Social media influencer ejected from Top Boy star’s trial over ‘inappropriate’ clips
A social media influencer has been thrown out of Top Boy star Micheal Ward’s rape case and threatened with contempt of court proceedings after posting “inappropriate” videos about the case to her followers.
The actor’s trial had to be paused after alarm was raised over a series of viral videos posted from Snaresbrook Crown Court by content creator Murad Merali, who has more than half a million followers on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok.
As the trial continued, Mr Merali approached the actor’s family members outside court and apparently filmed social media videos on the east London courthouse grounds – potentially within earshot of jurors.
In the videos, Mr. Merali commented on the cross-examination of the alleged victim by Ward’s lawyer and offered his own views on the woman’s credibility as well as the judge’s handling of the case.
Mr Merali faced Redbridge Recorder Judge Rosa Dean in court on July 3; Dean told the YouTuber to delete his posts and then ordered him to “leave the building.”
Mr. Merali was later removed from the courthouse by security guards.
The videos were also brought to the attention of the Attorney General, Lord Richard Hermer KC, to consider the possibility of bringing contempt of court proceedings against Mr Merali.
The judge also took the extraordinary step of clearing the public gallery for parts of the trial out of concerns that other influential people might air their own views on evidence heard in court and that the jury could be tainted by viewing the videos.
The dramatic development can be reported today after Ward was cleared of raping a woman he met at an East London nightclub in January 2023.
Merali, a YouTuber who made a name for herself by posting viral videos about Love Island contestants, was present in court during the opening days of the trial.
In one of the videos he made, which is available online, Mr Merali comments on Ward’s accuser being cross-examined by defense lawyer Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC, saying he “agreed” with some of the lawyer’s questions and offered his views on some of the exchanges.
After the videos emerged, the judge met with the lawyers privately and conducted an investigation to determine whether the jury was aware of the posts.
When Mr Merali told the court he was “very” sorry, the judge told him: “I am absolutely determined to make sure that nothing disrupts this hearing.”
It cleared the public gallery, allowing only accredited members of the media and family members to watch the proceedings, and also placed extra reporting restrictions on the case to ensure Ward’s accuser was not identified through reporting or commentary.
The judge also told the court that he had been in contact with the Attorney General’s Office, saying that the attorney general’s office was satisfied that “appropriate steps” had been taken to secure the case, and that the judge was “managing the risks of who will appear in court.”
Addressing Mr. Merali again, the judge said: “The Chief Public Prosecutor is satisfied that the trial can proceed safely.
“I request you to remove these posts.
“I understand that you are approaching Mr. Ward’s family members; this is inappropriate.”
He then ordered her to “leave the building” and she was escorted out.
It is understood that the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is satisfied with the step taken by the judge to protect the integrity of the trial and that there are no plans to file contempt of court proceedings against Mr. Merali.
