Kieran Hayler appeared at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday, October 15, 2026, to deny allegations involving a 13-year-old girl in West Suss*x back in 2016. Testifying before jurors, the 39-year-old maintained that no s*xual activity had ever occurred and suggested that his former wife, Katie Price, had influenced the complainant.
During the court proceedings, Hayler faced three counts of and one count of . Following the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, he additionally pleaded not guilty to four alternative counts of s*xual activity with a child, which the jury has been instructed to consider alongside the primary charges.
Testimony and Discovery of Messages
Taking the stand in his defense, Hayler told the trial that the allegations against him had been fabricated. He explained to the court that he discovered text messages on Ms Price’s phone in 2017 while searching for evidence related to a separate affair. According to Hayler, the messages showed Ms Price communicating with the teenager about him, including a comment where she wrote, “I will make you a little star.”
Hayler told jurors that he interpreted the exchange as coaching. “I thought she was coaching her into (saying) something she shouldn’t,” he testified. When asked why he photographed the screen, he stated that trust had deteriorated on both sides of their marriage before they officially separated in 2018 and subsequently divorced in 2021.
Defense barrister Arlette Piercy questioned Hayler about the context of the breakdown of his marriage, during which Hayler admitted to past infidelities while claiming Ms Price was also unfaithful and had launched a campaign against him.
Legal Directions and Charges
Judge Mark van der Zwart addressed the jury regarding the distinction between the principal charges and the alternative counts of s*xual activity with a child. The judge emphasized that the alternative counts do not feature references to the absence of consent, reminding jurors that it remains their sole responsibility to determine whether any s*xual activity took place between the defendant and the complainant.
If convicted, the principal charges carry severe penalties, with carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and carrying up to 10 years. The alternative charges of s*xual activity with a child carry a maximum sentence of 14 years.
The complainant initially contacted the NSPCC in 2021, which subsequently referred the matter to Suss*x Police. Hayler, who maintains his innocence across all counts, continued giving evidence as the trial proceeded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges does Kieran Hayler face at Lewes Crown Court?
Kieran Hayler faces three counts of , one count of , and four alternative counts of s*xual activity with a child.
How has Kieran Hayler responded to the allegations?
Hayler has pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining that no s*xual activity took place and suggesting that the allegations were fabricated as part of a campaign by his ex-wife.
Who is involved in the allegations?
The case involves allegations made by a complainant regarding incidents in West Suss*x in 2016, when she was 13 years old. She later reported the matter to the NSPCC in 2021.
What maximum sentences apply to these charges?
carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, carries up to 10 years, and s*xual activity with a child carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.
When did Kieran Hayler and Katie Price divorce?
Hayler and Price married in 2013, separated in 2018, and finalized their divorce in 2021.
