False allegations: Should Katie Price be prosecuted for perversion of justice?

Katie Price

When the teenager initially replied that nothing happened and it was "just a flirt thing," Price followed up by saying, "I will make you a little star"’

The ex husband of model Katie Price - once known as Jordan - Kieran Hayler has been found not guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. Following a trial at Lewes Crown Court, a jury acquitted the 39-year-old of three counts of rape, one count of sexual assault, and four alternative counts of sexual activity with a child. The charges related to alleged incidents in West Sussex in 2016 while Hayler was married to Price.

The complainant, who is now 23, first went to the police and the NSPCC in December 2021. Hayler strongly maintained his innocence throughout the trial, telling the jury that the accusations were entirely fabricated. He claimed that the charges were part of a "smear campaign" orchestrated against him by Price following their 2018 separation and subsequent 2021 divorce.

Price gave evidence during the trial. She denied that her motivations were driven by anger or revenge, stating in court that she had previously tried to raise concerns but "no-one believed me". Hayler’s defence team countered by presenting phone messages, arguing that Price had been "coaching" the teenager and pushing her to make the claims. After 14 hours and 55 minutes of deliberations, the jury of four men and six women returned majority verdicts clearing Hayler of all eight charges.

Speaking outside Lewes Crown Court alongside his mother, Hayler thanked the jury, as well as friends and family who supported him through "five years of absolute hell". He stated that he now wishes to be left in peace to rebuild his life and spend time with his family.

The complainant did testify in the trial. Because the alleged offences were said to have taken place when she was a child, the complainant’s primary testimony was provided via a pre-recorded police video interview, which was played to the court. In the video shown to jurors, the complainant (who is now 23) wept as she detailed the alleged incidents. She explained that she had initially hidden the full extent of what happened from her mother because she "didn't want her to think I was disgusting" and worried she had "led him on."

During cross-examination regarding her allegations, the defence barrister highlighted inconsistencies in her testimony, pointing out that on more than thirty occasions that the complainant stated she did “not know" or could not remember specific details. The complainant's mother also gave evidence to the jury. She recalled her daughter telling her years prior that Hayler had confided in her, allegedly saying he "didn't have any friends and she could be his best friend."

Ultimately, the jury spent nearly fifteen hours deliberating before deciding that the prosecution had not proven the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt, resulting in Hayler's acquittal on all counts.

Legally, Katie Price was not the complainant, but the trial established that she played a highly influential role in bringing the allegations to light and shaping the case. While the formal legal trigger for the charges was the complainant going to the police and the NSPCC in 2021, the defence argued that the entire prosecution was a "smear campaign" orchestrated by Price following their divorce. When the teenager initially replied that nothing happened and it was "just a flirt thing," Price followed up by saying, "I will make you a little star."

Price’s involvement was said to be so disruptive that on her very first day of giving evidence, Hayler's defence team tried to have the jury discharged entirely, accusing her of a "premeditated attempt to bring down this trial." Price's personal involvement and clear animosity toward Hayler were considered such a liability to the case that the prosecution actively told the jury to ignore her.

In his closing speech, prosecutor Ryan Richter admitted to the jury: "The prosecution accept you’re likely to treat her evidence with caution. You may well put 90% of her evidence to one side, it’s irrelevant." He urged the jury to focus on the complainant's voice rather than the "big egos" and "posturing" surrounding the case.

Katie Price could theoretically face prosecution for perverting the course of justice or perjury, but it would require an active police investigation and a very high bar of evidence. No official charges or investigations have yet been announced against her following Hayler's acquittal. To bring this charge, authorities would need definitive evidence that Price knowingly and intentionally fabricated the allegations or deliberately induced/coagulated the witness into giving false evidence. If there was undeniable proof that Price knowingly made a materially false statement under oath while giving her evidence at Lewes Crown Court, she could face a perjury charge.

During proceedings, the judge described Price as a "dangerous witness" with a personal agenda, but being a biased or prejudicial witness is legally distinct from committing premeditated perjury. While Hayler's defence team heavily focused on Price's alleged motivations, any decision to actually investigate or prosecute her rests entirely with Sussex Police and the CPS.

The establishment is keen to prosecute high profile males, such as Russell Brand, Noel Clarke, Laurence Fox or the Tate brothers over sexual allegations. This is in order to send a message to the wider population about what has become “unacceptable in society”. There is now compelling reason to believe Katie Price perverted the course of justice in pursuing charges against her ex husband. Is Price the “wrong” kind of high profile figure, or would perversion be the “wrong” kind of charge?

By Sean Bw Parker

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