Kevin Spacey has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting four men between 2001 and 2013 following a trial in London.
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The 64-year-old adamantly denied the nine charges against him and had tears in his eyes as the jury shared its verdict.
These included 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 without consent.
Each of Spacey’s accusers gave evidence during the trial at Southwark Crown Court, with the Hollywood actor described as a “vile sexual predator” and “atrocious, despicable, disgusting”.
When questioned by Spacey’s lawyer, Patrick Gibbs KC, each denied seeking financial gain, attempting to further their careers, or giving false accounts to the jury.
All four men have been given life-long anonymity under the law.
The prosecution had claimed that Spacey “aggressively” grabbed three men by the crotch and performed a sex act on another man while he was asleep.
Jurors deliberated for 12 hours and 26 minutes before reaching their verdict.
After it was announced, a statement from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges.”
Before leaving to speak with the press, Spacey met with five members of the jury in the foyer of the court where he shook their hands and chatted for a few minutes.
He told journalists he is “humbled by the outcome”.
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