Katie Price's Ex-Husband Told Teenager to 'Take It to the Grave,' Rape Trial Hears

Kieran Hayler, the former husband of television personality Katie Price, allegedly instructed a teenage girl to keep quiet about what he had done to her, telling her she should "take it to the grave," a jury at Lewes Crown Court has heard.

Hayler, 39, is standing trial accused of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against a girl who was 13 years old at the time of the alleged offences. The incidents are said to have taken place in West Sussex in 2016. Hayler denies all of the charges against him.

The court was shown a video recording of a police interview in which the complainant, who is now an adult, broke down in tears as she described the impact of the alleged abuse and the confusion she felt at the time. She told officers she had lied to her mother about the nature of what had happened because she was afraid of how her mother would perceive her.

"I didn't want her to think I was disgusting," the complainant said during the interview, which was played to jurors. She explained that she initially told her mother that Hayler had touched her but stopped short of disclosing that it was sexual in nature, fearing that "maybe I'd led him on."

The complainant described a prolonged period of self-blame, telling police: "I thought it was my fault for ages." She also recounted how Hayler allegedly contacted her two or three years after the incidents and urged her to remain silent about what had occurred between them.

According to her account, Hayler told her: "You promise you won't tell anyone? What we had was special – you better take it to the grave." The complainant said he also suggested that speaking out might get her into trouble and that it could end badly for her, though she told officers she had not felt frightened of him at the time.

The court heard how the complainant struggled to understand the nature of what was happening during the alleged offences. She told police that Hayler had framed his behaviour as something positive, which left her confused about whether she was being harmed or cared for. "At the time I thought he really cares about me so he's not doing something horrible," she said, explaining that he described it as "a good thing."

The psychological toll of the alleged abuse was laid bare in the police interview, with the complainant describing compulsive washing and an obsession with cleanliness in the aftermath. She recalled taking as many as four showers a day and said her mother remembered her "always washing" and changing her underwear several times daily.

She also described moments of doubt and distress, telling officers: "I definitely remember thinking he's a lot older than me, is this something he should be doing? I remember crying and wondering if it should have been happening." Those words underscored the confusion and isolation she felt during a period when she was still a child.

After the video interview was played, the complainant gave evidence in person, testifying from behind a screen in the courtroom. She was asked whether she recalled anything further, and she spoke about a third alleged incident during which Hayler allegedly sent her a message saying, "I love you, goodnight." She told the court she had replied, "I love you too."

The case only came to the attention of authorities in 2021, when the complainant contacted the NSPCC. The charity referred her to the police, which prompted an investigation. Hayler was first interviewed by officers in January 2022, at which point he denied that any of the allegations took place and insisted that nothing sexual had occurred.

At the time of the alleged offences, Hayler was married to Katie Price, a well-known media personality and former model. The couple's relationship broke down in 2018, and they divorced in 2021. The court heard that Hayler has suggested his ex-wife "launched a campaign" against him when their marriage ended and that the allegations form part of that campaign.

The complainant is not a member of either Hayler's or Price's extended families, the court was told. Price is expected to appear as a witness during the trial, which is anticipated to last approximately one week. The prosecution case continues to unfold at Lewes Crown Court.

The trial has highlighted the complex dynamics that can arise in cases involving allegations of historical sexual abuse, particularly when the complainant was a child at the time and the allegations surface years later. The court heard how the complainant's delayed disclosure was marked by shame, self-doubt, and a fear of not being believed – emotions that experts say are common among survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

The case also raises questions about the role of character witnesses and the impact of high-profile connections on the legal process. Hayler's legal team has signalled that his defence will include the suggestion that the allegations were fabricated as part of a broader personal grievance following the end of his marriage to Price.

Throughout the proceedings, Hayler has maintained his innocence. He denies three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The jury will ultimately decide whether the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The trial continues, with further evidence expected to be heard in the coming days. The court has yet to hear from Katie Price, whose testimony could prove significant given the defence's stated position that the allegations are connected to the breakdown of the former couple's marriage.