Jury sworn in for sex offences trial of Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey arrives at Southwark Crown Court ahead of his trial for alleged sex offences, ITV News Correspondent Lucy Watson reports
A jury has been selected ahead of the trial of Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey for alleged sex offences.
The Hollywood star has previously denied 12 charges against four men, including sexual assault and indecent assault.
The 63-year-old smiled and waved as he walked into Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday.
He arrived in a taxi, wearing a pink tie and a navy suit, and took a moment to say good morning to people assembled outside the court before making his way into the building.
Before the jury panel was selected, Mr Justice Mark Wall told prospective jurors: “I am sure the defendant will be gratified to know that many of you will know his name or have seen his films.”
The actor looked intently at the nine men and three women selected to try his case as they made their way to their seats.
Two reserve jurors were also selected to sit through the opening of the prosecution.
Mr Justice Wall told the jury panel of 14 that the case is one which has “quite obviously” attracted a lot of media attention but that they “must avoid this coverage where you can”.
He said: “A particular danger, especially in a case like this where the defendant has a public profile, is using your computer to research things.”
And he warned the panel to avoid using their computers for “anything to do with this trial”.
Jurors are set to hear about allegations against Spacey from between 2001 and 2013, with the full charge sheet read in open court.
The actor pleaded not guilty in January to three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.
The two-time Academy Award winner also previously denied four further charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.
Spacey has an address in Waterloo, south London, but also lives in the US, where he has family and a dog.
In an initial court hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June, Spacey’s lawyer, Patrick Gibbs QC, said his client “strenuously denies any and all criminality in this case”.
Mr Gibbs said the defendant returned to the UK “to establish his innocence” and “proceed with his life”.
The actor is known for starring in House Of Cards, American Beauty and The Usual Suspects, and was the artistic director at The Old Vic theatre in London between 2004 and 2015.
Spacey is on unconditional bail and prosecutor Christine Agnew KC is due to open the case on Friday.
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