British actor Micheal Ward has been found not guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a woman who alleged he attacked her in the back of a car after they met at a London nightclub.
A jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday acquitted the 28-year-old actor of two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a trial in which prosecutors and the defence presented sharply conflicting accounts of what happened on 2 January 2023.
Ward, best known for his role as Jamie in Netflix’s Top Boy and the film Blue Story, maintained throughout the case that the sexual encounter was consensual.
The actor told jurors. “Everything we did was wholly consensual.”
Giving evidence during the trial, Ward said he believed the pair were enjoying each other’s company after meeting at an east London nightclub before moving to a car, where he said the flirting continued.
He told the court he found the woman very cute when they first met and believed there was mutual attraction. According to Ward, she willingly joined him in the vehicle and responded positively throughout their interaction.
“There was a continuation of the flirting,” he told the jury. “She was reciprocating the energy. She was pulling me close. For me, that was an inviting act and we were both enjoying that moment.”
Ward added that the woman “never mentioned anything about wanting to leave,” describing her afterwards as absolutely fine and saying they had a nice and engaging general conversation.”
The court heard the pair later exchanged text messages, with Ward sending a smiling emoji with a heart, while the woman replied telling him to enjoy the rest of his evening.
However, the complainant gave a very different account during the trial, breaking down in tears as she rejected the suggestion that the encounter had been consensual.
She told the court. “I never would have got in that car with him if I had known what would happen.”
Denying the defence’s account, she said. “Micheal raped me.”
The woman told jurors she “completely shut down” during the alleged attack and said she did not verbally say “no,” but insisted she repeatedly told Ward she needed to leave.
According to her evidence, she asked to leave “on multiple occasions” before later ordering a sexually transmitted infection testing kit on her way home, indicating that she had been sexually assaulted.
The jury also heard that when Ward was arrested on 18 January 2023, he denied the allegation in a prepared police statement.
He told officers. “I deny the allegation of rape. I want to put on record that we had consensual foreplay and consensual sex.”
Following the verdict, Ward’s solicitor, Humzah Ilyas, said the case had significantly disrupted the actor’s personal and professional life.
“It has been three and a half years since the police started investigating this matter, during which time Micheal’s life, as well as his successful career, has been put on hold. This has, inevitably, had a profound impact on him and those closest to him.”
He added that Ward was grateful the legal process had concluded and intended to return to acting. “Micheal is thankful this process has now reached a conclusion. He looks forward to getting back to the doing work he loves and focusing on the future.”
The solicitor also said Ward wanted to recognise victims of sexual violence. “As he starts to rebuild his life, Micheal would like to acknowledge those who have experienced sexual violence and abuse. They deserve to be heard, treated with compassion, and have their allegations taken seriously.”
Ward, who won the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020 and later received further nominations for Small Axe and Empire of Light, also thanked his supporters. “Micheal would like to thank God and his family. He is very appreciative of everyone who stood by him. Their support, prayers and love helped carry him,” the statement said.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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