Award-winning actor Micheal Ward has denied allegations of rape and sexual assault as his trial gets underway at court in London.
The 28-year-old, best known for his roles in the Netflix series Top Boy and the film Blue Story, faces two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.Prosecutors told the court that the alleged offences took place in 2023 after Ward and the complainant met at a nightclub in London.
According to the prosecution, the pair exchanged contact details before later travelling to another location, where the alleged offences are said to have occurred inside a car.
Jurors heard a recorded police interview in which the complainant described feeling frightened and emotionally numb during the alleged incident. She alleged that she wanted the encounter to end and later reported the matter to police.
Ward, in a statement presented to the court following his arrest, denied the allegations. He told investigators that all sexual activity between him and the woman was consensual, including both foreplay and sexual intercourse.
The Jamaican-born, London-raised actor rose to prominence through his performances in Top Boy and Blue Story. He also received widespread recognition after winning the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020.
The trial is ongoing, and no verdict has been reached. Ward remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
