Sir Elton John makes Kevin Spacey laugh as he takes the stand in sex assault trial
17 July 2023, 11:04 | Updated: 17 July 2023, 23:18
Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish were called as witnesses by the defence in Kevin Spacey’s sexual assault trial at Southwark Crown Court on Monday.
The pair gave evidence via video link from Monaco as part of Spacey’s defence.
The defendant pleaded not guilty in January to three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.
The double-Oscar winning actor, 63, is accused of groping one of his accusers during a charity gala, in an allegation he forcefully decried as false.
Prosecutor Christine Agnew KC asked Sir Elton and his husband Mr Furnish, who gave evidence just before him, about when the actor had attended a fundraising event at their home in Windsor.
Spacey is alleged to have made a man "almost come off the road" after an alleged "painful" crotch grab as he drove the actor to the lavish showbiz party.
Spacey previously told jurors how he stored "the most expensive" Mini Cooper "ever" in Sir Elton's garage.
Sir Elton said the actor attended the event in the early 2000s and stayed the night but said he could not remember him visiting the property after that.
Ms Agnew asked Sir Elton if he had a recollection of Spacey at the event.
Sir Elton said: "Yes, because he arrived in white tie.
"He was on a flight, he came on a private jet and he came straight to the ball."
On whether he came straight from the private jet, he added: "I assume so, yes, I don't think he would be wearing white tie on a commercial flight."
Spacey rocked back in his chair in the dock, laughing at the response.
Ms Agnew added: "Do you remember that at that ball he bought a Mini?"
After Sir Elton confirmed his recollection, she added: "And do you remember that that Mini was kept at your home for quite some time?"
The Rocket Man star added: "That I don't remember but it's possible because it was his car and he was going somewhere else. I have no recollection of it."
Asked if Spacey visited their home again after the ball, Sir Elton said: "At the night that he attended the ball, he stayed over night at our house."
Pressed again on whether he had returned after the event, he added: "I can't remember him coming after that, no."
Sir Elton said he did not remember the arrangements for the Mini being moved from his house.
Read More: Kevin Spacey slams sexual assault allegation as ‘absolute b*****ks’ in fiery court clash
Meanwhile, denying claims that he made a string of sexually explicit comments to a man, Spacey told jurors on Friday: “I don’t accept a single word that comes out of his mouth.
“There are deeply personal reasons why I have never and would never speak to a human being in the way (he) has claimed," Mr Spacey said.
“Deeply personal to me, not something I treat lightly”, he said, and raised his voice to add: “I never said what he said I said."
When prosecutor Christine Agnew KC suggested Spacey had “grabbed him by the crotch”, Spacey shot back: “Absolute b*******s.”
What charges does Kevin Spacey face?
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorised four charges of sexual assault and one charge of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent in May last year.
They related to alleged offences in England between 2005 and 2013 against three men, who are now in their 30s and 40s.The Hollywood actor pleaded not guilty to the charges in July.
He was then charged with seven more offences: three indecent assault charges, as well as one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.
These offences allegedly took place against a fourth man between 2001 and 2005.Spacey pleaded not guilty to these charges in January.
The trial continues.
