Michael Ward, 28, known for his role in Top Boy, is standing trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court for five offences of alleged rape and sexual assault against one woman. The alleged incidents occurred on January 1st and 2nd, 2023, where according to prosecutor Tracy Ayling KC, Ward met the woman at an all-white party at Infinity Lounge nightclub in Gant’s Hill, east London, on January 1st and asked for her Snapchat username. He later invited her into a car parked nearby where consensual kissing and touching initially took place.
Ward subsequently invited the woman to an afterparty in Stratford, which she attended with two friends but described feeling a “weird vibe” at the event, which was mostly attended by men. She left after a short time, but upon exiting, Ward asked where she was going and suggested she walk to a car parked further down the road so they could talk. The court heard that Ward gave her specific instructions to walk behind him and not speak to anyone during the walk to the vehicle.
Once at the car, the prosecution alleges Ward‘s behaviour escalated. The woman consented to kissing in the front seat and initially declined to move to the back. According to Ayling’s account to jurors, Ward “became quite impatient” and told the woman to “stop wasting time.” The prosecution alleges that once in the back seat, Ward sexually assaulted the woman by kissing her breasts without consent. When she told him “I don’t wanna do that,” he is said to have proceeded with further assaults. The woman opened the car door, feeling uncomfortable, but the court heard Ward “quite sternly” instructed her to close it. Ward is then alleged to have orally raped the woman, with prosecutors saying she felt “pressured” throughout.
Following the alleged assaults, Ward sent the woman emoji messages. She continued exchanging friendly messages with him despite experiencing physical pain during the drive home. She ordered an STI kit while driving, marking a box to indicate she had been sexually assaulted. The prosecution argued the woman did not report the incident immediately because she had not fully processed what happened and felt unable to speak out given Ward‘s celebrity status and public profile.
Ward was arrested on January 18th, 2023 and has denied all allegations. In a prepared statement to police, he said: “I deny the allegation of rape. I want to put on record that we had consensual foreplay and consensual sex.” He stated he had “full faith” that proceedings would clear his name. He has been out on bail since August 2023 under conditions prohibiting contact with the alleged victim. Ward is best known for Top Boy but has also appeared in Blue Story, Small Axe, and Eddington. He won the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020 and has received two nominations for Best Supporting Actor.
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