The Bafta-nominated actor Micheal Ward, who has appeared in Blue Story and Top Boy, has been charged with rape and sexual assault.

The 27-year-old is accused of offences against one woman in January 2023, the Metropolitan police have said. The force said he was charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

Ward, of Cheshunt in Hertfordshire, would appear at Thames magistrates court on 28 August, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Catherine Baccas, the deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London South, said: “Having carefully reviewed a file of evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the Metropolitan police to charge Micheal Ward, 27, with two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault against a woman in January 2023.”

She added: “We remind all concerned that proceedings against the suspect are active and he has a right to a fair trial. It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in anyway prejudice these proceedings.”

More details soon …