Kieran Hayler, the former husband of television personality Katie Price, appeared in court on Tuesday to deny charges of child rape and sexual assault involving a 13-year-old girl. During his trial, the 39-year-old ex-stripper testified about his relationships with older women and discussed multiple extramarital affairs that took place while he was married to Price.
Hayler faces allegations of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to an incident in West Sussex in 2016. In addition to these charges, the judge has introduced four alternative counts of sexual activity with a child, allowing the jury to consider lesser offences if they find him not guilty of the original charges.
Under questioning from his barrister, Arlette Piercy, Hayler acknowledged having affairs with three women during his marriage to Price, including the family’s former nanny, Nikki Brown. He described Brown as being older than Price at the time. When asked about his attraction to women, Hayler stated, “I am attracted to older women,” citing his ex-fiancée Michelle Pentecost, as well as two other women—Jane, 16 years his senior, and Chrissy, two years older than Price—whom he identified only by their first names. He has previously admitted to relationships with Jane Pountney and Chrissy Thomas, both friends of Price.
During his testimony, Hayler accused Price of coaching the alleged victim, claiming he found text messages between Price and the teenager on Price’s phone. He explained that he accessed the phone using Price’s fingerprint to investigate what he believed was her involvement in an affair and said his intention was to uncover information related to allegations Price had made against him.
Hayler denies all charges against him. The alleged victim is not connected to him or Price’s extended family. The trial is ongoing.
