Katie Price's ex not guilty of raping girl, 13

Katie Price's ex-husband, Kieran Hayler, has been foundnot guiltyof raping a 13-year-old girl.

Hayler, 39, has been on trial accused of rape and sexual assault against the girl in West Sussex in 2016, when he was married to the media personality.

In total he was acquitted of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault at Lewes Crown Court.

Hayler had also faced four alternative counts of sexual activity with a child, for which he was also found not guilty.

In a statement outside court, Hayler thanked the jury, as well as his friends and family "who have stood by me for five years of absolute hell".

He added: "I would like to be left in peace now to rebuild my life and spend time with my family."

He had denied the allegations, telling the jury that he believed them to be fabricated.

Price and Hayler separated in 2018, and later divorced in 2021.

Hayler had told the court that Price had "launched a campaign" against him after their marriage broke down, and that the allegations formed part of it.

He told the trial that "trust had gone on both sides" of his marriage to Price by mid-2013, and he admitted affairs with three other women during their relationship.

Giving evidence, Price denied being "angry and vengeful" towards her ex-husband.

It can now be reported that Hayler's lawyers had applied for the jury to be discharged after Price's first day of evidence.

It was argued that some of Price's testimony had resulted in an "overwhelming tsunami of prejudice" and was a "premeditated attempt to bring down this trial".

Judge Mark van der Zwart dismissed the legal bid but warned the jury to disregard a portion of the testimony.

He described Price as "what barristers of a previous generation would have called a dangerous witness", with a personal agenda in proceedings, and who was "liable to say something prejudicial given half a chance".

The jury, made up of four men and six women, acquitted Hayler after 14 hours and 55 minutes of deliberations.

Hayler was emotional and bent over as he was discharged and told he could leave the dock.

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