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British actor Micheal Ward has been found not guilty of rape following allegations made by a woman who accused him of assaulting her in the back of a vehicle. The 28-year-old actor faced two counts of rape and three charges of sexual assault but was acquitted on all charges by a jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
The incident in question occurred on 2 January 2023, after Ward met the woman, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, at a nightclub in east London. Ward, recognized for his roles in the film Blue Story and the Netflix series Top Boy, maintained that the interaction was entirely consensual. He told the court, “Everything we did was wholly consensual,” and described the encounter as a positive experience, saying he believed they were “having a great time.”
Ward recalled perceiving mutual interest between them after meeting the woman, referring to her as “very cute” and explaining that their interaction continued with flirtation in a car. He interpreted her actions, such as pulling him close, as inviting, adding that she “never mentioned anything about wanting to leave.” He described their conversation as “nice and engaging” and noted that subsequent communications included exchanging friendly messages and emojis. In stark contrast, the woman gave a different testimony in court, expressing that she “completely shut down” during the encounter and asserted, “Micheal raped me.” She also stated she attempted to leave multiple times and later sought an STI check, indicating she had been sexually assaulted.
Ward issued a formal denial following his arrest on 18 January 2023, stating in a prepared police statement that he denied the rape allegation and insisted that the sexual activity was consensual. Throughout the lengthy investigation, Ward’s career was paused, but he has now been cleared of all accusations. Humphzah Ilyas, Ward’s solicitor, commented on the impact the case had on the actor, noting that the investigation spanned over three years and affected both Ward’s personal and professional life profoundly.
Outside the court, Ilyas shared Ward’s gratitude at the conclusion of the legal process, emphasizing his eagerness to return to his work and move forward. Ward also extended a message of compassion towards survivors of sexual violence, acknowledging their need to be heard and supported. Additionally, he expressed thanks to his family, faith, and supporters, highlighting how their encouragement provided strength throughout the ordeal. Recognized for his talent with a Bafta Rising Star Award in 2020, Ward has continued to build his profile with notable performances in projects such as BBC’s Small Axe and the film Empire of Light
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