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Kieran Hayler Acquitted of Rape After Jury Finds Not Guilty
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Acquittal at Lewes Crown Court
On October 22, a jury at Lewes Crown Court returned not-guilty verdicts for Kieran Hayler, 39, on all charges relating to the alleged rape and sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl in West Sussex in 2016. The jury, composed of four men and six women, deliberated for 14 hours 55 minutes before reaching its decision. Hayler was cleared of three counts of rape, one count of sexual assault, and four alternative counts of sexual activity with a child.
Background to the 2016 Allegations
The accusations stemmed from an alleged incident that occurred while Hayler was married to media personality Katie Price. The couple married in January 2013, separated in 2018 and divorced in 2021. Throughout the trial, both parties referenced their turbulent, co-dependent relationship, which included mutual infidelity, substance-abuse issues and extensive media scrutiny.
Trial Proceedings and Key Testimony
Price testified as a witness for the prosecution. During cross-examination, she disclosed a text message she had sent to the teenage girl when the girl was 14, claiming she had heard that Hayler and the girl had kissed and that he had “tried it on” with her.
Hayler’s defence barrister, Arlette Piercy, argued that Price’s evidence generated an “overwhelming tsunami of prejudice” that the defence could not manage.
Prosecutor Ryan Richter countered, suggesting the remarks reflected a loss of control by the celebrity witness rather than an intentional sabotage of the proceedings.
Judge Mark van der Zwart warned the jury to disregard Price’s statements that were “not correct.” He added that discharging the jury was unlikely to prevent a similar situation in a potential retrial.
Verdict and Reactions
Following the verdict, Hayler addressed the court and media, thanking the jury, his friends and family for standing by him during “five years of absolute hell.”
The judge’s comments on Price’s conduct underscored the contentious nature of her testimony, but the jury’s unanimous decision cleared Hayler of all charges. No further criminal proceedings have been announced.
What Comes Next
With the acquittal finalized, no additional criminal actions against Hayler are indicated. The court’s remarks suggest that any future proceedings involving Price as a witness would be closely scrutinized for potential prejudice.