Bafta-winning actor Micheal Ward pleaded not guilty to multiple sexual offense charges, including two counts of rape, on Monday during the opening of his trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London.
The 28-year-old actor, known for his roles in Top Boy and Blue Story, faces two counts of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault, in addition to the rape charges.
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The allegations stem from an incident in January 2023.
Prosecutor Tracy Ayling KC told the jury that Ward met the complainant 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. He asked for her Snapchat handle and later invited her to an afterparty in Stratford.
According to the prosecution, the woman left the Stratford gathering with friends after sensing an unusual atmosphere. Ward allegedly directed her to a parked vehicle down the road.
Inside the vehicle, Ward became impatient and told the woman to stop wasting time when she initially permitted only kissing from the front seat.
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The alleged assaults occurred in the back seat, where the woman opened the car door out of discomfort before Ward ordered her to close it.
After the encounter, the complainant returned home and ordered a sexually transmitted infection testing kit, marking a box to indicate she had experienced a sexual assault.
The prosecution explained that the woman exchanged brief, friendly messages with Ward afterward because she had not fully processed the situation.
Ward was arrested on January 18, 2023, and charged in 2025. In a prepared statement to the Metropolitan Police, he said: "I deny the allegation of rape.
I want to put on record that we had consensual foreplay and consensual sex."
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The trial continues at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
