BAFTA-winning actor Micheal Ward, best known for his leading role in Top Boy, has been cleared of rape and sexual assault charges after a jury found him not guilty at the end of his trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

The 28-year-old’s reputation was thrown into disarray when he was charged on 25 July 2025 with allegedly raping a woman he had met that night in the back of a car in January 2023.

The Crown Prosecution Service authorised the Metropolitan Police to bring charges following an investigation. From the beginning, Ward consistently denied the allegations, stating: “Everything we did was wholly consensual.”

When his trial began on Monday, 29 June 2026, Ward denied two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault, all relating to allegations made by the same woman.

Ward maintained throughout the trial that the sexual activity had been consensual, telling the jury that he believed they were “having a great time” during the encounter. He added:

“She was reciprocating the energy. She was pulling me close. For me, that was an inviting act and we were both enjoying that moment.”

Ward further said that his accuser “never mentioned anything about wanting to leave”.

The complainant’s account was markedly different. She told the jury through tears that she would have “never would have got in that car with him” had she known what would happen.

Giving evidence, she rejected suggestions from Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC, representing Ward, that the encounter was consensual, telling jurors: “Micheal raped me.”

She said she “completely shut down” during the alleged attack and “did not use the word no”.

The complainant also told the court she repeatedly informed Ward she needed to leave “on multiple occasions”. While travelling home with a friend afterwards, she ordered an STI testing kit and selected the option indicating she had been sexually assaulted.

After more than five hours of deliberations, jurors returned unanimous not guilty verdicts on all five charges. Ward became emotional and wept as the verdicts were read, with family, supporters and his legal team, including Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC, celebrating the outcome.

Ward rose to prominence as Jamie in Netflix’s Top Boy and has also starred in Blue Story, Empire of Light and Steve McQueen’s Small Axe. He won the EE Rising Star Award at the 2020 BAFTAs and has established himself as one of Britain’s most recognisable young actors.

The allegations had a significant impact on his career and standing within the industry. Shortly after being charged, he was dropped by his UK talent agency, Olivia Bell Management.

Jamaica-born Ward moved to east London as a young child and was raised by his mother alongside his three sisters after his father died in a car crash when he was two years old. His mother celebrated by his side after the jury returned its not guilty verdict.