Oscar-winning actor, Kevin Spacey, 64, was found not guilty of sexual assault charges after 12 hours of deliberation by the jury.

The trial lasted almost four weeks and the jury heard testimony from a number of witnesses, including Spacey.

Elton John, who attended via video link from Monaco, and his husband, David Furnish, also served as defence witnesses.

The American actor was cleared of seven counts of sexual assault, one count of coercing someone into having intercourse without their consent, and one count of coercing someone into having penetrative sex without their consent.

After the verdict was read, he placed his palm on his chest, turned to face the jury, and twice mouthed “thank you” as they exited the room.

The Hollywood icon earned the best supporting actor Oscar for ‘The Usual Suspects’ in 1995 and the best actor Oscar for ‘American Beauty’ in 2000.

Between 2004 to 2015, he served as artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre in London.

Following several allegations of unlawful conduct, Spacey’s career was put on hold in 2017.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) filed accusations against him in May 2022 for the offences allegedly committed against the three males, and in November 2022, a fourth complainant filed further charges.

Addressing journalists on his way out, Spacey said, “I would like to say that I am enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts carefully before they reached their decision,”

“I am humbled by the outcome today. I also want to thank the staff inside this courthouse, the security, and all of those who took care of us every single day.”