Actor Micheal Ward has been unanimously acquitted of rape and sexual assault following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London.
The jury deliberated for five hours and 25 minutes before returning not guilty verdicts on two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault. The charges stemmed from an alleged incident on 2 January 2023 following an 'all-white' New Year's party in Gants Hill, east London. Ward was arrested at an airport upon returning to the UK from Italy shortly after the alleged incident.
During the trial, the court heard that forensic examination of the complainant's clothing found no blood, contrary to her recollection. The complainant admitted she found Ward attractive and that an initial encounter was consensual. Ward's solicitor said the investigation had lasted three and a half years before the unanimous verdicts were delivered.