Katie Price's ex told girl to 'take it to the grave', trial hears

Katie Price's ex told girl to 'take it to the grave', trial hears

A court at Lewes Crown is currently hearing the case of Kieran Hayler, aged 39, who faces charges including three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, all alleged to have occurred in West Sussex in 2016. Hayler, notably the former husband of media figure Katie Price, denies all accusations brought against him.

During the trial, jurors were shown a police interview with the complainant, who was just 13 years old when the alleged offenses took place. She described the confusion and shame she felt, explaining that she initially lied to her mother about the events because she “didn’t want her to think I was disgusting.” The teenager revealed that for a long time she blamed herself and was reluctant to disclose the full details, fearing that she might have “led him on.” She further recalled that years after the alleged incidents, Hayler contacted her, warning her to “take it to the grave” and implying that revealing what happened could lead to trouble for her.

The complainant vividly expressed how she struggled with her emotions following the assaults. She initially believed Hayler “really cared about me” and that what happened was “a good thing” due to how he framed the acts. The trauma she endured manifested in compulsive behavior, as she recounted taking “four showers a day,” with her mother noting her frequent washing and changing of underwear several times daily. She also questioned the appropriateness of what occurred, remembering crying and wondering if the events were right.

Evidence has included the complainant’s testimony behind a screen in court. She described personal interactions with Hayler, including messages where he said, “I love you, goodnight,” to which she replied, “I love you too.” The case came to light in 2021 after the complainant reached out to the NSPCC, which referred her to the police, triggering the current investigation. Hayler denied all allegations when first interviewed by police in January 2022. It was noted in court that Hayler and Price were married during the time the offenses allegedly took place, although they separated in 2018 and finalized their divorce in 2021. Hayler claims Price orchestrated a campaign against him following their split. The trial is ongoing, with Price expected to give evidence in the proceedings

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