Key facts
- British actor Micheal Ward was acquitted of rape and sexual assault charges.
- The jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court returned unanimous not guilty verdicts on all five charges.
- Ward, 28, denied two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault.
- He testified that the encounter with the woman after a New Year's party in January 2023 was consensual.
- Ward is known for his roles in "Top Boy," "Blue Story," and "Empire of Light."
- He won the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020.
British actor Micheal Ward, known for his roles in "Top Boy" and "Empire of Light," was acquitted on Friday by a London jury of rape and sexual assault charges. The 28-year-old actor had denied all allegations stemming from an encounter with a woman after a New Year's party in January 2023.
Ward testified that the sexual encounter was consensual. The prosecution alleged he sexually assaulted the woman in the back of a Mercedes. Jurors at Snaresbrook Crown Court deliberated for five hours and 25 minutes before returning unanimous not guilty verdicts on all five charges: two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault.
Ward, who also appeared in films like "Blue Story" and "The Book of Clarence," won the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020. His defense lawyer stated that Ward had put his life on hold for over three years and was looking forward to returning to his acting career.