of three to four weeks is set to begin on June 6, 2023, with a preliminary hearing to take place earlier in 2023.
Standing in the dock, Spacey looked composed and smiled as he glanced at the benches of reporters. He spoke to confirm his name and date of birth, as well as enter his pleas, and thank the judge at the end of the 15-minute hearing.
During an initial magistrates' court hearing on June 16, Spacey's lawyer Patrick Gibbs QC said his client "strenuously denies any and all criminality in this case". Mr Gibbs said the actor had travelled to the UK "to establish his innocence" and "proceed with his life".
The court also heard that he has an address in Waterloo but he lives in the US, where he has a family and a dog, and needs to be there for auditions.
Addressing Spacey at today's hearing, the judge warned Spacey that it was his duty to attend the trial and other dates related to the case. “If you fail to attend the trial it will proceed in your absence,” he told the actor.
The charges against Spacey are:
• Two counts of sexual assault on a man, now in his 40s, in March 2005 in London
• Sexual assault on a man, now in his 30s, and causing him to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent, in August 2008 in London
• Sexual assault on a man, now in his 30s, in April 2013 in Gloucestershire
Celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our weekly Showbiz newsletter here .
READ NEXT:
- Michael Owen gives hint if he'll appear on Love Island for 'Meet The Parents' episode
- Storm Huntley shares sweet snap of son Otis surrounded by gifts from Jeremy Vine
- Edinburgh Love Island star Jay Younger says it's 'tough watching Jacques leave the villa'
- Christine McGuinness gave Paddy ultimatum amid 'breaking point' after twins' birth
- Love Island's Jacques O'Neill's future plans as Castleford Tigers make stance clear over return
