Story perspectives

Katie Price tells alleged rape victim, “I’ll make you a star”

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 3:20 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Katie Price Promises Star

Katie Price messaged the teenage alleged rape victim, saying “I will make you a star.”
Kieran Hayler faces three rape counts and one sexual-assault count at Lewes Crown Court for the 2016 incident.
Jurors heard Price ask the girl whether Hayler had kissed her and claim she would make her a star.
Hayler denies all charges and says Price launched a campaign against him after their 2018 split.

Summary

Judge Bars Online Research

Judge Mark Van Der Zwart warned jurors not to research Katie Price online during the trial.
Prosecutor Ryan Richter told the jury the couple’s breakup should not distract from the evidence.
The victim contacted the NSPCC in December 2021 when she was 18, prompting a police investigation.
Court officials listed Childline and NSPCC hotlines for abuse support as the victim testified behind a screen.

History

Historical Context

In 1995 the O.J. Simpson murder trial became the “trial of the century,” with Judge Lance Ito imposing strict limits on jurors’ media exposure amid unprecedented coverage that reached roughly 100 million viewers. The case showed how celebrity-driven publicity could bias juries, prompting later judges such as Lewes Crown Court’s Mark Van Der Zwart to warn jurors against online searches in the Katie Price trial.

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Katie Price Promises Star

Katie Price messaged the teenage alleged rape victim, saying “I will make you a star.”
Kieran Hayler faces three rape counts and one sexual-assault count at Lewes Crown Court for the 2016 incident.
Jurors heard Price ask the girl whether Hayler had kissed her and claim she would make her a star.
Hayler denies all charges and says Price launched a campaign against him after their 2018 split.

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