July 29, 2025
British actor Michael Ward faces rape costs in London amid his subsequent movie launch.
BAFTA Award-winning actor Michael Ward is professing his innocence after being charged with rape and sexual assault in London, England.
The British display screen star, greatest recognized for his starring position in Netflix’s hit Prime Boy and Steve McQueen’s Small Axe, was charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault, London’s Metropolitan Police introduced on July 25. The fees stem from an incident in January 2023 involving an unidentified girl.
Ward has since launched a press release saying, “I deny the costs towards me fully,” and confirmed that he’s absolutely cooperating with authorities all through the investigation, expressing confidence that his title might be cleared when the case is finalized, the BBC studies.
The actor is because of seem at Thames Magistrates’ Courtroom in London on Aug. 28. The Metropolitan Police have prolonged their assist to the girl who got here ahead with the allegations.
“Our specialist officers proceed to assist the girl who has come ahead — we all know investigations of this nature can have a big influence on those that make studies,” Metropolitan Police Detective Superintendent Scott Ware mentioned.
Different authorities say the costs have been filed after a evaluate of adequate proof towards Ward.
“Having fastidiously reviewed a file of proof, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the Metropolitan Police to cost Micheal Ward, 27, with two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one rely of sexual assault towards a girl in January 2023,” mentioned Catherine Baccas, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London South.
“We remind all involved that proceedings towards the suspect are energetic and he has a proper to a good trial,” she added. “It’s vital that there must be no reporting, commentary or sharing of knowledge on-line which may in any method prejudice these proceedings.”
Ward’s onscreen performances proceed to earn reward from audiences. His breakout position within the 2019 cult hit Blue Story earned him the Rising Star award on the 2020 BAFTA Movie Awards. He later portrayed Jamie in Netflix’s Drake-produced hit collection Prime Boy from 2019 to 2022 and was nominated for Greatest Supporting Actor on the 2021 BAFTA TV Awards for Steve McQueen’s Small Axe.
The Jamaican-born actor additionally appeared within the acclaimed 2022 drama Empire of Gentle and can subsequent star within the upcoming U.S. pandemic-era Western Eddington, set to premiere within the UK on Aug. 22.
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