LONDON: Kevin Spacey “strenuously” denies allegations of sex offences, his lawyer said on Thursday as the Oscar-winning actor made his first appearance at a British court to face charges dating back almost 20 years. He is accused of five offences — four counts of sexual assault by touching, and a more serious charge of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.
Inside London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court, he spoke only to confirm his name as Kevin Spacey Fowler and his London address when he appeared in the dock. “Mr Spacey strenuously denies any and all criminality in this case,” defence lawyer Patrick Gibbs said.
If found guilty of sexual assault, he would face a six-month jail sentence or an unlimited fine, while the other offence carries a maximum punishment of life term. Spacey will next appear on July 14. He was granted unconditional bail, with Gibbs saying he needed to be able to leave the UK for work and because his family was in the US.
Inside London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court, he spoke only to confirm his name as Kevin Spacey Fowler and his London address when he appeared in the dock. “Mr Spacey strenuously denies any and all criminality in this case,” defence lawyer Patrick Gibbs said.
If found guilty of sexual assault, he would face a six-month jail sentence or an unlimited fine, while the other offence carries a maximum punishment of life term. Spacey will next appear on July 14. He was granted unconditional bail, with Gibbs saying he needed to be able to leave the UK for work and because his family was in the US.
