Katie Price told authorities that her then-husband Kieran Hayler had groomed and sexually abused his alleged teenage rape victim from when she was aged 13 and had fallen in love with her, a court heard.
Hayler, 39, is accused of three rapes and a separate sexual assault against the alleged victim between June and October 2016, when she was aged 13 and he was married to the TV personality. He denies all charges.
In a list of agreed facts read in court, the jury heard that on August 9, 2018, Ms Price told a social worker her then-husband had been grooming the alleged complainant. The court heard Ms Price had alleged Hayler “had been grooming her since she was 13, grabbing her bottom and telling her he was falling in love with her”.
Mother’s evidence in court
On Thursday, the complainant's mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, gave evidence. She told the court Ms Price seemed “angry and feeling vengeful” towards her then-husband after being told he had allegedly sexually abused the girl, but did not seem to care about her daughter.
Giving evidence from behind a screen at Lewes Crown Court, she said in August 2017 her daughter told her Hayler had done things to her, adding “he's done everything to me, mummy”. The girl's mother admitted she later told Ms Price about the allegation weeks later as she felt “a burden”.
The woman told the court: “I felt that she had a right to know. I felt I should tell her. I said to [the complainant] because the marriage situation had broken down it was only fair I let Katie know. [My daughter] wasn't OK about it, but she wasn't OK at any of the situation.”
“[My daughter] said 'I can understand why you would want to tell her, but I don't think it will help, it will probably make it worse'. After a little bit longer I did tell [Katie]. I said to Katie 'I think Kieren has done something to [the complainant]'. She was shocked and probably swore. She was quite angry... I didn't feel that she was particularly upset for [my daughter]. I felt like she was just angry and feeling vengeful towards Kieren for the situation they were in.”
“[Katie Price] kept saying: 'You could get him into trouble if you tell anyone'. I said 'yes I know, but [the complainant] doesn't want me to tell anybody and we have to respect her wishes'. We have to look after [the complainant].”
Allegations disclosed to police
The woman said she told Ms Price she feared Hayler had done something to her daughter weeks after she had confided in her. When the woman asked her daughter what Hayler had done, she said her daughter broke down as she said “he's done everything to me mummy”.
The complainant's mother said: “She went quite pale and then she started crying. I said 'why are you crying?' She just cried more and more and she said because 'he's done things to me'. I said what has he done to you? She cried more and she said 'he's done everything to me mummy'.”
Asked whether she later tried to ask her more about her allegations, the woman said: “I did on many occasions and she just said her main concern was that I would keep her secret and not tell her father, not anyone. Nobody must know, you must never tell anybody. She said I was the only person she could trust and I couldn't betray her by telling anybody.”
Asked whether she knew her daughter was going to contact police about her allegations in October 2021 in advance, the woman said: “Not until she'd done that, she told me afterwards. She said 'I don't think you're going to be very happy'. I said 'why?' She said 'I've reported it to the police'. I knew straight away what she meant.”
The woman said she and the complainant again discussed the allegations in the days afterwards. She said: “She didn't want to go into details. She said he'd done everything to her and that she'd lost her virginity. She said that [at the time] she thought it was normal. He told her it was normal and she said he cried afterwards and told her that if she told anyone they would both get into trouble. She said it made her sick and dirty whenever she felt about what had happened. She said at the time she thought it was normal, but looking back on it she realised it wasn't.”
Police involvement and messages
The woman said she was contacted by police in August or September 2018 after Ms Price told social services about her daughter's allegations, but her daughter refused to engage with officers. She said: “She was absolutely adamant she didn't want to speak to the police. I spoke to an officer. I said [the complainant] didn't want to talk to them.”
The woman admitted that her telling Price had caused her daughter to be angry at her. She said: “There were [fallings out]. She probably didn't want anyone to ever know and yes it did cause arguments. We did have a fallout, yes.”
The alleged victim's mother gave evidence on Thursday afternoon, a day after the jury heard Ms Price had quizzed the alleged rape victim and told her “I'll make you a little star”. Lewes Crown Court heard that Ms Price, 48, sent the girl, then aged 14, a number of messages in May 2017.
In messages read to court, Ms Price told the complainant she had been told that she and Hayler “kissed and he tried it on with you and may have done more”. Ms Price added: “Is this rubbish? I won't say anything. I'm only asking as this is a serious allegation.”
In another message, Ms Price asked: “Was it just a flirt and what did he do to realise it was wrong? Did he try kiss you? I won't bring up any more, just want truth! I will make you a little star.”
The alleged victim, now 23, was asked during cross-examination on Wednesday what she thought Ms Price meant and said she did not know, adding: “I ignored it.” Ms Price also asked the girl: “What were the messages? Please help and tell me... as long as I know the truth I won't say. I promise.”
The girl, who is not a member of Ms Price or Hayler's families, replied: “It was just a flirt thing, he knew it was wrong. I deleted his number. Nothing happened.” Katie went on to ask: “Did he ever say he liked or fancied you?” The schoolgirl replied: “Yes, but I took it as a joke.”
The court heard Katie Price contacted social services in 2018 with allegations about Hayler's alleged conduct towards the complainant. After Ms Price contacted social services, police visited the alleged victim's home, but her mother told officers her daughter did not want to get involved. The complainant told the court: “They never spoke to me, they spoke to my mum. My mum asked me and I said no.” Asked by the judge what her mother asked her, she told him: “I don't remember, sir”. The complainant later contacted the NSPCC in October 2021 before speaking to police shortly afterwards.
Asked by the judge what impact, if anything, Ms Price's decision to contact social services had on her decision to contact the NSPCC, the complainant replied: “None at all. It was my own decision.”
Her witness testimony ended on Wednesday after she spent two days on the stand. She had repeatedly cried during cross-examination, describing herself as “overwhelmed”. The trial continues.
