Kevin Spacey Acquitted on All Charges in London Trial
Jury finds actor not guilty of nine sexual assault counts spanning alleged incidents from 2001 to 2013
Published June 6, 2025
Case Details
Quick Facts
Classification:
Quick facts
Kevin Spacey was acquitted on all nine remaining sexual assault charges by a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London on July 26, 2023. The verdict concluded a trial that began on June 28, 2023, in which the British-American actor faced allegations spanning from 2001 to 2013.
Spacey had pleaded not guilty on July 14, 2023, and maintained his denial of all allegations throughout the proceedings. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had initially charged him on May 26, 2022, with four counts of sexual assault against three complainants. An additional seven charges were authorized on November 16, 2022, bringing the total to 11 charges. Three of these were dismissed before or during trial, leaving nine counts for the jury to consider.
The alleged incidents involved four men and were said to have occurred in London and Gloucestershire during Spacey's time as artistic director of the Old Vic, a prestigious London theatre. The CPS case centered on sexual assaults allegedly committed between 2001 and 2013.
Timeline
Start of the alleged offence period
The alleged incidents mentioned in the indictment are said to have begun from this point.
Spacey becomes artistic director
Kevin Spacey takes over the position of artistic director at the Old Vic Theatre in London, a position he holds until 2015.
End of the alleged offence period
The last alleged incidents mentioned in the indictment are said to have taken place until this point.
First charges brought
The Crown Prosecution Service brings four charges concerning sexual assault against three different complainants.
Charges expanded
Seven additional charges are added, concerning a single complainant from the period 2001-2004.
Trial begins
The criminal case against Kevin Spacey begins at Southwark Crown Court in London.
Acquitted on all counts
After three days of deliberation, the jury acquits Kevin Spacey on all nine remaining charges.
Unlike high-profile trials in the United States, the London proceedings were not televised, and the identities of the accusers were protected to safeguard their privacy. This approach reflects the different legal standards and protections in the English criminal justice system.
Following the jury's not guilty verdicts, Spacey stated that he was "humbled" by the outcome. The acquittal marked a significant moment in a legal saga that has dominated discussion of the actor's career and public reputation since allegations first emerged publicly in 2017.
It is important to note that the 2023 criminal acquittal is separate from civil proceedings. In 2026, Spacey reached financial settlements with three men over allegations spanning 2000 to 2013. However, these civil settlements involved no admission of liability and should not be confused with criminal verdicts.
The case attracted international attention given Spacey's prominence in Hollywood and his past roles in acclaimed productions including the Netflix series *House of Cards* and films such as *American Beauty*. The trial provided a rare public examination of allegations that had previously been discussed largely through media reports and social media commentary.
Sources
https://www.petersandpeters.com/2023/06/30/what-to-know-about-kevin-spaceys-uk-sexual-offenses-trial/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8BIcxTUUwY
https://www.lawcommentary.com/articles/kevin-spacey-settles-sexual-assault-claims-in-london-avoiding-civil-trials
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Spacey_sexual_misconduct_allegations
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