Top Boy actor Michael Ward has been cleared of raping and sexually assaulting a woman who alleged he attacked her in the back of a car. The 28-year-old, known for roles in the crime drama and Steve McQueen's Small Axe, was acquitted of two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault following a 10-day trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
Details of the Allegations
The charges stemmed from an encounter with a woman Ward met at a New Year's Day party in Ilford, east London, in 2023. The pair then travelled separately to an after-party in Stratford. Prosecutors alleged that Ward sexually assaulted and raped the woman in the back of a Mercedes after inviting her into the vehicle. The complainant, who cannot be named, told the court she repeatedly indicated she wanted to leave and felt intimidated by Ward's fame, delaying her report to police because she initially blamed herself.
Ward's Defence
Ward denied the allegations throughout the trial, telling jurors the pair had been “friendly and flirty” and that she was “a willing participant in everything that was going on.” He stated, “It was what we wanted. There was mutual interest.” His defence argued that forensic evidence undermined the prosecution's account: examinations of the complainant's clothing found no blood, despite her recollection of blood on her leggings and underwear.
Evidence and Witnesses
The court heard from actress Jasmine Jobson, Ward's Top Boy co-star, who described him as “my brother” and said she was “in total shock” when she learned of the allegations. Jobson told jurors she had always known Ward to be “a beautiful soul” and “a kind-hearted man,” adding that the charges had halted his acting career for over three years. Ward was arrested later that month and denied rape in a prepared statement, asserting consensual activity.
Trial Interruption and Verdict
The trial was briefly interrupted when social media influencer Murad Merali, known for celebrity commentary, was removed from court for posting videos discussing the complainant's cross-examination and expressing views about her credibility. Judge Dean ordered Merali to take down the videos and leave the courthouse, stating she was “absolutely determined to make sure that nothing disrupts this trial.” The attorney general was alerted to consider contempt of court. The public gallery was cleared for parts of the trial while inquiries ensured jurors had not seen the online material. Ward cried as the jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts on all five charges after a day of deliberations.
Background
Ward rose to prominence in the 2019 film Blue Story before winning the Bafta rising star award in 2020. He has also appeared in Empire of Light.
