Kieran Hayler Told Teen Not to Tell Authorities About Alleged Assault, Court Hears

Kieran Hayler, the former husband of television personality Katie Price, told a 13-year-old girl not to tell anyone about alleged sexual encounters, including rape, stating he might "get in trouble for this," a court has heard.

Hayler, 39, is currently on trial at Lewes Crown Court facing three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He denies all charges, which relate to incidents alleged to have occurred in West Sussex in 2016.

During the first alleged incident, Hayler told the then-13-year-old that he really liked her and discussed sex with her, according to evidence presented to the court. He reportedly described the act as a "special thing" before the alleged rape occurred. The court heard a recording of the complainant's police interview in which she stated Hayler cried and said, "Maybe I shouldn't take it away from you, it's so important." At the time, she recalled thinking she was "probably a bit young."

Jurors were told that Hayler allegedly raped the girl on two subsequent occasions. The second alleged incident, which took place two to three weeks later, involved Hayler being present when the complainant woke up. Afterwards, she stated he behaved as though "like nothing had happened."

On the third alleged occasion, Hayler is accused of telling the girl she should not inform anyone and then sexually assaulting her. The complainant reported Hayler saying, "You can't talk about it, you can't tell anyone, I might get in trouble for this." She also described him grabbing her hand and placing it down his trousers.

Following this alleged assault, the complainant told police that she knew "it wasn't quite right" and that Hayler kept telling her to "shh" and to be secretive. She added that she had "tried to forget it for so many years."

The complainant contacted the NSPCC in 2021, which subsequently referred the matter to the police, leading to the investigation. Hayler was first interviewed by police in January 2022, where he denied all allegations and stated that no sexual activity had occurred.

Hayler was married to Katie Price at the time of the alleged incidents. Their relationship ended in 2018, and they divorced in 2021. During the trial, Hayler suggested that his ex-wife had initiated a "campaign" against him after their marriage breakdown, and that these allegations were part of it.

The alleged victim is not related to Hayler or Price's families. Katie Price is expected to testify as a witness in the trial, which is anticipated to last approximately one week.

The trial continues.