Micheal Ward acquitted of rape and sexual assault charges

British actor Micheal Ward, star of series 'Top Boy' and 'Small Axe', was acquitted on Friday of two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The charges stemmed from an alleged incident on January 2, 2023. Source: Listín Diario Ward, 28, broke down in tears as the jury delivered the not-guilty verdict at Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London. Source: El Caribe His lawyer, Humzah Ilyas, stated outside court that Ward is 'grateful' for the verdict and that for the past three and a half years, 'his life, as well as his successful career, were put on hold.' Source: Infobae Ilyas added that Ward, who always maintained the encounter was consensual, now hopes to 'return to the work he loves.' Source: Diario Libre She also acknowledged that allegations of sexual violence should be taken seriously. Source: Infobae The trial followed his arrest on January 18, 2023. Source: Listín Diario During the trial, Ward testified that the sexual encounter with the woman occurred in the back of two different cars during a night out in east London and was consensual, stating she never indicated she wanted to stop or leave the vehicle. Source: Listín Diario Born in Jamaica and raised in the UK, Ward won the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020 and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Television) in 2021 for his role in 'Small Axe.' He also appeared in films such as 'Blue Story' and 'Empire of Light' (2022). Source: El Caribe