Kieran Hayler Trial: Katie Price's Ex-Husband Allegedly Told 13-Year-Old Girl to Stay Silent, Court Hears

Kieran Hayler, the former husband of media personality Katie Price, is standing trial at Lewes Crown Court on serious allegations involving a teenage girl. The 39-year-old faces three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, all of which he firmly denies. The charges relate to incidents that are alleged to have occurred in West Sussex in 2016, when the complainant was just 13 years old. The trial, which is expected to last approximately one week, has already heard detailed and distressing testimony from the complainant's police interview, shedding light on the accusations at the heart of the case.

According to the court, the prosecution alleges that Hayler raped the girl on three separate occasions. The first alleged incident is said to have taken place after Hayler told the 13-year-old that he really liked her and began talking to her about sex. Jurors heard that he described the act as a "special thing" and suggested they should do it before he allegedly raped her. The court was played the complainant's police interview, in which she recounted how Hayler told her how special and "important" the first time was. She described him becoming emotional, saying: "He started crying and saying, 'Maybe I shouldn't take it away from you, it's so important'."

The complainant told police that she did not have a "conversation" with Hayler following the first alleged incident. She recalled thinking at the time, "I was probably a bit young," a statement that underscores the vulnerability of a child navigating an experience she was ill-equipped to understand. The court heard that the second alleged rape occurred two or three weeks later. On that occasion, the complainant said she remembered waking up to find Hayler present, and afterward, he behaved "like nothing had happened." This detail, according to legal observers, may be significant in establishing a pattern of behaviour and the emotional impact on the complainant.

The third alleged occasion, the court heard, involved Hayler telling the girl that she should not tell anyone before he sexually assaulted her. The complainant stated that he told her: "You can't talk about it, you can't tell anyone, I might get in trouble for this." It is further alleged that he grabbed her hand and placed it down his trousers. Speaking about this incident, the complainant told police: "I think by that point I knew it wasn't quite right, he kept telling me to 'shh', I had to be secretive and not tell anyone." She also revealed the lasting toll of the alleged abuse, stating: "I tried to forget it for so many years."

The court heard that the complainant eventually contacted the NSPCC charity in 2021, which referred her to the police, prompting an investigation. Hayler was first interviewed by police in January 2022. During that interview, he denied that any of the allegations took place and maintained that nothing sexual occurred. His defence appears to hinge, at least in part, on the suggestion that his ex-wife, Katie Price, had "launched a campaign" against him when their marriage ended, and that the allegations form part of that campaign. The court was told that Hayler was married to Price at the time of the alleged incidents. Their relationship broke down in 2018, and they divorced in 2021.

The complainant is not part of Hayler or Price's extended families, the court heard, a detail that may be relevant as the trial proceeds. Price herself is expected to be a witness in the trial. Her anticipated testimony could prove pivotal, particularly given the defence's suggestion that she may have had a motive to encourage or support the allegations. Legal analysts note that when a defendant points to a possible motive for a false accusation, the prosecution must demonstrate that the complainant's account is credible and consistent, often relying on corroborating evidence or the complainant's own demeanour and testimony.

The case has attracted significant media attention, largely due to Hayler's high-profile marriage to Price, a well-known British television personality, author, and former model. The glare of publicity adds an additional layer of complexity to proceedings, as the court must balance the defendant's right to a fair trial with the public's interest in the case. Reporting restrictions are standard in cases involving alleged sexual offences, and the identity of the complainant is protected by law. The BBC and other outlets covering the trial have been careful to adhere to these restrictions.

For the complainant, the journey from contacting the NSPCC in 2021 to giving evidence in a Crown Court trial represents a significant and often daunting process. Charities that support survivors of sexual abuse emphasise that coming forward can take years, particularly when the alleged abuse occurred in childhood. The complainant's statement that she "tried to forget it for so many years" reflects a common coping mechanism among survivors, who may suppress traumatic memories only to find them resurfacing later in life. The referral by the NSPCC to law enforcement highlights the role that third-sector organisations play in facilitating the reporting of historical allegations.

The trial continues, and Hayler is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The burden of proof rests squarely on the prosecution, which must convince the jury beyond reasonable doubt. The coming days are expected to bring further testimony, including potentially from Hayler himself, as well as from witnesses called by both the prosecution and the defence. Price's appearance as a witness is anticipated to draw particular scrutiny, and her evidence may be weighed carefully by the jury as they assess the competing narratives presented by the Crown and the defence.

As the case unfolds, the court will also consider the broader implications for how allegations of historical child sexual abuse are investigated and prosecuted. Advances in understanding trauma and memory have shaped how police and courts handle cases where the complainant was very young at the time of the alleged offences. The fact that the complainant was 13 at the time of the alleged incidents is central to the gravity of the charges. Under English law, a child under 16 cannot legally consent to sexual activity, and allegations involving a child of that age are treated with the utmost seriousness.

The trial at Lewes Crown Court is expected to last about a week, after which the jury will retire to consider its verdicts. For now, the court continues to hear evidence, and the public is reminded that Hayler denies all charges. The outcome will depend on the jury's assessment of the evidence, including the complainant's police interview, any testimony from Price, and any other witnesses or exhibits presented. As with all criminal trials, the presumption of innocence remains a fundamental principle, and the verdict will be delivered based solely on the evidence presented in court.