Katie Price’s former husband found not guilty of eight charges after jury deliberates for almost 15 hours
Kieran Hayler, the former husband of television personality Katie Price, has been found not guilty of all charges following a high-profile trial at Lewes Crown Court.
The 39-year-old was acquitted of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving allegations dating back to 2016, when the complainant was 13 years old.
He was also cleared of four alternative charges of sexual activity with a child.
The jury returned its not-guilty verdicts after deliberating for 14 hours and 55 minutes.
Hayler, who had consistently denied all wrongdoing, reportedly broke down in tears as the verdicts were delivered.
Hayler Maintained Innocence Throughout Trial
The allegations related to incidents said to have taken place in West Sussex between June and October 2016, while Hayler was married to Katie Price.
Throughout the proceedings, Hayler denied that any sexual activity had taken place between himself and the complainant.
During his evidence, he suggested that the allegations formed part of a campaign against him involving his former wife, claims aired and challenged during the trial.
The jury’s verdicts mean that Hayler has been acquitted of all eight charges considered during the proceedings.
Katie Price Gave Evidence at Lewes Crown Court
Price appeared as a witness during the trial, giving evidence over three days.
Her testimony included heated exchanges with Hayler’s defence barrister, Arlette Piercy, during which Judge Mark van der Zwart intervened and instructed Price to stop speaking.
The proceedings also examined the breakdown of Price and Hayler’s relationship, alongside the circumstances in which the allegations first emerged.
The complainant initially contacted the NSPCC in 2021, after which the matter was referred to police.
Hayler and Price married in 2013, separated in 2018 and formally divorced in 2021.
Not Guilty on Every Count
The case concluded at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday, 22 October 2026, with Hayler cleared of all charges.
The verdict brings the criminal proceedings to an end without any conviction against him in relation to the allegations.
UKNIP will update this report if further information becomes available.
