The Hollywood star, who turned 64 today, had been accused of sexually assaulting four men in the period between 2001 and 2013.

After 12 hours and 26 minutes, the jury panel acquitted Spacey of seven counts of sexual assault, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

The House of Cards actor denied all charges – saying the allegations against him were “madness” and a “stab in the back”.

Over the course of the trial at the London court, each of Spacey’s four accusers gave evidence, variously describing him as a “vile sexual predator”, “slippery” and “atrocious, despicable, disgusting”.

Jurors were told of alleged “aggressive” crotch grabs against three men, while a fourth complainant accused the defendant of having drugged him and performing a sex act on him while he was asleep at his flat.

Under questioning from Spacey’s lawyer, Patrick Gibbs KC, the men all denied either seeking financial gain, attempting to further their careers or giving false accounts to the jury.

Spacey told jurors he “did not have a power wand that I waved in front of people’s faces whenever I wanted someone to go to bed with me”.

The jury also heard from witnesses for the defence, including Elton John and David Furnish.

The couple told the court that Spacey had attended the annual charity ball at their home after arriving by private jet. He then bought a Mini Cooper at the event and stayed the night.

The American Beauty actor 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.

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

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