Kevin Spacey to face sexual assault civil trials in 2026
What's the story
Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey is scheduled to appear in court in 2026 for civil claims of sexual assault made by three men. The allegations stem from incidents that allegedly took place between 2000 and 2013. A judge has proposed a provisional trial date of October 12, 2026, during a hearing on Wednesday. The claims may be heard either in one trial or three consecutive trials.
Legal proceedings
Spacey denies allegations; cleared of criminal charges earlier
Spacey has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. He has formally denied two claims and has yet to file a defense in the third. In 2023, he was cleared of nine sexual offense charges at a criminal trial. Two of the men who accused him during that trial have also filed civil cases at the High Court. As per the BBC, one man, identified as LNP, claims Spacey "deliberately assaulted" him around 12 times between 2000 and 2005.
Second accusation
Another accuser claims psychiatric damage from Spacey's assault
Another accuser, referred to as GHI, alleges that he met Spacey through a workshop at London's Old Vic theater. He claims to have "suffered psychiatric damage and financial loss" due to an assault in 2008. The third accuser, Ruari Cannon, has waived his right to anonymity. He was in the play Sweet Bird of Youth at the Old Vic in 2013 and alleges that Spacey groped him at a party after the show's press night.
Admission
Spacey previously admitted to 'bad behavior'
Spacey has previously admitted to "bad behavior" and "being too handsy" at times, but has denied groping anyone. His lawyer suggested that the three cases should be heard in a single trial to avoid Spacey giving evidence multiple times. At his 2023 criminal trial, he was acquitted of seven counts of sexual assault, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity non-consensually.