Katie Price has been giving evidence at the trial of her ex-husband Kieran Hayler who is accused of raping a 13-year-old girl.

Hayler, 39, is accused of raping the girl, now in her early 20s, on three different occasions and sexually assaulting her in 2016. He denies all charges.

The jury heard earlier in the trial Mr Hayler believes he is being set up by his former wife.

In 2021, the complainant contacted the NSPCC charity which referred her to the police, prompting the investigation.

Hayler was first interviewed by police in January 2022 and denied any of the allegations took place and that anything sexual occurred.

Ms Price today told jurors she could tell the girl was 'afraid' from messages they exchanged.

When asked about messages between her and the complainant, she said: 'I can't remember the exact messages but it was that Kieran had tried to kiss her, that he had done stuff to her.'

Pressed on what was said, Ms Price told the court: 'Definitely a kiss and that he said he loved her.

'I wanted to get information out of (the complainant) because it’s serious. I could tell that she was, like, afraid.'

Ms Price said she was 'really shocked' by the allegations about her then-husband, telling jurors: 'I was shocked - like, really shocked.

'It was a different kettle of fish, it's a child.'

She told the court she confronted her husband at the time, asking if he had 'done stuff' with the teenage girl.

Asked by prosecutor Ryan Richter what was his response was, Ms Price said: 'I can't remember his response but his response all the time was, "No, I hadn't".'

Giving evidence to jurors last Tuesday, the complainant told the court that Hayler texted her after the third alleged rape, saying, 'I love you goodnight,' and she replied: 'I love you too.'

Jurors heard when the trial opened last Monday that Hayler will say Ms Price made up the allegations as part of a campaign against him.

Hayler believes the allegations were 'created' and he was being 'set up' after the breakdown of their marriage.

The alleged victim's mother last week told jurors her daughter liked the way Mr Hayler talked to her, saying: 'She said he told her he didn't have any friends and she could be his best friend. 

'She liked the way he spoke to her.'

Asked why she did not tell anybody else about the rape allegations until after Ms Price contacted social services in 2018, the mother said: 'I had to keep her secret and her trust. 

'I couldn't tell my husband because I knew what the consequences would be. I didn't want any of this for her.' 

The mother has denied she was influenced by Katie Price to come to court and said her daughter was not interested in becoming a celebrity.

In a text message exchange between Ms Price and the girl, the jury heard the reality star offered to make her a 'little star'.

The messages were read out to her mother during her second day in the witness box.

Arlette Piercy, for the defence, asked the mother if she was aware of the messages. 

The witness replied: 'My daughter wasn't interested in becoming a star.'

Ms Piercy challenged the mother on what she knew about the allegations and when, asking: 'You didn't believe anything had happened, did you, and you didn't do anything about it did you?'

The mother replied: 'Yes, I did. I believed my daughter.' 

Messages sent in May 2017 between the alleged and Price were last week read to the jury, in which Price asked her about rumours regarding Hayler. 

The complainant said she did not remember the exchange, but the court was told Price asked her whether Mr Hayler fancied her and if he tried to kiss her.

In one message, Price wrote: 'I won't say anything and I promise I'll protect you. I'm only asking as this is a serious allegation to say.'

The girl, then aged 14, replied: 'It was just a flirt thing and he knew it was wrong. Nothing happened.'

Price replied: 'I won't bring up any more, just want truth. I will make you a little star.'

Former reality TV star Hayler met Ms Price in 2012 and proposed on Christmas Day. They married at a luxury Caribbean resort the following year.

In a previous statement, Sussex Police said: 'We can confirm Kieran Hayler, of Northchapel, 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 at an address in West Sussex between June 1 and October 13, 2016.

'The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has received support from specially trained officers as our enquiries continue.'

A representative for Hayler has previously said: 'Kieran Hayler strongly denies the allegations made against him in their entirety.

'Mr Hayler is fully engaged and has been co-operating 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.'

The alleged victim is not part of Hayler or Ms Price’s extended families.

Hayler denies rape and sexual assault. The trial at Lewes Crown Court continues.