Actor Micheal Ward Acquitted of Rape Charges

Actor Micheal Ward was found not guilty of rape and sexual assault charges by a London jury on Friday. The acquittal concludes a 10-day trial where the 28-year-old actor faced two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

Ward, recognized for his performances in the Netflix series 'Top Boy' and the film 'Eddington,' had been accused of attacking a woman in January 2023 following a meeting at a London nightclub. He was arrested later that month.

Throughout the trial, Ward maintained his innocence, telling the jury that the sexual encounters were entirely consensual. He testified that he believed the woman was reciprocating his advances and enjoying the interactions.

The accuser, however, testified that she did not consent and that Ward had ignored her requests to leave. She also stated she felt sexually assaulted and indicated this when ordering an STI kit afterward.

Ward's acting career includes prominent roles in 'Top Boy,' Steve McQueen's 'Lovers Rock,' and 'Empire of Light.' He received the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020.