Kieran Hayler has claimed his ex-wife Katie Price tried to set him up after he was found not guilty of three counts of rape, one count of sexual assault and four alternative charges of sexual activity with a child at Lewes Crown Court.
The former stripper broke down in tears as the jury delivered its verdicts following 14 hours and 55 minutes of deliberations. He later said he wanted to rebuild his life after what he described as five years of 'absolute hell'.
Hayler maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings and alleged that the case was connected to his troubled relationship with Price. His allegations about his former wife were not established as facts by the verdict.
Hayler Claims Katie Price Tried To Set Him Up
During police questioning, Hayler alleged that Price had influenced the complainant and suggested that the accusations were part of a campaign against him. He told officers: 'It's like a smear campaign to ruin me'. He added: 'For this to come completely out of the blue I feel like somebody here is trying to set me up'.
Hayler also told police: 'I feel she's planted a seed to (the complainant)'. He alleged that Price put pressure on people and resented having nothing against him, but these claims were not established as facts by the court.
The complainant, now 23, reportedly contacted the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in 2021, and the organisation referred the matter to police. The prosecution concerned alleged incidents in West Sussex between June and October 2016, when Hayler was still married to Price.
Following the verdict, Hayler thanked his friends, family and the jury for their support and consideration of the case.
'I'd like to thank my friends and family who stuck by me for five years of absolute hell. I'm grateful to the jury for their careful consideration of this difficult case', he said.
He also thanked his legal team and asked for privacy as he looked to move forward with his life. 'I'd like to be left in peace now to rebuild my life and spend time with my family', he added.
Katie Price's Heated Courtroom Clash With Barrister
Price gave evidence over three days and denied being angry or vengeful towards Hayler. Her testimony became increasingly confrontational during cross-examination by his barrister, Arlette Piercy.
When Piercy challenged her evidence, Price asked: 'Are you calling me a liar?' The barrister replied: 'I am'. Price then said: 'I don't need to be here. You can see in black and white something's gone on. I won't have anybody call me a liar'.
She also branded Hayler a 'wrong'un' and insisted that the case should focus on the allegations involving the child. Judge Mark van der Zwart intervened repeatedly during the exchanges, telling Price to stop talking and urging her to take a moment.
Hayler's defence team subsequently argued that Price's testimony had unfairly prejudiced the jury against him. Piercy described the alleged conduct as a 'premeditated attempt to bring down this trial', while prosecutor Ryan Richter disputed the defence's argument.
The judge rejected the application to discharge the jury and later warned jurors that a comment made by Price was 'not correct and you must disregard it'. He also described her as what barristers of a previous generation would have called a 'dangerous witness', citing concerns about her conduct during the proceedings and the potential for prejudicial comments. Judge van der Zwart added that discharging the jury was unlikely to prevent similar problems arising in a retrial.
Hayler married Price at a luxury resort in the Bahamas in 2013, and the couple separated in 2018. They later divorced in 2021.
