Kevin Spacey trial: Oscar-winning actor described as ‘slippery, snaky’ groomer

Actor Kevin Spacey was described as a ‘slippery, snaky’ predator who allegedly sexually assaulted a man on the way to Elton John’s famous White Tie and Tiara Ball, a court heard.

A man who claims that Kevin Spacey sexually assaulted him said the Hollywood actor was an aggressive “predator” uncomfortable with his sexuality, a London court was told on Monday.

The alleged victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, claims that the Oscar-winning star began sexually assaulting him on the way to Elton John’s famous party, The White Tie and Tiara Ball.

But despite him making clear to Spacey that his advances were unwanted, the actor persisted, a jury at Southwark Crown Court in south London heard.

Spacey, 63, has pleaded not guilty to 12 sexual offences, including indecent assault, against four men between 2001 and 2013.

The alleged victim described Spacey, the former artistic director of London’s Old Vic theatre, as a “slippery, snaky, difficult person”.

Good-looking young men were warned to be on their guard because it was “well known that he was up to no good”, he said, likening the actor to his serial killer character in the film “Se7en”.

“He’s a bit like that, a bit creepy,” he said.

The prosecution has described Spacey, who won Oscars for “The Usual Suspects” and “American Beauty”, as a “sexual bully”, whose preferred method of assault was grabbing other men in the crotch.

Kevin Spacey arrives at Southwark Crown Court. Picture: Getty Images

His first alleged victim recounted in a videotaped police interview played to the jury that the actor grabbed him on several occasions, and was told to stop.

He told officers that Spacey once grabbed him painfully in a car. He pushed back and told the star: “Don’t do that again or I will knock you out.”

The actor allegedly replied: “That’s such a turn-on to me, you’re such a man.”

The witness said Spacey’s unwanted sexual overtures made him uncomfortable, ashamed and disgusted, so much so that he could not watch any drama with the actor in it.

“I can’t stand watching the man. It makes me feel sick,” he told police, describing Spacey as a “predator” who was “aggressive”.

“He was obviously very messed up with his sexuality,” he added. Under cross-examination by Spacey’s lawyer Patrick Gibbs, the alleged victim denied “100, one million per cent” that he had any feelings for the actor, or that what happened led him to question his own sexuality.

He reported the claims to the police after publicity about other allegations against Spacey, he said.

His only motivation was “to tell the truth”, he added.

DISTURBING CLAIMS IN KEVIN SPACEY TRIAL

Oscar-winning Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey was described in a London court as a “sexual bully” who took what he wanted, even if an alleged victim was sleeping or “didn’t bat for that team”.

In the short, 90-minute opening salvo of the trial, prosecutors described in shocking detail allegations from four men who accuse the 63-year-old star of sexual assault dating back two decades.

Spacey has pleaded not guilty 12 charges relating to four complaints that include counts of indecent assault, seven counts of sexual assault, and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

The most serious charge of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

A smiling Kevin Spacey arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London. Picture: AFP

One of the “starstruck” victims alleges Spacey offered mentorship while he was auditioning for a role at the Old Vic theatre before being invited to drinks at the star’s apartment.

His last clear memory was falling asleep or passing out before allegedly waking up to find Spacey “sucking his penis”.

“His preferred method of assault is, it appears, to grab aggressively other men in the crotch. On one occasion things went further than that,” lawyer Christine Agnew told a jury at Southwark Crown Court.

Agnew said Spacey was both “an extremely famous actor”, as well as “a man who it would seem delights in making others feel powerless and uncomfortable, a sexual bully”.

The two-time Academy Award winner for “American Beauty” and “The Usual Suspects” listened intently and took notes as prosecutors outlined the allegations from four men, said to have taken place between 2001 to 2013 during a period Spacey was artistic director at London’s Old Vic Theatre. He received an honorary knighthood for his services to theatre, arts education and international culture in 2016.

The Hollywood star has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges from four complaints, with the most serious carrying a life sentence. Picture: Getty Images

One victim alleges Spacey “grabbed him so hard” in a car that he nearly drove off the road.

The victim said he reprimanded Spacey but that “getting angry simply turned him on”.

Another claimed Spacey grabbed his penis with “such force it was painful”.

“Have we f*****? Do you have a big c***? Is it true what they say about black men, do you like it outside?” Spacey is alleged to have said.

The fourth said Spacey invited him back to his house before allegedly attempting to kiss his neck and grab his crotch.

“Sorry man I don’t bat for that team,” the man said before leaving in “a panicky state”.

All four men were unknown to one another when they made similar allegations,” Agnew said.

“Have they decided to manufacture allegations against the defendant in order to benefit financially?” Agnew asked, telling the jury that would be Spacey’s defence.

Spacey’s lawyer Patrick Gibbs said his client had come back to the UK from the US to recount “what actually happened”,.

“Mr Spacey was rich and influential. What did they want from his wealth and from his influence and what do they still want, do you think?” he asked the jury.

“You will soon hear, I suggest, some truths. You will soon hear some half-truths. You will also hear, I suggest … some deliberate exaggerations and you will hear many damned lies.”

The case will continue on Monday, when we will hear evidence from the first victim.

The trial is expected to last four weeks, with the first alleged victim to give evidence after the weekend.

– with AFP

Originally published as Kevin Spacey trial: Oscar-winning actor described as ‘slippery, snaky’ groomer