Kieran Hayler faces multiple child rape charges dating back to 2016, police have confirmed
Kieran Hayler, the former husband of model and television personality Katie Price, has been charged with the rape of a 13-year-old girl, Sussex Police have confirmed.
The 38-year-old, from Northchapel in West Sussex, faces three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault following an investigation into allegations dating back to 2016.
Police said the offences are alleged to have taken place at a property in West Sussex, and that the alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is not related to Hayler or to Ms Price’s extended family.
A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “A man has been charged with three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against a 13-year-old girl. The victim has been receiving support from specially trained officers as inquiries continue.”
Hayler, who is due to appear before Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 19 November, has been released under investigation until that date. The force added that the investigation remains active and that the alleged victim continues to receive ongoing support.
The case has sent shockwaves through both the entertainment industry and the public, given Hayler’s high-profile relationship with Price, one of the UK’s most recognisable media figures.
Hayler married Katie Price in a lavish ceremony in the Bahamas in 2013, after a whirlwind romance. The pair shared two children during their marriage and often appeared together on reality television and in tabloid headlines. However, the relationship was marred by allegations of infidelity and ended in a turbulent divorce.
In 2014, Price announced their separation on social media following reports of Hayler’s alleged affair, though their relationship reportedly continued on and off in the years that followed. They eventually finalised their divorce after a long and public split.
Neither Hayler nor Price has made a public statement since the charges were announced.
A close source told the BBC that the alleged offences do not involve anyone from Hayler’s or Price’s family circle and that the complainant has been under the care of police and specialist support teams throughout the investigation.
Hayler, a former stripper and television personality, became a household name following his marriage to Price, appearing on several reality television programmes and in tabloid interviews discussing their tumultuous relationship.
Legal experts note that, due to the nature of the charges, the case will likely be sent to Crown Court after the initial magistrates’ hearing, where Hayler will be formally asked to enter pleas to each of the counts.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed it had authorised the charges following an extensive review of the evidence provided by Sussex Police. A CPS spokesperson said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges against a man in connection with allegations of rape and sexual assault. As criminal proceedings are now active, it is extremely important that there is no reporting or online speculation that could prejudice the case.”
Hayler has not yet entered any plea.
Under UK law, individuals accused of sexual offences are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in court.
The allegations date back nearly a decade, and investigators are understood to have spent several months gathering forensic and witness evidence before proceeding with formal charges.
Police have urged anyone with information relevant to the case to come forward in confidence, emphasising that the priority remains the welfare of the alleged victim.
Hayler is scheduled to appear in person at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 19 November, when the case will be formally presented and potentially transferred to Lewes Crown Court for trial.