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Kevin Spacey has fronted a packed US courtroom to attend a hearing over allegations he sexually assaulted an 18-year-old in a bar in 2016.
The former House Of Cards star appeared calm and did not speak as he stood beside his lawyers for the brief appearance at Nantucket District Court in Massachusetts on Monday, the town where the alleged assault took place.
Spacey entered a not guilty plea before for the hearing, where the charges made against him were read out. He stands accused of one count of indecent assault and battery, relating to the allegation he put his hand down the pants of an 18-year-old man who worked at a Nantucket restaurant after buying him several alcohol drinks.
Spacey was ordered to stay away from the alleged victim. The next hearing is on March 4, although the Hollywood star will not have to attend that one in-person.
The court also heard there is a Snapchat video and several text messages the victim sent to his girlfriend during the incident, which will be included as evidence. Spacey’s lawyer said he believes the messages will be “exculpatory”, in other words will clear Spacey of any wrongdoing.
It’s the only criminal case brought against Spacey, 59 following an avalanche of sexual misconduct allegations made against him in 2017 that saw his character Frank Underwood written out of House Of Cards.