A woman who alleges she was raped by Top Boy actor Micheal Ward broke down in court as she refuted claims that their encounter was consensual. The Bafta-winning actor is standing trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, accused of raping the woman after meeting her at a nightclub in east London.
Charges and Allegations
Ward, 28, who also starred in Blue Story, denies two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault against the woman on January 2, 2023. The court heard that after an afterparty in Stratford, east London, Ward asked the woman to go to a car to talk.
Cross-Examination
Under cross-examination, Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC, defending Ward, told the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons: “What happened in the back seat of the car was consensual.” The woman replied: “No, Micheal raped me.” She claimed Ward “forced me to do it.”
The woman became emotional as she recalled that she “did not use the word no” and “completely shut down” during the incident. She did not know what to say to her friends and felt embarrassed. Earlier, she stated: “I have never denied kissing Micheal. I am just saying that I felt pressured.”
The woman said she felt that if she complied with his wishes, she would be allowed to leave, telling the court: “I did not feel I had a choice.” The jury heard that at one point they were kissing, and she squeezed through the gap between the seats to join him in the back. During her evidence, she said she “did not understand the situation” and would never have entered the car if she had known. She also stated she told Ward she needed to leave “on multiple occasions.”
Defense Argument
Later, Ms Bennett-Jenkins told the woman: “The reality is that this was a completely consensual event with somebody you found attractive, charming and was relatively famous.” The woman replied: “No, it had never been consensual.”
Witness Testimony
The woman was upset when she got into her friend’s car after the alleged assault to go home, the court heard. The friend, also unnamed, told the court: “Her demeanour was off. She was shaking and I could see that she wasn’t herself.” Despite repeated questioning, the alleged victim only said: “Can we just go home.” The friend added: “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?’ She kept on crying.” The court also heard that she ordered an STI kit while driving back and ticked a box indicating she had been sexually assaulted.
Background of the Accused
Ward, of Royal Crest Avenue, Silvertown, London, was awarded the Bafta rising star honour in 2020 and nominated for best supporting actor Bafta for his role in BBC’s Small Axe in 2021 and the 2022 film Empire Of Light. The Jamaican-born actor played in the Soccer Aid match at Stamford Bridge in 2024 and gave a reading at the Christmas Eve carol service hosted by the Princess of Wales in 2023. He also appeared in the American film Eddington alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, released last August.
Arrest and Statement
Ward was arrested on January 18, 2023, and told police in a prepared statement: “I deny the allegation of rape. I want to put on record that we had consensual foreplay and consensual sex.” The trial continues.
