Accusations and Denial
A woman alleging she was raped by Top Boy actor Micheal Ward has denied claims that their encounter was consensual.
Ward faces accusations of raping the woman in a car after meeting her at a nightclub in east London in January 2023.
The 28-year-old actor denies two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault against the woman, maintaining that all sexual activity between them was consensual.
Victim's Testimony
The woman, who remains unnamed for legal reasons, became emotional as she told the jury she "did not understand the situation" she was in and stated that she "never would have got in that car with him" had she been aware of the circumstances.
Jurors were informed that the woman knew Ward from his film and television work and felt flattered when he requested her Snapchat handle.
During cross-examination, Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC, defending Ward, suggested to the woman that "what happened in the back of the car was consensual." The woman responded:
No, Micheal raped me.
She recalled that although she "did not use the word no," she "completely shut down" during the encounter on 2 January 2023.
The woman said she told the Blue Story actor on multiple occasions that she needed to leave.
Aftermath and Witness Account
The court heard that the woman appeared upset when she entered a friend's car to return home following the alleged assault.
The friend, also unnamed for legal reasons, described the woman's "demeanour was off" and that "she kept on crying" when asked about the incident.
The friend recounted:
Because I knew something was wrong with her. I said, 'Are you OK?'
I asked her if he had raped her. I realised how intense that was and asked her, 'Has he assaulted you?'
Additionally, the alleged victim ordered a sexually transmitted infection (STI) kit while on her way home and indicated on the form that she had been sexually assaulted.
Ward's Statement and Career Highlights
Following his arrest on 18 January 2023, Ward provided a prepared statement to the police, stating:
I deny the allegation of rape. I want to put on record that we had consensual foreplay and consensual sex.
Ward was honored with the Bafta Rising Star Award in 2020 and subsequently received two nominations for his roles in the BBC's Small Axe and the 2022 film Empire of Light.
