Kieran Hayler, the former husband of reality TV star Katie Price, has been acquitted of multiple sexual abuse charges involving a 13-year-old girl. The verdict was delivered on October 22, 2026, at Lewes Crown Court, where Hayler faced three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault stemming from alleged incidents in West Sussex in 2016.

Following nearly 15 hours of jury deliberation, Hayler, 39, was cleared of all charges, including four alternative counts of sexual activity with a child. His emotional release from the courtroom was captured as he wept upon hearing the not guilty verdict.

The trial revealed the tumultuous nature of Hayler's relationship with Price, whom he was married to from 2012 until their separation in 2021. During the proceedings, Hayler claimed that the allegations against him were part of a fabricated smear campaign orchestrated by Price. He stated, "The timing is almost identical. Every time something was going bad for her, a bad news story or something to do with me, there would be a threat to do with me and this."

Katie Price's testimony was described by Judge Mark van der Zwart as that of a 'dangerous witness' with a personal agenda. The court heard that Hayler accused Price of attempting to coach the alleged victim after discovering messages on her phone that suggested she was trying to manipulate the situation. In one message, Price allegedly told the teenager that she would make her "a little star," which Hayler found suspicious.

The couple's relationship had reportedly deteriorated by mid-2013, with both parties admitting to infidelity. Hayler acknowledged having affairs during their marriage, while also claiming that Price had been unfaithful. The court was informed that Hayler discovered the concerning messages in 2017 while searching Price's phone for evidence of her alleged affairs.

In her closing argument, prosecutor Ryan Richter urged the jury to focus on the evidence presented, while Hayler's defense barrister, Arlette Piercy, emphasized his consistent and clear defense throughout the trial. The jury ultimately sided with Hayler, leading to his acquittal.

The case has attracted significant media attention, not only due to the serious nature of the allegations but also because of the high-profile backgrounds of both Hayler and Price. As the trial concluded, Hayler expressed relief at the verdict, while the fallout from the case continues to unfold in the public eye.