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

Kieran Hayler, the former husband of British media personality Katie Price, is standing trial at Lewes Crown Court accused of serious sexual offences against a 13-year-old girl, with jurors hearing testimony on Wednesday that he allegedly warned the complainant not to disclose what had happened because he "might get in trouble for this."

The 39-year-old defendant faces three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to incidents alleged to have occurred in West Sussex in 2016. He has denied all charges. The trial, expected to last approximately one week, has drawn significant public attention due to Hayler's prior marriage to Price, a well-known television personality and former model.

According to evidence presented in court, the prosecution alleges that during the first incident, Hayler told the teenager that he genuinely liked her and initiated a conversation about sexual activity. Jurors were told he described the act as a "special thing" and suggested they should proceed, before allegedly raping her.

The court was shown a video recording of the complainant's police interview, conducted after she came forward. In that interview, she recounted how Hayler had emphasized the significance of a first sexual experience. She described him becoming emotional and stating something to the effect of: "Maybe I shouldn't take it away from you, it's so important." The complainant also told officers she did not engage in any meaningful conversation with Hayler following the incident, recalling her own thoughts at the time: "I was probably a bit young."

The prosecution further alleges that Hayler raped the girl on two additional occasions. The second incident is said to have taken place roughly two to three weeks after the first. The complainant described waking to find Hayler present and stated that afterwards he behaved "like nothing had happened," suggesting a chilling normalcy that she found deeply unsettling.

The third alleged incident is central to the current testimony. The complainant told police that Hayler instructed her she could not discuss what had occurred and warned that he could face consequences. According to her account, he said words to the effect of: "You can't talk about it, you can't tell anyone, I might get in trouble for this." It is further alleged that during this encounter, he grabbed her hand and placed it down his trousers, constituting the charge of sexual assault.

Reflecting on this period, the complainant told investigators: "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." The emotional weight of carrying such a secret was also laid bare when she stated, "I tried to forget it for so many years," a comment that underscores the long-term psychological impact that survivors of childhood sexual abuse often endure.

The court heard that the complainant did not report the allegations for several years. It was not until 2021 that she contacted the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), a leading UK charity dedicated to child protection. The NSPCC subsequently referred her case to the police, which triggered a formal investigation.

Hayler was first interviewed by police in January 2022. During that interview, he denied all allegations, maintaining that nothing sexual had ever occurred between himself and the complainant. His defence team has suggested that his ex-wife, Katie Price, had "launched a campaign" against him following the breakdown of their marriage, and that the allegations form part of that campaign. The court was told that Hayler and Price were married at the time of the alleged incidents, with their relationship deteriorating before eventually ending in divorce in 2021.

The prosecution has been careful to note that the alleged victim is not related to either Hayler or Price and is not part of their extended families. This detail is significant in establishing the nature of the relationship and the context in which the alleged offences took place. Price herself is expected to appear as a witness during the trial, though her testimony has not yet been heard.

Legal experts note that cases involving historical allegations of child sexual abuse often hinge on the credibility of the complainant and the passage of time can present unique challenges for both prosecution and defence. Delayed reporting is common, particularly when the accused is known to the victim and when threats, shame, or fear of not being believed are factors. The NSPCC has consistently encouraged survivors to come forward regardless of how much time has passed, emphasizing that it is never too late to seek justice.

The trial continues before the jury, with further evidence expected to be presented in the coming days. Hayler remains on bail and has pleaded not guilty to all four counts. The outcome will rest on the jury's assessment of the evidence, including the complainant's police interviews, witness testimony, and the broader circumstances surrounding the allegations. As the proceedings unfold, the case highlights the importance of robust support systems for survivors and the complex dynamics that can arise when allegations surface years after the events in question.