Kevin Spacey granted bail as he makes 1st appearance in U.K. court on sexual assault charges

London — Kevin Spacey was granted "unconditional bail" by a U.K. court on Thursday morning as he made his first appearance on charges accusing him of sexually assaulting three men between 2005 and 2013. Accompanied by his legal team, the actor was met by a crowd of journalists and photographers as he entered Westminster Magistrates' Court in London for a preliminary hearing. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 14.

Spacey was not asked to enter a formal plea, but his lawyer said the actor "strenuously denies any and all criminality in this case," according to Britain's Telegraph newspaper.

The two-time Academy Award winner is facing four counts in the U.K. of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. The alleged crimes took place in London and Gloucestershire, and the three alleged victims are now in their 30s and 40s.