Kevin Spacey ‘leaves court without stain on his character’ after being found not guilty in sexual assault trial -Rachael O'Connor-Entertainment – Metro

Kevin Spacey may be ‘looking to pick up his career where it left off’ after being found not guilty of sexual assault (Picture: AP/Shutterstock)

Kevin Spacey has been found not guilty of sexual assault after a trial in London, and it has been predicted he will now make moves to reignite his film career.

The Hollywood actor, 64, had denied charges including sexual assault and indecent assault, which were alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013.

Spacey was found not guilty after the trial at Southwark Crown Court, growing tearful as the verdict was read out.

A lawyer has now declared Spacey’s not guilty verdict means he will be able to walk away from the trial ‘like a new born lamb, with no stain on his character whatsoever.’

Lawyer Mark Stephens told Sky News: ‘I assume he will be looking to pick up his career now where he left off.’

So what has Spacey’s career been like so far, and what had he been accused of?

When did Kevin Spacey begin acting?

Kevin Spacey began acting in high school and went on to carve a name for himself in theatre (Picture: Getty Images)

Kevin Spacey first began acting as a teenager growing up in California, where he played Georg von Trapp in the school production of The Sound of Music.

He went on to try his hand at stand-up comedy before attending drama lessons at the Juilliard School in New York City, going on to perform in theatre and winning a Tony award.

Spacey also broke into film and TV acting in this time, with his first film appearance in Heartburn alongside Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson.

What was Kevin Spacey’s first big film role?

Spacey began clinching major roles and won an Academy Award for best supporting actor in The Usual Suspects (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Spacey had a role in comedy See No Evil, Hear No Evil alongside Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor, and went on to claim bigger and bigger roles in Hollywood.

However his first major role was in 1995’s The Usual Suspects, which won him an Oscar for best supporting actor.

In the same year, he starred in thriller Seven as the twisted serial killer which cemented him as a major actor.

What awards has Kevin Spacey won?

Spacey has won 55 awards throughout his career, including Oscars, Tonys and Baftas (Picture: WireImage)

Kevin Spacey has won a multitude of awards throughout his career, including two Academy Awards: in 1996 for The Usual Suspects as best supporting actor, and in 2000 in American Beauty for best actor.

He has 55 awards to his name, including a Tony, Bafta, Critics’ Choice, Golden Globes, four Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Laurence Olivier awards.

What was Kevin Spacey accused of in the UK?

Spacey faced 12 charges of historical sexual offences (Picture: Reuters)

Spacey was accused of three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

He had also been accused of four further charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

He denied all the charges.

What did Kevin Spacey say following the not guilty verdict?

Spacey was found not guilty of sexual assault on Wednesday following the highly-publicised trial.

As the not guilty verdict was read out, Spacey became tearful as the jury cleared him and an usher handed him a tissue. The House of Cards actor placed his hand on his chest and looked at the jury panel while mouthing ‘thank you’ twice as they exited the room.

Speaking outside the court, a visibly emotional Spacey told reporters: ‘I imagine that many of you can understand that there’s a lot for me to process after what has just happened today.

‘But I would like to say that I am enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts carefully before they reach the decision and I am humbled by the outcome today.’

He continued: ‘I also want to thank the staff inside this courthouse, the security and all those who took care of us every single day. My legal team… for being here every day and that’s all I have to say for the moment. Thank you very much.’

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