Spacey takes stand for first time as his lawyer brands sex assault claims 'damned lies'

KEVIN SPACEY today took to the witness stand for the first time to give his defence in his sexual assault trial.

- Tristan Kirk

The 63-year-old double Oscar-winner faces allegations that he sexually assaulted four different men between 2001 and 2013, and has said through his barrister that he has been wrongly accused thanks to “half-truths”, “exaggeration” and “damned lies”.

Giving evidence, Spacey, inset, told jurors about his love for London theatre, saying he agreed to join the Old Vic theatre as artistic director in 2003 when it had fallen into disrepair and efforts were made to revitalise it.

“The Old Vic has a remarkable history”, he said. “John Gielgud made his debut on the Old Vic stage.” He said when the artistic director role came up, he “was crazy enough at some point to throw my hat into the ring as a possible candidate.”