Actor Micheal Ward has been cleared of all rape and sexual assault charges by a jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London.
The 28-year-old, known for his role as Jamie in Top Boy, had faced five charges, including two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault. He denied all allegations.
Jurors unanimously found Ward not guilty on all counts after deliberating for more than five hours.
The charges related to an alleged incident in January 2023 involving a woman he met outside a New Year’s party in east London. During the two-week trial, Ward maintained the encounter was consensual.
He became emotional as the verdicts were delivered, while family and supporters in court reacted with relief.
Speaking after the case, Ward’s solicitor, Humzah Ilyas, said the actor was “enormously grateful” to the jury for carefully considering the evidence. He added that the three-and-a-half-year investigation had significantly impacted Ward’s personal life and career.
Ward now plans to return to his acting work, his lawyer said, adding that the actor also expressed support for victims of sexual violence, stating they should be treated with compassion and taken seriously.
During the trial, social media influencer Murad Merali was removed from the courtroom after posting about proceedings online, in breach of court rules.
Ward, who was born in Jamaica and raised in East London, won the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020 and has appeared in films including Blue Story and Empire of Light.
