Kieran Hayler is on trial at Lewes Crown Court accused of multiple sexual offenses against a 13-year-old girl in West Sussex during 2016. The 39-year-old denies three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, with the prosecution and defense presenting contrasting accounts of the timeline and the motivations behind the allegations.
Lewes Crown Court Hears Testimony Regarding West Sussex Incidents
Kieran Hayler allegedly told a 13-year-old girl “I might get in trouble for this” before sexually assaulting her, according to court proceedings at Lewes Crown Court reported by thesun.ie. The alleged offenses took place between June and October 2016 in West Sussex, at a time when Hayler was married to his former wife, Katie Price. The complainant is not a member of either Hayler’s or Price’s extended family.
Jurors were played a recording of the complainant’s police interview, in which she stated that Hayler told her he really liked her and began discussing sex prior to the first alleged incident. He reportedly described the act as a “special thing” and a “good thing I needed to do.” The complainant told police: “He started crying and saying, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t take it away from you, it’s so important’.”
Following the first incident, Hayler is accused of raping the girl on two further occasions. Regarding the third incident, the complainant told police that she knew the situation was wrong and that Hayler instructed her to remain silent.
The complainant first reported the allegations to the NSPCC in December 2021 at the age of 18, which subsequently triggered a formal police investigation. She also disclosed to her mother that Hayler “did things to me” and “pinned me down,” prompting her mother to ask what had happened, to which she replied that he “did everything to me mum.”
Defense Denies Allegations and Points to Ex-Wife
Hayler was first interviewed by police in January 2022, during which he denied all allegations and maintained that nothing sexual occurred with the teenager. Prosecutor Ryan Richter told the court that Hayler claims Katie Price fabricated the allegations as part of a targeted campaign against him following the breakdown of their relationship.
The prosecution urged the jury to remain focused on the evidence and avoid being distracted by the turbulent history between Hayler and Price. Prosecutor Ryan Richter stated that the prosecution asserts there is no connection between the allegations and the couple’s troubled background, adding that Hayler felt something had been “created” and that he was being set up.
Katie Price, who married Hayler in the Bahamas in 2013 after previous marriages to Peter Andre and Alex Reid, is scheduled to appear as a witness in the trial. Hayler and Price separated in 2018 and finalized their divorce in 2021. The trial at Lewes Crown Court is expected to last for approximately one week.
Kieran Hayler Denies Rape and Sexual Assault Charges
- Defendant: Kieran Hayler, 39, former stripper and actor.
- Charges: Three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
- Location: West Sussex, with proceedings taking place at Lewes Crown Court.
- Timeframe of Alleged Offenses: Between June 2016 and October 2016.
- Reporting Date: The complainant contacted the NSPCC in December 2021 at age 18.
- Police Interview: Hayler was interviewed by police in January 2022, denying all charges.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Kieran Hayler Trial
How did the investigation into Kieran Hayler begin?
The investigation started after the complainant contacted the NSPCC charity in December 2021 when she was 18 years old. The charity referred the matter to the police, leading to Hayler’s initial police interview in January 2022.
What is Kieran Hayler’s defense against the charges?
Hayler denies all three counts of rape and the single count of sexual assault. He maintains that nothing sexual occurred and claims that the allegations were fabricated by his ex-wife, Katie Price, as part of a campaign against him following their 2018 separation.
Is Katie Price involved in the court proceedings?
Yes, Katie Price is expected to testify as a witness in the trial. Hayler and Price were married in 2013, separated in 2018, and officially divorced in 2021.
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