British actor Micheal Ward has been cleared of rape and sexual assault charges following a closely watched trial in London.
The Top Boy and Blue Story star was found not guilty on all counts after a jury returned its verdict at Southwark Crown Court, bringing an end to a case that had drawn widespread attention across the British entertainment industry.
Ward had consistently denied the allegations throughout the proceedings, maintaining his innocence from the moment charges were brought against him.
During the trial, his legal team argued that the evidence did not support the accusations, while prosecutors presented testimony from the complainant.
Following the verdict, the 28-year-old actor thanked the jury for carefully considering the evidence and expressed relief that the case had finally come to an end.
Ward rose to international prominence after winning the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2020.
He has since appeared in several acclaimed productions, including Empire of Light, The Book of Clarence, Small Axe, and the Netflix crime drama Top Boy, where his performance earned praise from critics and audiences alike.
The verdict clears the way for the actor to return his focus to his career. Ward is expected to appear in several upcoming film projects, including Eddington, one of Hollywood’s most anticipated releases.
The case attracted significant media attention because of Ward’s growing profile in the film industry, but the jury’s unanimous verdict means the actor leaves court without any criminal convictions, allowing him to continue his career after months of legal uncertainty.