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Michael Ward, the British actor, has denied allegations of raping a woman in a car, asserting in court that their interaction was consensual and that he believed they were “having a great time.” The 28-year-old actor faces charges including two counts of rape and three of sexual assault, stemming from an incident that allegedly took place on January 2, 2023, after the pair met at a nightclub in east London.
At Snaresbrook Crown Court, Ward described their meeting as a flirtatious exchange filled with “passionate” kissing that led to what he called a “developing situation.” Known for his acclaimed roles in the film *Blue Story* and the Netflix series *Top Boy*, Ward insisted that the woman was an “active participant” throughout the encounter. He told the court that everything between them was consensual, emphasizing a mutual attraction and stating, “We engaged in consensual sex, had a great time and she was actively participating in what we were doing all the time.”
The woman involved, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, emotionally testified last week that she was confused about the situation and would not have entered the car had she understood what was going to happen. Although she admitted she “did not use the word no,” she claimed to have “completely shut down” during the encounter and said she repeatedly expressed a desire to leave. Previously, jurors heard that she felt flattered when Ward, an actor known from films and television, asked for her Snapchat contact.
Ward recounted that he first noticed the woman outside the New Year party he hosted in Gants Hill, east London, and found her “very cute.” During their initial conversation, he picked up on signs of interest through her eye contact and demeanor. He invited her to join him in a car, where the flirting continued and Ward described her as “pulling me close,” which he interpreted as an inviting gesture. Ward further stated the woman never indicated any wish to leave and appeared fine afterwards, sharing a friendly conversation between them. The court also learned they exchanged messages later in the evening, with Ward sending a heart-eyed emoji and the woman wishing him a good night. When asked if the woman showed any signs of unwillingness, Ward responded, “No miss, if she did, we would not have done it.”
The trial revealed that, following the alleged incident, the woman appeared upset while getting into a friend’s car. The friend described her emotional state as abnormal and noted she “kept on crying” when questioned about the events. Additionally, the woman ordered a sexual health test kit and indicated on the form that she had been sexually assaulted. Ward’s rising career includes winning the Bafta Rising Star Award in 2020 and receiving nominations for his performances in BBC’s *Small Axe* and the 2022 film *Empire of Light*. The court proceedings are ongoing
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