American actor Kevin Spacey is facing claims of sexual abuse dating back 50 years in a new civil case alleging he carried out his first attack in high school.
The 66-year-old is being sued by three men claiming he abused his position as a Hollywood star to prey on young victims.
Today, the High Court heard that the Oscar winner carried out his first alleged attack when he was still in high school years before his career took off.
Mr. Spacey is accused of first groping a male driver in 1976 when he was studying at Chatsworth High School in Los Angeles.
The alleged victim is one of seven men who have come forward as witnesses in a civil claim for damages, which is due to be heard at the High Court later this year.
The 66-year-old has denied all wrongdoing.
In 2023, Mr. Spacey was acquitted at Southwark Crown Court of carrying out a series of predatory sex attacks during his tenure as artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre in London.
But now he faces a new civil case related to some of those accusers who had already filed compensation claims, seeking damages in excess of £30,000 prior to the criminal case.
The High Court heard that the actor ‘exploited his power and influence as a successful celebrity’ to prey on young men ‘attempting to kiss or touch them inappropriately or force them to touch him inappropriately over a number of years’.
Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel KC, representing the three men, argued in a pre-trial review: ‘In a number of cases, there was an element of grooming prior to the assaults occurring and of gifts being given to the young men.
‘The assaults themselves occurred unexpectedly.’
Today, Mr Spacey did not attend the High Court for the case.
The US actor has previously admitted ‘bad behaviour’ and ‘being too handsy’ at times, but he has vehemently denied groping men.
Ahead of a Channel 4 documentary about the allegations, Mr Spacey said in 2024: ‘I take full responsibility for my past behaviour and my actions, but I cannot and will not take responsibility or apologise to anyone who’s made up stuff about me or exaggerated stories about me.
‘I’ve never told someone that if they give me s£xual favours, then I will help them out with their career, never.’
Today, an Old Vic spokeswoman confirmed the theatre had separately reached a settlement with one of the claimants, saying: ‘Ruari Cannon and The Old Vic have reached a mutually agreed out-of-court settlement, the precise terms of which are confidential.
‘This settlement has been agreed without any admission of liability, having regard to the costs and impact on all parties of continuing litigation.’
The case continues.
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