Kieran Hayler, the former husband of Katie Price, faced a packed courtroom in Crawley after being charged with raping a 13-year-old girl at a West Sussex home in 2016.
The 38-year-old is accused of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, launching a criminal case that immediately escalated due to the seriousness of the allegations and Hayler’s high public profile.
Magistrates confirmed his age, charges, and bail conditions during a brief hearing before sending the case to Lewes Crown Court, where he is set to return on December 17 for a plea.
Police say the complainant is not connected to Hayler or Katie Price. Hayler denies all allegations.
Who Is Involved and Where the Case Currently Stands
Kieran Hayler, known for his television appearances and public profile during his marriage to Katie Price, became the focus of a formal police investigation after a report was made to Sussex authorities.
Detectives reviewed the allegation, concerning events said to have taken place nearly a decade ago, before presenting material to prosecutors, who authorised charges once they were satisfied the legal threshold had been met.
Because child-protection laws prevent the release of sensitive information, only limited details have been made public. Authorities have confirmed, however, that the complainant is not connected to either Hayler’s or Price’s family.
The charges Hayler faces are indictable-only offences, meaning magistrates had no discretion and were required to send the matter straight to the Crown Court.
His next appearance will be a plea hearing, where he must formally confirm how he intends to respond to the allegations. Until that date, he remains on bail under strict conditions preventing any contact with the alleged victim and prohibiting interference with the ongoing investigation.
The combination of a serious allegation involving a child and the involvement of a well-known public figure has given this case considerable public visibility.
Criminal proceedings of this type often draw attention because they involve long-term consequences, strict legal protections for minors, and a high bar of evidence that must be met before a trial can proceed.
👉 Katie Price's Ex-Husband Kieran Hayler Charged with Rape and Sexual Assault—What Happened in 2016? 👈
How the Legal Process Works in Cases of This Nature
Rape involving a complainant under 16 is treated as a particularly serious offence in England and Wales.
The prosecution must prove that sexual activity occurred and that the complainant was below the legal age of consent at the time.
Because a child under 16 cannot lawfully consent, the legal question centers on whether the acts alleged took place, rather than the issue of consent itself.
These cases typically rely on a combination of witness accounts, forensic evidence where available, and any supporting material recovered during the investigation.
Given the age of the complainant, courts apply strict reporting restrictions to protect their identity and welfare throughout the proceedings.
Why These Cases Are Sent to the Crown Court
Rape is classified as an indictable-only offence. This means magistrates do not have jurisdiction to try the case and must send it directly to the Crown Court for all further hearings.
At the Crown Court, a judge oversees the legal process while a jury determines guilt based on the evidence presented.
The Crown Court setting also provides access to the higher sentencing powers required for offences of this severity.
How Bail Decisions Are Made in Serious Sexual Offence Cases
When determining bail, the court must balance the presumption in favour of release against the risks posed by the defendant.
This includes assessing whether the defendant might contact the complainant, interfere with witnesses, or obstruct the investigation.
In cases involving minors, bail conditions frequently include prohibiting any form of communication with the complainant, restrictions on travel or movement, and other measures designed to protect the integrity of the process.
Breaching these conditions is itself a criminal offence.
What Happens After the Plea Hearing
At the plea hearing, the defendant formally confirms whether they intend to contest the charges. If not guilty pleas are entered, the court issues a procedural timetable.
This typically includes deadlines for the prosecution to disclose evidence, for the defence to submit its case materials, and for any expert reports or applications related to admissibility.
A trial date is then set, usually several months ahead, to allow both sides time to prepare. If a guilty plea is entered at any stage, the court proceeds to sentencing, guided by statutory provisions and the Sentencing Council’s guidelines for rape and serious sexual offences.
How the Case Will Now Progress Through the Court System
The upcoming plea hearing in December will set the formal direction of the proceedings. At that hearing, Kieran Hayler must indicate whether he intends to contest the charges. His response determines the procedural path the case will follow.
If not guilty pleas are entered, the Crown Court will issue a structured timetable covering evidence disclosure, witness availability, and any legal applications the parties plan to raise.
This scheduling phase is an essential part of managing serious sexual offence cases, ensuring that both the prosecution and defence have clear deadlines for preparing their material.
Should the matter progress to a full trial, the court will then move into jury selection and the organisation of the evidential hearings. Trials of this nature often involve careful coordination due to reporting restrictions and the need to safeguard the complainant’s welfare throughout the process.
Further updates are expected from the court as procedural milestones are reached and as both sides continue preparing for the next stage of the criminal proceedings.
