Bafta-winning actor Micheal Ward, known for his roles in Top Boy and Blue Story, has been charged with rape and sexual assault, the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Friday.
Details of the Charges
Ward, 27, from Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, faces two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The charges relate to a single woman and are alleged to have taken place in January 2023.
Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, who is leading the investigation, said:
“Our specialist officers continue to support the woman who has come forward – we know investigations of this nature can have significant impact on those who make reports.”
Court Appearance Scheduled
Ward is set to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court in East London on August 28.
In a statement following the announcement of the charges, Ward strongly denied all allegations.
“I deny the charges against me entirely. I have cooperated fully with the police throughout their investigation and will continue to cooperate,” he said.
“I recognise that proceedings are now ongoing, and I have full faith that they will lead to my name being cleared. Given those proceedings, I am unable to comment further.”
CPS Statement
Catherine Baccas, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London South, confirmed the decision to prosecute.
“Having carefully reviewed a file of evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Micheal Ward, 27, with two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault against a woman in January 2023,” Baccas said.
She also reminded the public about the importance of a fair trial:
“Proceedings against the suspect are active and he has a right to a fair trial. It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Micheal Ward’s Career
Ward, who was born in Jamaica, first rose to fame with the TV series Brotherhood before landing the role of Jamie in Top Boy, which he played from 2013 to 2022.
In 2020, he won the prestigious Bafta Rising Star Award, and the following year, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Baftas for his role as Franklyn Cooper in Lovers Rock, part of the BBC’s Small Axe series directed by Steve McQueen.
Ward also starred in the 2022 film Empire of Light and will next be seen in the upcoming pandemic-era western Eddington, scheduled for UK release next month.
