Kieran Hayler cleared of rape and sexual assault charges

Kieran Hayler has been acquitted of charges of raping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in West Sussex in 2016. A jury at Lewes Crown Court found the 39-year-old not guilty of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault following a trial.

Mr Hayler was also cleared of four alternative charges relating to sexual activity with a child. The verdicts were returned after the jury deliberated for 14 hours and 55 minutes.

Allegations and Defence

During the trial, Mr Hayler's defence team suggested the charges were part of a "smear campaign" orchestrated by his ex-wife, Katie Price. Ms Price gave evidence during the proceedings and denied being "angry and vengeful" towards Mr Hayler.

The defence made an application to discharge the jury, arguing that evidence provided by Ms Price created an "overwhelming tsunami of prejudice". Barrister Arlette Piercy stated that Ms Price's testimony was a "deliberate, malicious and in my submission, premeditated attempt to bring down this trial."

Prosecutor Ryan Richter disputed this, suggesting the celebrity witness had "lost control". Judge Mark van der Zwart dismissed the application and later warned the jury that some of Ms Price's statements were "not correct and you must disregard it."

In his ruling, the judge described Ms Price as a "dangerous witness" with a personal agenda who was "liable to say something prejudicial given half a chance". He noted that discharging the jury was unlikely to prevent similar issues arising in a retrial.

Following the verdicts, Mr Hayler, supported by his mother, expressed gratitude to the jury for their careful consideration. He thanked his friends and family for their support during what he described as "five years of absolute hell" and stated his desire to be left in peace to rebuild his life and spend time with his family.

Mr Hayler also thanked his legal team for their "unwavering assistance throughout this extremely difficult time".