A woman who alleges she was raped by "Top Boy" actor Michael Ward has denied suggestions that their encounter was consensual. Ward, 28, faces two charges of rape and three counts of sexual assault related to an incident in January 2023.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, testified that she "did not understand the situation" she was in and would not have entered a car with Ward had she known what would occur. She told the jury that while she did not explicitly say "no," she "completely shut down" during the alleged assault on January 2, 2023. She also stated that she repeatedly told the actor she needed to leave.
During the trial, the defense suggested that the events in the car were consensual. The accuser responded directly to this, stating, "No, Michael raped me."
Jurors were previously informed that the woman was aware of Ward's acting career and felt flattered when he requested her Snapchat contact information. After the alleged incident, the woman appeared visibly upset when she entered a friend's car. This friend testified that the woman's "demeanor was off" and that she "kept on crying." When asked about the encounter, the friend recounted asking if Ward had assaulted or raped her.
Further details emerged that the woman ordered an STI kit on her way home and indicated she had been sexually assaulted when filling out a form. Ward, who was awarded the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020 and has been nominated for roles in the BBC's "Small Axe" and the film "Empire of Light," has denied the allegations. In a statement to police following his arrest on January 18, 2023, Ward stated, "I deny the allegation of rape. I want to put on record that we had consensual foreplay and consensual sex."