Jurors deliberate in Kieran Hayler child sex offence trial

Jurors have begun their deliberations in the trial of Kieran Hayler at Lewes Crown Court. Hayler, 39, faces accusations of raping a 13-year-old girl and sexual assault involving the teenager in West Sussex in 2016. He also faces alternative charges related to sexual activity with a child.

Judge Mark van der Zwart instructed the jury, comprising six women and five men, to begin their deliberations on Tuesday afternoon. This follows closing speeches delivered on Monday by prosecutor Ryan Richter and defence barrister Arlette Piercy.

During his closing speech, prosecutor Ryan Richter urged the jury to focus on the complainant's testimony, stating, "You’ll decide whether those big voices drown out the voice of (the complainant) or whether that voice has made you sure on the counts of this indictment." He referred to "big personalities, the big egos in this case" that the jury must judge.

Defence barrister Arlette Piercy advised the jury to approach their task with care and rationality. She stated that Hayler had remained consistent throughout his defence, describing the trial process as a "roller coaster ride for everybody in this court." Piercy cautioned the jury, "emotion is enemy of reason."