Featured image: A white police referral form is lying on a beige surface. AI-generated image; not a photograph of the reported event.
Katie Price has said she has no personal anger or resentment toward her ex-husband, Kieran Hayler, during his rape trial. Source: bbc.co.uk.
What Happened in Court
At Lewes Crown Court in October 2026, Price testified about her public statements regarding Hayler.
She was questioned by defence lawyer Arlette Piercy about whether her remarks showed personal hostility or were just part of her media work.
Kieran Hayler is on trial for three counts of rape and one of sexual assault against a 13-year-old girl in West Sussex in 2016. All charges are denied.
Price and Hayler were married at the time. They divorced in 2021.
On Her Messages to the Alleged Victim
Messages between Price and the girl—then 14—were shown in court.
Price wrote: ‘I heard Hayler and you kiss. He tried it on with you. I’m only asking as this is a serious allegation.’
The girl replied: ‘It was just a flirt thing. Nothing happened.’
Price later used the phrase ‘little star’ to describe the girl. She said it was a figure of speech, not a personal reference.
Defence Challenges Her Statements
Arlette Piercy asked if Price felt ‘angry and vengeful’ toward Hayler.
She questioned whether Price had built a long-term vendetta against him.
Price denied these claims. She said: ‘That is not true.’
Her Explanation for Public Comments
Price said her remarks were driven by her career.
She said: ‘It’s TV, it’s what I say. It’s what drives me in my work.’
She added that when she used the term ‘little star,’ she meant innocence, not emotion.
Background of the Case
The girl first contacted the NSPCC in 2021.
That led to a police referral and an official investigation.
The girl is not related to Hayler or Price by family.
The case is being examined independently of any family ties.
Hayler’s Claim About Price
Hayler has claimed Price launched a public campaign against him after the divorce.
No evidence has been presented in court to support this claim.
Why This Matters
The trial is about legal facts, not media narratives.
Price’s statements highlight the gap between public performance and personal emotion.
Media figures face pressure to present dramatic stories, even when personal relationships are involved.
What the Court Focuses On
There is no proof Price had a personal relationship with the girl.
Her messages were limited and occurred in a social context.
The court relies on verified evidence—like reports and timelines—not on public statements.
What to Watch Next
The trial continues.
Hayler’s guilt or innocence will be decided by evidence, not by media comments.
Public opinion may be shaped by Price’s testimony, but it does not prove guilt or innocence.
For more on this case, see the original BBC report.
Related topics include UK Trend and the intersection of media, personal relationships, and legal accountability.
