Actor Kevin Spacey “strenuously denies” allegations that he sexually assaulted three men, a court has been told.
The Hollywood star, 62, was not asked to enter pleas to four counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Deputy District Judge Tan Ikram granted him unconditional bail at the end of the 28-minute hearing ahead of his next appearance at Southwark Crown Court on 14 July.
Patrick Gibbs QC, defending, said: “Mr Spacey strenuously denies any and all criminality in this case.”
Spacey was surrounded by members of his legal team and two police officers as he climbed out of a silver Mercedes before being ushered inside the court in London amid a media scrum on Thursday morning.
He smiled as he entered the building but made no comment to the crowd of journalists gathered outside.
The two-time Oscar winner stood in the dock wearing a pale blue suit, dark spotted tie and white shirt as he confirmed his name as Kevin Spacey Fowler, his London address at a flat in Waterloo, and date of birth.
The allegations relate to three men, now in their 30s and 40s, in London and Gloucestershire between 2005 and 2013, while Spacey was artistic director of The Old Vic theatre in London.
The charges, which were read out by the court’s legal adviser, include two counts of sexual assault on a man, now in his 40s, in London in March 2005; sexual assault on a man, now in his 30s, and causing him to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent, in London in August 2008; and sexual assault on a man, now in his 30s, in Gloucestershire in April 2013.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorised charges against him last month, but the American could only be formally charged once he had travelled to the UK earlier this week.
Mr Ikram withdrew an arrest warrant issued weeks ago after the court heard Spacey arrived in London on Monday to receive a postal requisition.
Spacey, who is known for starring roles in American Beauty, The Usual Suspects and House Of Cards, had previously said he would travel to the UK to face the charges, which he is expected to deny.
In a statement released to Good Morning America after the CPS announcement, he said: “While I am disappointed with their decision to move forward, I will voluntarily appear in the UK as soon as can be arranged and defend myself against these charges, which I am confident will prove my innocence.”
Additional reporting by Press Association
