London court: Actor Micheal Ward denies rape, says encounter was consensual

Actor Micheal Ward denies rape allegation, says encounter was consensual

What happened, where, who said it, when and main outcome: Actor Micheal Ward has denied raping a woman in the back of a car in east London on 2 January 2023, telling jurors at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday that the encounter was consensual and that he believed they were “having a great time.” The case continues with Ward denying two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

Ward, 28, known for Blue Story and the Netflix series Top Boy, told the court the meeting followed a party he hosted in Gants Hill and began with a “quite flirty” conversation and “passionate” kisses that developed into consensual sex.

The alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, previously told the jury she “did not understand the situation” and said she would not have entered the car had she known what would happen. She said she did not use the word no but “completely shut down” and told Ward on multiple occasions that she needed to leave.

Ward told his lawyer, Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC, that the woman was an “active participant” throughout and that he perceived mutual attraction from her eye contact, speech and physical reciprocation during the encounter.

The court heard accounts describing the chronology: they met outside the venue, exchanged flirtatious remarks, went to a car where the sexual contact continued, and later had a friendly conversation before exchanging messages. Ward said the woman later appeared “absolutely fine” and sent him a smiling emoji with a heart.

Conversely, evidence heard last week included testimony from a friend who drove the woman home and said her demeanour was “off” and she kept crying. The alleged victim also ordered an STI kit while returning home and indicated on it that she had been sexually assaulted.

Ward is a Bafta Rising Star Award winner (2020) and has appeared in Small Axe and Empire of Light. The trial remains ongoing at Snaresbrook Crown Court.