17 July 2023 , 17:28
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Sir Elton John has told jurors that Kevin Spacey attended a white tie ball at his home after arriving by private jet.
The Rocketman superstar was called as a witness for the defence in the Hollywood actor’s trial on Monday, along with his husband David Furnish.
Spacey, 63, standing trial under his full name, Kevin Spacey Fowler, was labelled a “sexual bully” when proceedings began last month.
He denies 12 charges concerning four men, including sexual assault and indecent assault, which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013.
Giving evidence via videolink from Monaco, Sir Elton, who gave his name as “Elton Hercules John”, told Southwark Crown Court that two-time Oscar winner Spacey had attended an annual charity ball at his house in Windsor, Berks, in 2001.
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Sir Elton John gave evidence via videolink (Julia Quenzler / SWNS)Sir Elton said the actor attended the party and stayed the night but said he could not remember him visiting the property after that.
One of the complainants alleges that Spacey grabbed his crotch so hard he cried out in a car on the way to one of the annual fundraising events in the early 2000s.
Spacey previously told jurors how he stored “the most expensive” Mini Cooper “ever” in Sir Elton’s garage after buying it at the charity ball.
Asked by prosecutor Christine Agnew KC if he had a recollection of Spacey at the party, Sir Elton said: “Yes, because he arrived in a 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," before the actor chuckled.
Asked if Spacey visited their home again after the ball, Sir Elton said: “The night that he attended the ball, he stayed overnight 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’s husband Mr Furnish said he also remembered Spacey attending the event, adding: “He was an Oscar-winning actor, there was a lot of excitement he was at the ball.”
Spacey is appearing at Southwark Crown Court (Wiktor Szymanowicz/REX/Shutterstock)The Hollywood star, appearing in court wearing a grey suit, light blue shirt and a dark blue tie, was overcome with emotion as jurors were read 10 character references from family and friends from inside the theatre and film industry.
Actor Jack Lemmon’s son, Chris Lemmon, said in his character reference that Spacey was “like another son” to his father, adding: “So became like a brother to me.”
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House and Dead Poet’s Society star Robert Sean Leonard described Spacey as “positive, supportive and respectful” and said he has never seen anyone lead a company better than the American Beauty actor.
Spacey 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 two-time Academy Award winner also previously denied four further charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.
The trial continues.