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Entertainment June 30, 2026

Michael Ward, Star of Top Boy, Charged with Overpowering Woman in Attempted Rape Incident

Michael Ward, Star of Top Boy, Charged with Overpowering Woman in Attempted Rape Incident

The trial of Michael Ward continued at Snaresbrook Crown Court, where the actor is accused of rape and other charges.

Ward, 28, denies the allegations of raping a woman in East London in 2023, as well as two counts of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault.

The court watched interviews with the alleged victim, in which she claimed Ward had 'overpowered' her after they met at an 'all-white party' at a nightclub in Essex.

Mandatory Mr Ward, 27, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, is charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault, the Metropolitan Police said. Mr Ward said: "I deny the charges against me entirely," and added that he had co-operated with police fully throughout their investigation and had full faith it would lead to his name being cleared. The alleged offences relate to one woman and to have taken place in January 2023, according to the police force.

The pair had allegedly kissed and touched consensually before heading to an afterparty, but the alleged victim left after a short time, feeling a 'weird vibe' at the second party, which mostly consisted of men.

Ward asked the woman to go to a car to talk, and in an interview with police, she recalled: 'I tried to leave the vehicle and he told me to close the door.'

The alleged victim said she felt 'scared' and 'numb' during the assaults, and was just 'wanting it all to be over.'

Top Boy actor Micheal Ward arrives at Thames Magistrates' Court, Bow Road, east London, where he is charged with rape and sexual assault. The offences relate to one woman and are alleged to have taken place in January 2023. Picture date: Thursday August 28, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire

She alleged that Ward had told her: 'If I tell you to do it, you do it,' and that she didn't feel like she had a choice.

The alleged victim also claimed that Ward orally raped her, with her feeling 'pressured'.

She told police that Ward was 'overpowering,' and that she genuinely believed if she did what he asked, she could leave.

No Merchandising. Editorial Use Only. No Book Cover Usage. Mandatory 305, aired Sept. 13, 2019). photo: Chris Harris / ?Netflix / courtesy Everett Collection Top Boy - 13 Sep 2019

The woman said she was 'embarrassed' about sending phone messages to Ward after the alleged assaults, which she had initially not handed over to police.

Ward was arrested on January 18, 2023, and told police in a prepared statement: 'I deny the allegation of rape. I want to put on record that we had consensual foreplay and consensual sex.'

The actor is best known for his role in Top Boy, but also appeared in Blue Story, Eddington, and Small Axe.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by James Gillham/Shutterstock (10390299f) Micheal Ward 'Top Boy' TV Show premiere, London, UK - 04 Sep 2019

He won the Bafta Rising Star honour in 2020, as well as being nominated for best supporting actor twice.

Ward made bail last August, on the condition that he did not contact the alleged victim, again denying the allegations.

The trial is ongoing, with the jury hearing further testimony from the alleged victim and other witnesses.

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