Kevin Spacey: Actor came out to 'disguise' behaviour, jury told

Actor Kevin Spacey arrives at Southwark Crown Court, London for the fifth day of his trial

An alleged victim of sexual assault by Kevin Spacey has accused the actor of coming out as gay to "disguise" his behaviour, a court has heard.

The man told Southwark Crown Court he believed Mr Spacey's decision to come out showed he was "somebody not taking ownership" of his alleged behaviour.

He rejected suggestions from Mr Spacey's lawyer that some things he had told police were "completely untrue".

The US actor denies 12 sex offences against four men between 2001 and 2013.

The complainant, who was cross examined for more than two hours on Thursday by defence barrister Patrick Gibbs KC, said the alleged incident dated back to 2005.

He spoke from behind a screen, as Mr Spacey listened from the glass-walled dock.

The alleged victim said he felt "belittled" and "worthless" after the incident in a theatre - telling a jury the alleged assault felt like it lasted an "eternity".

"The way he treated me - I felt subhuman. I felt completely powerless," he added.

On Wednesday, jurors heard the alleged victim's police interview, in which he said Mr Spacey "smelt of booze" before grabbing him "like a cobra".

He said Mr Spacey had directed a "machine gun" of "vile comments" at him.

"It was horrific. I've never had anyone speak to me in that way," he said during Thursday's cross examination.

"He wasn't screaming at me, but it was like a torrent.

He added he was then physically attacked by the actor, who he said grabbed his penis.

"I didn't scream. I didn't shout. I was in such shock," he said.

Asked how this could have happened at a busy event where there were lots of people, he responded: "I think it's the phrase 'hiding in plain sight'."

The complainant said he had only told one friend about what had happened.

When questioned on this he said that "it was a completely different climate, way before MeToo". He said he would have been seen as a "troublemaker".

Mr Spacey, 63, has been described by the prosecution as a "sexual bully".

He has pleaded not guilty all the charges he faces. These include seven counts of sexual assault and three counts of indecent assault.

The trial continues.