Micheal Ward Cleared of Rape and Sexual Assault Allegations
WHO:
ABC News - Micheal Ward won the Rising Star award at the British Academy Film Awards in 2020.
ABC News - Ward was nominated for an acting BAFTA for Sam Mendes’ “Empire of Light.”
ABC News - Ward was nominated for a BAFTA television award for the series “Small Axe.”
ABC News - British actor Micheal Ward, 28 years old, known for his roles in "Top Boy," "Blue Story," "The Book of Clarence," and "Eddington."
Variety - Ward was accused of raping a woman.
Deadline - Ward is also recognized for his role in Steve McQueen’s "Small Axe."
WHAT:
AllHipHop - The jury's not guilty verdict was described as a "major courtroom victory" for Micheal Ward.
ABC News - Micheal Ward was acquitted of two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault.
Variety - The jury found Ward not guilty of the charges.
ABC News - Ward expressed that he had “full faith” he’d be cleared of the charges.
ABC News - Defense lawyer Humzah Ilyas stated that Ward was “looking forward to getting back to doing the work he loves.”
WHERE:
ABC News - The trial took place in Snaresbrook Crown Court, London.
Variety - The alleged incident occurred in the back of a Mercedes after meeting the woman outside a New Year’s party in London.
WHEN:
ABC News - The alleged incident took place in January 2023.
ABC News - The acquittal was announced on a Friday.
WHY:
ABC News - Ward denied the charges against him.
HOW:
ABC News - The jury reached a not guilty verdict following a trial.
(UPDATED July 10, 2026 20:23 UTC)
Micheal Ward has achieved a significant milestone, as a jury has delivered a not guilty verdict, marking a major courtroom victory for him. In addition to this recent development, Ward was previously honored with the Rising Star award at the British Academy Film Awards in 2020 and received nominations for his performances in Sam Mendes’ “Empire of Light” and the series “Small Axe.” These accolades highlight his rising prominence in the film and television industry.
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(UPDATED July 10, 2026 17:33 UTC)
British actor Micheal Ward, known for his roles in "Top Boy" and "Small Axe," has been acquitted of multiple charges, including two counts of rape and assault. The jury found him not guilty after a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London, where Ward expressed his confidence in being cleared of the accusations. Following the verdict, his defense lawyer stated that Ward is eager to return to his work in the entertainment industry.