Top Boy actor denies he was 'bent on' getting his way with alleged rape victim

Top Boy actor Micheal Ward denied he was "bent on" getting his own way when he allegedly raped a woman in the back of a car, a court has heard.

Ward is accused of raping the woman after meeting her at a nightclub in east London.

Under cross-examination during his trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Ward said that everything that took place was consensual and described the woman as an "active participant".

Ward, 28, of Silvertown, east London, denies two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault against the woman on 2 January 2023.

Prosecutor Tracy Ayling KC told Ward "you were bent on getting what you wanted".

Ward replied: "That definitely was not the case. I have no interest in being with someone who does not want to be with me."

Ms Ayling added: "You were bent that night on having sex with her come what may."

Ward said: "No miss, it was what we wanted. She was a willing participant in everything that went on."

The court heard they later messaged each other. Ward sent her a smiling emoji with a heart and she told him to enjoy the rest of his night.

Ms Ayling also said: "I would suggest you were only trying to make sure that she would not report what happened that night."

Ward responded: "No, I would suggest that would be wrong."

Ward previously told the jury that "everything we did was wholly consensual and we were having a great time".

He said they had shared a "quite flirty" conversation and "passionate" kisses, which then turned into a "developing situation".

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When Ms Ayling suggested "the only person who has a great time was you", Ward said: "She was consenting by the way she was moving with me and she was an active participant in everything we did."

He said that everything that took place was consensual, including the intimate acts, adding "it was something she wanted to do and (it was) not that I forced her".

Ward hosted a New Year party in Gants Hill, east London, after he spent Christmas with his close-knit family, the court heard.

The party took place during a pause in his work schedule.

Ward said he thought the woman was "very cute" when he saw her for the first time outside the venue, as she was with a group of friends.

He told the court he chatted to them, had a "quite flirty" conversation with the woman, and asked for her Snapchat details.

He said they kissed and hugged in a Mercedes outside the party, and later had an intimate encounter in another Mercedes outside an after-party.

Ward denied he stopped her from attempting to get out of the unlocked car, in contrast to the woman's claims that she told Ward she needed to leave "on multiple occasions".

On Tuesday, Ward told the court: "She stayed which allowed us to grow our sexual contact."

Jurors previously heard the woman tell the court that she "did not use the word no" during the encounter and "completely shut down".

Ward said he did not force her and they kissed, hugged, and had a conversation before she departed.

He wanted to see her again, but he had a busy work schedule.

The court heard they later exchanged messages and he sent her a smiling emoji with a heart, meaning he was going to miss her, and the woman told him to enjoy the rest of his night.

The trial continues.

(c) Sky News 2026: Top Boy actor denies he was 'bent on' getting his way with alleged rape victim