Kevin Spacey ‘stayed over after attack’: Elton John

Sir Elton John has told a court Kevin Spacey stayed overnight at his home after the actor allegedly assaulted a man while travelling to a party.

Kevin Spacey (right) outside Southwark Crown Court, London. Picture: PA Images via Getty Images

Sir Elton John has told a court that Kevin Spacey stayed overnight at his home after the actor allegedly grabbed a man’s genitals while travelling to a party in the early 2000s.

The singer, who gave his name as “Elton Hercules John”, and his husband, David Furnish, gave evidence at Southwark crown court via videolink from Monaco.

Spacey, 63, is accused of a string of sexual offences against four alleged male victims in London and Oxfordshire between 2001 and 2013, which he denies.

At the start of his 20-minute evidence session, John, 76, was asked if he could hear the courtroom clearly. He replied: “Not really,” prompting the barristers to move closer to their microphones.

Spacey was a “surprise” guest at the couple’s White Tie and Tiara Ball held at their home in Old Windsor, Berkshire. The American Beauty star went to the fundraiser once, according to documents; however, the jury has been told the date of Spacey’s attendance is disputed by both parties.

Spacey has denied claims that he grabbed a driver’s genitals “so hard that he shouted” and threatened to punch him as they travelled to the ball.

Sir Elton Johngave evidence at Kevin Spacey’s trial. Picture: AFP.

Christine Agnew KC, for the prosecution, asked the Grammy-winning singer if he recalled Spacey coming to the event. John said: “Yes, he arrived in white tie. He [flew] in on a private jet and came straight to the ball.” Agnew asked: “By private jet?” Elton replied: “I don’t think he was wearing white tie on a commercial flight.”

Agnew said: “One never knows.”

The singer said Spacey stayed overnight at his and Furnish’s home. He could not remember the actor visiting again.

Furnish described the complainant as “charming, very friendly, happy, affable, easy-going person”.

Furnish said: “He always had a cheeky smile. He was an East End London man you could always engage in friendly banter with. He always struck me as the kind of person who was very relaxed and comfortable.”

Patrick Gibbs KC, Spacey’s lawyer, showed John a photo of him leaving a performance of Billy Elliot the Musical and asked several questions about the complainant.

John said that he “wouldn’t remember” the man, adding: “My eyes weren’t even on him so I wouldn’t remember him.”

Gibbs asked John if it was common for his path to be cleared when making his way to his car if he were attending an event. John agreed, and told the court: “My eyes are directly on the car door. When I come out of the theatre anyone on my periphery I wouldn’t notice. [It] could be the Queen and I wouldn’t notice.”

The jury also heard ten character references from Spacey’s friends, relatives and creative collaborators who praised his “passion” and “commitment” towards others.

Spacey wept in the dock when Chris Lemmon, the son of the acclaimed Hollywood actor Jack Lemmon, said: “He became like a brother to me.”

Robert Sean Leonard, an American actor who appeared in the 1989 film Dead Poet’s Society, told the court: “He [Spacey] is more than a successful actor, he is a movie star; but unlike every other movie star I’ve worked with, stardom was never his goal; he loves and respects the work and he loves and respects the people he works with.”

The jury was told of Spacey’s charitable work, which included spending time visiting elderly actors at retirement homes. Leonard added: “He’s been doing it for many years and doesn’t advertise these passions. He just does it.”

The defence concluded its case yesterday. Spacey faces seven charges of sexual assault, four of indecent assault, one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and one of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity. He denies all the charges.

The trial continues.

The Times