Katie Price’s ex-husband, Kieran Hayler, has pleaded not guilty to allegedly raping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.
Hayler, 38, appeared at Lewes Crown Court today after being charged with three counts of rape and one of sexually assaulting the child.
The offences – all of which Hayler has denied – are alleged to have occurred in West Sussex between June 1 and October 13, 2016.
Hayler appeared at the hearing dressed in a black suit, grey tie, and a heavy blue overcoat.
He remains on conditional bail until his next court appearance on April 23, and the trial, which is scheduled to last nine days, is set to begin on October 6, 2026.
Last month, police announced they’d charged Hayler – who is best known for being married to the former glamour model and TV personality Katie Price, 47 – with the alleged offences.
At the time, a Sussex Police spokesperson confirmed Hayler had been charged with the alleged offences, which are said to have taken place while he was still married to Price.
‘The offences are alleged to have occurred at an address in West Sussex between June 1 and October 13, 2016. Hayler remains released under investigation and is due to appear before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on November 19,’ they said, as reported by The Sun.
‘The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has received support from specially trained officers as our enquiries continue.’
The alleged victim is not a member of Hayler’s or Price’s extended families.
After the charges were announced, Hayler’s lawyers told the Daily Mail that he ‘strongly denies the allegations made against him in their entirety’.
‘Mr Hayler is fully engaged and has been co-operating with the police throughout the investigation and will continue to do so. He looks forward to his name being cleared, believing in the judicial system to do so.’
It is expected Price will appear in court to give evidence, with a Crown Prosecution Service source telling The Sun: ‘Katie may well be called to court to give evidence. She was married to Kieran when these offences are said to have happened; it wouldn’t be surprising for her to be called up.
‘Family and friends are being made aware they may be asked to speak out and stand up in a court of law if necessary. It is all part of the judicial process — an imperative that the truth is heard.’
Although she has not released a statement on her ex-husband’s charges, Price appeared to allude to them during a recent show.
Appearing at the Clapham Grand in London for An Evening With Katie Price & Kerry Katona, she touched on how her early traumatic encounters with men had impacted her adult relationships.
‘What I’ve gone through, and – how do I word it – current news, I had a real reason to be wary of things because it’s closer to home than you realise. I can’t say anymore on it, but I’m sure you know what I’m getting to,’ she said.
Hayler, a personal trainer and former stripper, was married to Price from 2013 until they split in 2018. The pair share two children together.
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