Kieran Hayler cleared of raping girl after trial at Lewes Crown Court

Kieran Hayler has been found not guilty of raping a 13-year-old girl following a trial at Lewes Crown Court, BBC News, LBC, Metro.co.uk, AOL.com, and The Sun reported on October 22, 2026. The 39-year-old was acquitted of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. BBC News reported that Hayler was also found not guilty on four alternative counts of sexual activity with a child. [1][2][3][4][5][6]

The alleged offences were said to have occurred in West Sussex in 2016 while Hayler was married to English media personality Katie Price. BBC News reported that Hayler denied all allegations during the trial, telling the jury that he believed the claims were fabricated. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Hayler previously told the jury that allegations were created after the breakdown of his marriage, accusing Price of coaching the alleged victim. [1][7][9][10]

Katie Price gained recognition in the late 1990s as a glamour model before working as a businesswoman. She was married to Hayler, a former builder, from 2013 to 2021. BBC News noted that the couple separated in 2018 before their divorce was finalized in 2021. [1][7][8][9][10]