Michael Ward Cleared of Sexual Offense Charges
The Top Boy actor Michael Ward has been acquitted of rape and sexual assault allegations made by a woman who claimed he attacked her in the back of a car.
Ward, aged 28, known for his roles in the crime drama Top Boy and Steve McQueen’s Small Axe, was found not guilty 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 Alleged Incident
The charges stemmed from an incident involving a woman Ward met at a New Year’s Day party in Ilford, east London, in 2023. After the party, both individuals traveled separately to an after-party in Stratford.
Prosecutors alleged that Ward invited the woman into the back of a Mercedes and sexually assaulted and raped her. The complainant, whose identity is protected, told the court she repeatedly indicated a desire to leave and felt intimidated by Ward’s celebrity status, which contributed to a delay in reporting the incident to the police as she initially blamed herself.
During her testimony, the woman stated she experienced pain following the alleged assault and believed there was blood on her clothing.
Ward’s Defense and Trial Proceedings
Ward consistently denied the allegations throughout the trial, describing the interaction as mutually consensual. He told jurors the pair had been
“friendly and flirty”and insisted the woman was
“a willing participant in everything that was going on”. He added,
“It was what we wanted. There was mutual interest.”
The defense challenged the prosecution’s narrative by citing forensic evidence. Examinations of the complainant’s clothing revealed no traces of blood, contradicting her recollection of blood on her leggings and underwear.
Ward was arrested later in January 2023 and, in a prepared police statement, denied rape, affirming that the sexual activity was consensual.
Support from Co-star Jasmine Jobson
Testimony was also heard from Jasmine Jobson, Ward’s co-star in Top Boy, who described him as
“my brother”and expressed that she was
“in total shock”upon learning of the allegations.
Jobson characterized Ward as
“a beautiful soul”and
“a kind-hearted man”, stating she had never felt uncomfortable around him. She noted that the charges effectively paused his acting career for over three years while the case was ongoing.
Verdict and Courtroom Incident
Ward became emotional as the jury delivered unanimous not guilty verdicts on all five charges after a day of deliberation.
The trial experienced a brief interruption when Murad Merali, a social media influencer with over half a million followers, was removed from the court. Merali had posted videos online commenting on the complainant’s cross-examination and questioning her credibility during the ongoing proceedings. He had also filmed within the Snaresbrook Crown Court grounds and approached Ward’s family members outside the building.
Judge Dean ordered Merali to remove the videos and exit the courthouse, emphasizing her determination
“to make sure that nothing disrupts this trial.”The Attorney General was notified to consider whether Merali’s posts constituted contempt of court.
Additionally, the judge cleared the public gallery during parts of the trial while investigations ensured jurors had not viewed the online material.
Ward’s Career Background
Michael Ward rose to prominence with the 2019 film Blue Story and won the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020. He has also appeared in the film Empire of Light.
