Katie Price's Ex-Husband Told Teenager to 'Take It to the Grave,' Rape Trial Hears

Kieran Hayler, the former husband of media personality Katie Price, allegedly instructed a teenage girl to keep their encounters secret and "take it to the grave," a jury at Lewes Crown Court has heard. The 39-year-old is standing trial accused of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, all alleged to have occurred in West Sussex in 2016. He denies every charge against him.

The complainant, who was 13 years old at the time of the alleged offences, gave her account during a police interview that was played to jurors. She became visibly emotional as she described the events and her subsequent struggle to come to terms with what she says happened to her. The court heard she initially concealed the full extent of the allegations from her mother, telling her only that Hayler had touched her, because she was afraid of how her mother might react.

In the recorded interview, the woman explained that she withheld information because she "didn't want her to think I was disgusting." She also told officers that she spent a long period believing the incidents were her own fault, saying, "I thought it was my fault for ages." Her fear of being judged extended to concerns that her mother might conclude she had "led him on," which prevented her from disclosing that the contact had involved sex.

The court heard that Hayler allegedly contacted the complainant by telephone approximately two or three years after the incidents are said to have taken place. During that call, she claims he asked her to promise not to tell anyone and described what had happened between them as "special." According to her account, he warned her that she should "take it to the grave" and suggested that speaking out could get her into trouble or end badly for her. She told police, however, that she did not feel frightened of him at the time.

The complainant also described how Hayler characterised the alleged abuse in a way that made her believe it was a positive experience. She told officers that she thought he "really cares about me so he's not doing something horrible," adding that because of the way he described it, he presented it as "a good thing." This manipulation, she suggested, contributed to her confusion about whether what was happening was wrong.

The psychological toll of the alleged offences was laid bare in her police interview. She recalled taking as many as four showers a day in the aftermath and described a compulsive need to wash. Her mother, she said, remembered her "always washing" and changing her underwear several times each day. The complainant also recalled moments of doubt, thinking that Hayler was much older than her and questioning whether his behaviour was appropriate. She remembered crying and wondering whether it should have been happening at all.

After the video of the police interview was played, the alleged victim gave evidence in person from behind a screen, a measure commonly used in sensitive trials to protect complainants. During this live testimony, she was asked whether she recalled anything further. Speaking about the third alleged incident, she told the court that Hayler had sent her a message saying, "I love you, goodnight," to which she replied, "I love you too."

The allegations only came to the attention of authorities in 2021, when the complainant contacted the NSPCC. The charity referred her to police, which prompted an investigation. Hayler was first interviewed by officers in January 2022, at which point he denied that any of the allegations took place and insisted that nothing sexual had occurred between him and the complainant. He has maintained that position throughout the proceedings.

At the time of the alleged offences, Hayler was married to Katie Price, a well-known British media personality and former model. The couple's relationship broke down in 2018, and their divorce was finalised in 2021. The court heard that Hayler has suggested his ex-wife "launched a campaign" against him when their marriage ended, and that the allegations form part of that campaign. The alleged victim is not part of either Hayler's or Price's extended families.

Price is expected to appear as a witness during the trial, which is anticipated to last approximately one week. Her testimony could prove significant, given the defence's suggestion that the allegations are connected to the breakdown of the marriage. The prosecution, meanwhile, will seek to establish that the complainant's account is credible and consistent, supported by the evidence gathered during the police investigation.

The case is being heard at Lewes Crown Court in East Sussex, a venue that handles some of the most serious criminal matters in the region. Rape and sexual assault charges carry severe penalties upon conviction, reflecting the gravity with which the justice system treats such offences. The trial continues, with the jury expected to weigh the evidence carefully before reaching a verdict.

Legal experts note that cases involving historic allegations of child sexual abuse often hinge on the reliability of memory and the availability of corroborating evidence. Prosecutors in England and Wales have, in recent years, sought to improve the handling of such cases, recognising that victims frequently delay reporting due to shame, fear, or manipulation by the accused. The use of screens and pre-recorded interviews is designed to reduce the trauma of giving evidence in open court.

Throughout the proceedings, Hayler has denied all charges and has suggested that his former wife's alleged campaign against him underpins the accusations. The burden of proof rests with the prosecution, which must convince the jury beyond reasonable doubt. The trial is expected to continue in the coming days, with further witnesses due to give evidence before the case is handed to the jury for deliberation.