Micheal Ward Responds After Being Charged With Rape

Actor Micheal Ward, known for his roles in Top Boy, Small Axe, and Blue Story, has been charged with multiple serious offences.

The 27-year-old has been accused of two counts of rape and three counts of s***** assault, according to the Metropolitan Police. The alleged incident involves one woman and is said to have taken place in January 2023.

Ward has spoken out, saying he strongly denies all the accusations. “I deny the charges against me entirely,” he said in a statement, adding that he has fully cooperated with police throughout the investigation. “I have full faith that the truth will come out and my name will be cleared.”

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed the charges. Catherine Baccas, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London South, said: “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 s****** assault against a woman in January 2023.”

She also reminded the public of the importance of a fair trial. “We remind all concerned that 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.”

Detective Superintendent Scott Ware from the Met Police said that specialist officers are continuing to support the woman who came forward. “We know investigations of this nature can have significant impact on those who make reports,” he said.

Ward is due to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court in London on August 28.

The actor rose to fame in 2019 with his performance in Blue Story, which earned him a BAFTA Rising Star award the following year.

He later played Jamie in Top Boy from 2019 to 2022, and received a BAFTA TV nomination for his role in Small Axe. He also starred in Sam Mendes’ Empire of Light and is set to appear in the upcoming Western drama Eddington, due out in the UK on August 22.

This story was first reported by BBC News, with statements provided by the Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service.

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