Hayler pleaded not guilty(Image: EDDIE MITCHELL.)

Kieran Hayler leaves court after pleading not guilty to raping 13-year-old girl

Kieran Hayler, 38, is charged with three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against a 13-year-old girl. Today, he has appeared at Lewes Crown Court for a plea hearing

by · The Mirror

Katie Price’s ex-husband has left court after pleading not guilty to accusations of raping a 13-year-old girl. Kieran Hayler appeared at Lewes Crown Court for a plea hearing today.

The 38-year-old, who was wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt and grey tie, formally denied three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against the youngster during a short hearing at Lewes Crown Court today.

Hayler spoke to give his pleas from the dock. He heard he will now stand trial at the same court in a case due to begin on October 6 next year.

He will stand trial next year( Image: EDDIE MITCHELL.)

His Honour Judge Stephen Mooney told him: "You will be released on bail. You will have to provide a defence statement. If you fail to attend your trial there is a prospect it could be heard in your absence."

Hayler, 38, is charged with three counts of rape and one of sexual assault, with the alleged offences reported to have taken place in 2016.

The trial is expected to last around a week. A pre-trial hearing is due to be held on April 23.

He will stand trial next year( Image: EDDIE MITCHELL.)

Hayler was charged with the alleged offences by Surrey Police in October before being released on bail.

Hayler is accused of committing the attacks between June and October 2016. Speaking in October, a legal representative denied the allegations on Hayler's behalf. They said: “Kieran Hayler strongly denies the allegations made against him in its entirety.

"Mr Hayler is fully engaged and has been cooperating with the police throughout the investigation and will continue to do so. He looks forward to his name being cleared believing in the judicial system to do so."

In October, Sussex Police said in a statement: "We can confim Kieran Hayler, 38, of Northchapel in West Sussex has been charged with three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against a 13-year-old girl.

"The offences are alleged to have occurred between June 1 and October 13, 2016. Hayler remains released under investigation and is due to appear before Crawley magistrates' court on November 19. The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has received ­support from specially trained officers as our enquiries continue."

If you are 18 or under and have been affected by this story, you can contact Childline, confidentially on 0800 1111. You can also contact the NSPCC Helpline by phoning 0808 800 500 or emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999

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