Reality TV star Katie Price has arrived at Lewes Crown Court to give evidence at the trial of her ex-husband Kieran Hayler, who denies three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against a 13-year-old girl.
Hayler, 39, allegedly attacked the girl between June 2016 and October 2016 in West Sussex, while he was still married to Katie, 48. It has been confirmed that the girl is not a member of his or Katie’s wider family.
Allegations and Defence
The trial began today (October 12) with jurors told that Hayler accused the Mucky Mansion star of making up the allegations as part of a smear campaign against him.
Prosecutor Ryan Richter said: "The prosecution asserts that there is no connection and you should guard against being distracted by the troubled background that has played out between Mr Hayler and Ms Price as their relationship ended."
He added: "He felt that something had been ‘created’ and he was being set up. Mr Hayler maintains that denial."
Messages with the Alleged Victim
The jury was previously told how the girl had sent messages back and forth with Katie after coming forward about the alleged assault. The girl told police: "She messaged me to say ‘I know you are going through a tough time and I support you in everything’. I said ‘Thanks for your support, but I can’t really talk about it’."
She added: "I thought she would screenshot it and send it to Kieran, so I deleted it and blocked her."
It has also been claimed that Katie messaged the alleged victim and vowed to make her a "little star" when quizzing if she had kissed her ex-husband Hayler. The message thread took place in May 2017, eight months after the last alleged attack. Katie wrote: "I WON’T say anything and I PROMISE I’ll protect you! I’m only asking as this is a serious allegation to say."
The girl was 14 at the time and replied: "It was just a flirt thing and he knew it was wrong. Nothing happened." Katie asked: "Was it just a flirt and what did he do to realise it was wrong? Did he try (to) kiss you? I won’t bring (it) up anymore (I) just want (the) truth! I will make you a little star. Please help and tell me... as long as I know the truth, I won’t say. I PROMISE."
The girl responded: "I never wanted to have this conversation with you and this was over eight months ago... maybe longer. I’m really sorry." Katie then further queried if Hayler ever confessed that he "liked or fancied" the girl. She answered: "Yes, but I took it as a joke. Please don’t get angry at him because of me."
Defence barrister Arlette Piercy asked how the girl received the "little star" message and she said: "I think I just ignored it."
Background and Proceedings
The girl, now 23, reported her allegations to the NSPCC children’s charity in 2021, which then referred them to police. Jurors heard that Hayler told the schoolgirl he really liked her and began speaking to her about sex before the first alleged rape. The girl also accuses Hayler of raping her on two other occasions.
Hayler was interviewed by police in January 2022 and denied all of the sexual allegations. Hayler, who previously worked as a stripper, married Katie in the Bahamas, becoming her third husband in 2013. The couple split in 2018 and officially divorced in 2021. The trial continues.
