Katie Price's Ex-Husband Told 13-Year-Old Girl to Keep Alleged Abuse Secret, Court Told

Kieran Hayler, the former husband of media personality Katie Price, allegedly instructed a 13-year-old girl to remain silent about sexual abuse and warned that he could "get in trouble" if she spoke out, a jury at Lewes Crown Court has heard.

Hayler, 39, is standing trial accused of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against the teenager in West Sussex in 2016. He denies all charges and has suggested that his ex-wife Katie Price "launched a campaign" against him following the collapse of their marriage.

The court was told that during the first alleged incident, Hayler expressed that he "really liked" the 13-year-old and initiated a conversation about engaging in sexual activity. According to prosecutors, he described the act as a "special thing" before proceeding to rape her.

Jurors were shown a video recording of the complainant's police interview, in which she recounted Hayler telling her how significant the first time was. She described him becoming emotional during the encounter, telling her: "Maybe I shouldn't take it away from you, it's so important."

The complainant told investigators that no conversation took place between them following the alleged assault, and she remembered thinking at the time that she "was probably a bit young."

The prosecution alleges that Hayler went on to rape the girl on two further occasions. The second incident is said to have occurred approximately two to three weeks after the first. The complainant recalled waking up to find Hayler present, and described how he behaved "like nothing had happened" afterwards.

During the third alleged encounter, the court heard that Hayler warned the girl not to disclose what had happened, before sexually assaulting her. She told police he said: "You can't talk about it, you can't tell anyone, I might get in trouble for this."

It is alleged that during this incident, Hayler grabbed the complainant's hand and placed it down his trousers without her consent.

In her police interview, the complainant described the emotional toll of the alleged abuse, stating: "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." She added that she had attempted to suppress the memories for years, telling officers: "I tried to forget it for so many years."

The court heard that the allegations only came to light in 2021 when the complainant contacted the NSPCC, the UK's leading children's charity dedicated to protecting young people from abuse. The organisation subsequently referred the matter to police, triggering a formal investigation.

Hayler was first interviewed by police in January 2022, during which he denied all allegations and maintained that nothing sexual had occurred between him and the complainant. He has consistently denied the charges throughout the legal process.

At the time of the alleged offences, Hayler was married to Katie Price, a well-known British media personality, television presenter, and former model. The couple's relationship broke down in 2018, and their divorce was finalised in 2021.

The court was told that Hayler has suggested his ex-wife "launched a campaign" against him when their marriage ended, and that these allegations form part of that broader campaign. The prosecution disputes this characterisation.

The alleged victim is not related to either Hayler or Price and is not part of their extended families, the court heard.

Katie Price is expected to be called as a witness during the trial, which is anticipated to last approximately one week. Her testimony could provide relevant context regarding the timeline of events and the breakdown of the marriage.

Child protection experts note that cases involving historical allegations of abuse against minors present unique challenges for prosecutors, as they often rely heavily on the testimony of the complainant and any contemporaneous evidence that may have been preserved. Delayed reporting is common in such cases, with survivors frequently citing fear, shame, or a lack of understanding about what happened to them as reasons for not coming forward sooner.

The NSPCC has long encouraged victims of childhood sexual abuse to report their experiences, regardless of how much time has passed, emphasising that it is never too late to seek justice and support.

Sexual assault referral centres across the UK provide specialised support for survivors, including counselling, medical care, and assistance navigating the criminal justice system. These services are available to individuals regardless of whether they choose to report to police.

The trial at Lewes Crown Court continues, with further evidence expected to be presented in the coming days. The court has not yet heard from Hayler himself, who is expected to give evidence in his defence. The jury will ultimately determine whether the prosecution has proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Proceedings remain ongoing, and reporting restrictions may apply to certain aspects of the evidence presented. The trial is expected to conclude within the week, after which the jury will deliberate on the four charges against Hayler.