The prosecution explained that the woman attempted to escape the vehicle while “feeling uncomfortable” before the defendant intervened.
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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.”
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The defense maintains that all interactions were entirely mutual.
