Kieran Hayler Told Rape Accuser She Could Be His 'Best Friend', Court Hears

Kieran Hayler, the former husband of Katie Price, told a 13-year-old girl who later accused him of rape that she could be his best friend because he had no others, Lewes Crown Court heard. Hayler, 39, is on trial denying three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against the girl, who was 13 at the time of the alleged offenses in 2016. The girl is now 23.

During the trial, the complainant's mother testified that her daughter liked the way Hayler spoke to her and that he had expressed a desire for a best friend. "She said he told her he didn't have any friends and she could be his best friend. She liked the way he spoke to her," the mother told the jury.

The mother stated she kept the allegations secret to maintain her daughter's trust and did not tell her husband due to fear of the consequences. She denied being influenced by Katie Price to testify, asserting that her daughter was not interested in celebrity.

Text messages between Katie Price and the complainant were presented in court. The defense questioned the mother about these messages and her knowledge of the allegations, to which she responded that she believed her daughter and had taken action.

Earlier in the trial, it was suggested that Hayler believes his ex-wife fabricated the allegations as part of a campaign against him following their marriage breakdown. Hayler's legal team has stated he denies all allegations and is cooperating with the police investigation.

The complainant contacted the NSPCC in 2021, leading to a police investigation. Hayler was interviewed in January 2022 and denied any wrongdoing.

Hayler and Katie Price were married between 2013 and 2021. He met Price in 2012 and they married the following year. The alleged victim is not related to either Hayler or Price.

The trial at Lewes Crown Court is ongoing. Hayler denies all charges.