Prosecutor Tracy Ayling KC opened the criminal trial of Bafta-winning actor Micheal Ward at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday.
The court heard allegations that the television star raped and sexually assaulted a woman inside a vehicle in January 2023.
The 28-year-old actor, known for roles in Top Boy and Blue Story, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault involving a single complainant.
According to the prosecution, the initial interaction occurred when Ward encountered the alleged victim at an “all-white party” at the Infinity Lounge nightclub in Gant’s Hill, east London, on New Year’s Day.
The woman recognized Ward from his television and film appearances before he requested her social media contact details.
As attendees left the venue around 2:20 a. m.
on January 2, the woman was invited to accompany Ward to a friend's vehicle. They shared a brief interaction before traveling to an afterparty in Stratford.
Jurors heard that the complainant experienced a “weird vibe” at the gathering and decided to leave shortly after arriving with her friends.
The court was told that Ward followed her outside, instructed her to walk behind him to a parked vehicle, and escalated his actions after moving into the back seat.
The complainant reportedly expressed her objections, stating “I don’t wanna do that.” Ms. Ayling said the woman clearly indicated she did not want to be in that situation.
The prosecution explained that the woman attempted to escape the vehicle while “feeling uncomfortable” before the defendant intervened.
The jury heard that Ward “quite sternly told her to close it” when she opened the car door, before allegedly committing the offenses.
Following the encounter, Ward sent the complainant a digital message containing a “teary-eyed emoji and a heart emoji” as she returned home.
The woman later sent a polite acknowledgment, telling the actor to “enjoy the rest of his evening” while dealing with physical distress.
Ms. Ayling explained that the woman kept subsequent correspondence “in friendly terms” because she “hadn't fully come to terms with what had actually happened to her.”
The victim delayed reporting the incident as she did not “really understand what had happened.”
The prosecution added that “because of who he is, she didn't feel she could speak out” given the defendant's public profile.
Ward was arrested by police on January 18, 2023, following the initial investigation.
In his defense, Ward stated: “I deny the allegation of rape. I want to put on record that we had consensual foreplay and consensual sex.”
The defense maintains that all interactions were entirely mutual.
