Judge Calls Katie Price a 'Dangerous Witness' With 'Personal Agenda' as Ex Kieran Hayler Is Cleared of Rape

A judge criticised Katie Price's conduct as a witness after her former husband, Kieran Hayler, was acquitted of rape and sexual assault charges at Lewes Crown Court.

Hayler, 39, was found not guilty of three counts of rape, one count of sexual assault and four alternative counts of sexual activity with a child. The charges related to allegations concerning a girl who was 13 at the time of the alleged incidents in West Sussex in 2016, when Hayler was married to Price.

Judge Mark van der Zwart made the comments after the defence unsuccessfully applied to have the jury discharged following Price's evidence. He warned jurors to disregard an inappropriate remark and said discharging the jury was unlikely to prevent similar problems at a retrial.

Judge Criticises Price's Evidence

Defence barrister Arlette Piercy argued that Price's testimony had created an 'overwhelming tsunami of prejudice'. She also accused the witness of making a 'premeditated attempt to bring down this trial'. These were submissions made by the defence, not findings that Price had deliberately fabricated the allegations.

Prosecutor Ryan Richter disputed the defence application, suggesting Price had lost control during her evidence.

In his ruling, Judge van der Zwart described Price as what barristers of a previous generation would have called a 'dangerous witness'. He said she had a personal agenda in the proceedings and was 'liable to say something prejudicial given half a chance'.

The judge criticised her failure to follow directions to answer the questions put to her and warned jurors that an inappropriate statement was not correct and must be disregarded. His comments concerned the risk of prejudice during the trial.

Price denied being angry and vengeful towards Hayler. During her evidence, she said she was shocked by the allegations against her former husband.

Hayler Disputes Alleged Smear Campaign

Hayler became emotional after the verdicts were delivered and was told he could leave the dock. Speaking outside court alongside his mother, Wendy Hayler, he thanked family and friends for supporting him through what he described as 'five years of absolute hell'.

He said he was grateful to the jury and wanted to rebuild his life and spend time with his family.

During the trial, Hayler denied the charges and claimed the allegations formed part of a smear campaign by Price following the breakdown of their relationship. The couple separated in 2018 and divorced in 2021. Price denied seeking revenge against him.

The jury's verdicts mean Hayler was acquitted of all eight charges. The outcome does not establish that the complainant fabricated the allegations, and the judge's criticism of Price should not be interpreted as a finding that she caused the acquittal.

Police To Consider Next Steps

Sussex Police said following the verdicts that officers would consult the complainant, witnesses and partner agencies before deciding what action, if any, should follow.

The criminal trial has concluded with Hayler acquitted of all charges. The judge's remarks concerned Price's conduct while giving evidence and the potential for prejudicial material to affect proceedings. They did not amount to a finding that the allegations were fabricated.