Katie Price has told a court she was “really shocked” by allegations that her former husband Kieran Hayler raped a 13-year-old girl, saying she believed the alleged victim was “afraid” based on messages they exchanged.

The media personality gave evidence behind a screen at Lewes Crown Court on Monday, as Hayler, 39, stood trial accused of three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving the girl in West Sussex in 2016. He denies all the charges.

Asked about her reaction to the allegations, Price told jurors: “I was shocked… like really shocked. It was a different kettle of fish, it’s a child.”

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She said she had confronted Hayler at the time, asking whether he had “done stuff” with the girl. Asked by prosecutor Ryan Richter what her then-husband had said in response, Price told the court she could not remember his precise words but said his response had consistently been that he had not done so.

Price also described messages exchanged with the complainant, saying she recalled being told that Hayler had allegedly tried to kiss the girl and had done things to her. Pressed for details, she said the messages referred to a kiss and Hayler allegedly telling the girl that he loved her.

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“I wanted to get information out of [the complainant] because it’s serious,” Price told the court. “I could tell that she was, like, afraid.”

She said she had not spoken to the girl about the allegations face to face and was questioned about whether she had encouraged her to report the matter to police.

Price told the court that she had been struggling with her own mental health at the time. “I was going through it myself. I was having a breakdown at that point,” she said, adding that she had to go into the Priory.

Hayler, who was married to Price when the alleged offences are said to have taken place, denies the allegations. The court has heard that he claims Price launched a campaign against him following the breakdown of their marriage and that the allegations form part of that dispute.

The couple’s relationship broke down in 2018, and they divorced in 2021. The alleged victim is not part of either Price’s or Hayler’s extended families.

Separately, Price has created a crowdfunding page to raise money to support Hayler’s trial. The fundraising appeal comes as the case continues to attract public attention. The purpose and arrangements of the appeal should be considered separately from the evidence being heard in court; the existence of a crowdfunding campaign does not establish the truth or otherwise of the allegations.

The trial is continuing at Lewes Crown Court. The charges against Hayler remain allegations, and he is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until they are proved.

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