Real Housewives' Dawn Ward breaks silence as she shares details of 'traumatic period'

Real Housewives of Cheshire star Dawn Ward has broken her silence on social media after being cleared of all charges in court.

The reality TV star, 48, had been accused of racially abusing two Jewish men, brothers Jake and Sam Jacobs, and possessing cocaine after being arrested in October 2019 at London Euston.

However, she has now thanked “all those people who have supported me” in an emotional post after being acquitted of the charges at London Crown Court.

Taking to Instagram, Dawn opened up about the “Most traumatic and stressful” period in her life, telling fans she doesn’t believe she’ll ever get over it.

She also insisted: “Anybody who remotely knows me knows I stand for equality of race, religion and sexuality and I will continue to live my life to these values and raise my children to do the same.”

Part of her statement read: “After the most stressful and traumatic period of my life I would like to thank all those people who have supported me and lifted my morale when I was truly and utterly flattened.

“The messages of support have honestly helped keep me strong throughout this harrowing ordeal. I have some truly amazing friends and family, of differing race and religions, who have supported me without question and for all of them I will be eternally grateful.”

She went on to explain she was “still prone to tears” and was still crying as she wrote the passionate post.

Dan continued: “I was found not guilty by 12 random, conscientious, jurors who left no stone unturned in their efforst to deliver justice.

“My barrister Lisa judge will forever be my hero, not only the best barrister you could ever imagine but also a wonderful human being.

“I am still prone to tears and am crying as I write this post. I don’t believe I will ever truly get over this.”

She went on to thank her ex-Premier League footballer husband Ashley Ward, adding she didn’t know she could love him any more than she already did.

Dawn walked away from The Real Housewives of Cheshire in 2020 before the 13th series of the ITV show.

It had previously been alleged she slapped Jake, and was found to have a small bag of cocaine in a cigarette packet.

Dawn had denied all charges and said that she did not know the cocaine was in the cigarette packet, claiming the cigs were left over from a party at her house.

Dan said she had been accused of “hiding her racism” by allowing her daughter Taylor to have a child with and get married to Manchester City player Riyad Mahrez.

Giving evidence in court this week, Ward said: “I don’t see anyone’s race, religion or anything like that. I see people as people.”

Her barrister Lisa Judge suggested the group had made up the allegations for “publicity” and had been insulting Ward about her “Botox face and wealth”.

Giving evidence, Jake Jacobs responded: “I didn’t know who she was. I can tell you Mrs Ward was very very drunk. I didn’t see any Botox, I certainly didn’t see any wealth.”

“I don’t even know what Botox does. I thought it was to do with wrinkles. How can Botox go wrong?”

During the defence case, Ward told jurors: “Jake Jacobs was raising his voice to the lady at customer service.

“I stupidly poked my nose in and said something along the lines of ‘Bloody hell leave her alone it’s not her fault, we are all in the same boat’.

“I should have just kept my nose out. Honestly I wouldn’t have a clue what religion he was. It didn’t even enter my mind. He was saying about my Botox face and throwing insults.

“He was referring to things about the show saying ‘You think you are it’. He said ‘What gives you the right to tell me what to do, who do you think you are? You are there on the show with your Botox face’, and he mentioned my wealth.”

Jake Jacobs also accused her of slapping him in the face with an “open palm” during the incident.

But during her evidence, the reality star made a patting gesture to the bottom of her jaw to indicate how she had touched Jake Jacobs and said she told him: “At least I’m going home first class”.

The reality star also told jurors she had “no idea” there was cocaine in her cigarette packet – claiming the box had been put in her handbag by her housekeeper.

She said: “I do a lot of charity events at the house, a lot of parties throughout the year. When the parties have finished. when my housekeepers clean up they put all the cigarettes and stuff them in oven gloves.

The reality star cried as the verdict was announced and said to the jury: “Thank you. Thank you so much, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Speaking outside court, Ward said she was “over the moon and relieved” at the verdicts.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk