Katie Price's Ex-Husband Kieran Hayler Charged with Rape and Sexual Assault—What Happened in 2016
Legal Notice
The following is a news report on a live UK criminal case. The subject, Kieran Hayler, is legally presumed innocent until proven guilty. Due to strict UK law (Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992), media are legally prohibited from publishing any information that could identify the alleged victim.
Katie Price pictured with her children Jett and Bunny at a London event. The former glamour model shares both children with ex-husband Kieran Hayler.
Explosive Charges Rock the UK Celebrity Scene
Former partner of media personality Katie Price, Kieran Hayler, has been formally charged with multiple serious sexual offences following an investigation by Sussex Police.
The gravity of the situation is clear: Hayler faces three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The alleged victim was a girl who was 13 years old at the time the offences are purported to have occurred, between June and October 2016. This timeframe places the alleged actions squarely during Hayler's marriage to Price.
Sussex Police confirmed the charges, adding that the alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has received support from specially trained officers. Authorities also clarified that the alleged victim is not related to either Hayler or Katie Price.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "We can confirm Kieran Hayler, 38, of Northchapel in West Sussex, has been charged with three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against a 13-year-old girl.
"The offences are alleged to have occurred at an address in West Sussex between June 1 and October 13, 2016.”
The force added: “Hayler remains released under investigation and is due to appear before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on November 19.
Hayler’s Response and Court Date
Kieran Hayler, 38, has issued a definitive denial of the charges through his legal team. His representative stated that Hayler "strongly denies the allegations... in their entirety" and has cooperated fully with the police investigation.
Hayler is currently released under investigation and is due to appear at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on November 19. Given the seriousness of the charges, the case is expected to be immediately sent to the Crown Court for trial by jury.
Katie Price’s representatives have declined to comment on the situation involving her ex-husband. The couple, who share two children (Jett and Bunny), were married from 2013 until their divorce was finalised in 2021.
UK Legal Context: Rape and Sentencing
The maximum sentence for a conviction of rape in England and Wales is life imprisonment. The case is governed by the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Under UK law, the presumption of innocence is a central tenet of the criminal justice system. Due to Contempt of Court restrictions, media are severely limited in what they can report during ongoing legal proceedings to ensure a fair trial. Any factor deemed an abuse of trust or involving the vulnerability of a child is treated as a highly significant aggravating factor in sentencing, should a conviction occur.
What to Expect Next
The legal process will be protracted. Following the Magistrates' Court hearing, the trial will proceed to the Crown Court. Until proceedings conclude, reporting will remain strictly constrained to confirmed facts released by the police or the court. Media outlets and the public must refrain from any comment or speculation that could prejudice the case or lead to the identification of the alleged victim.
