Katie Price in 'grave danger of going to prison' over 'restraining order breach' row
Katie Price is facing a Crown Court trial after denying she broke a restraining order against her ex-husband’s fiancee over a message in which she accused the pair of having an affair.
Her plea means the case will go to trial, with the judge in the Magistrates' Court hearing on Wednesday warning: "You are in really grave danger of going to prison."
Ms Price is said to have sent Kieran Hayler a message on January 21 this year in which she branded his new partner, Michelle Penticost, a “c***ing whore” and a “gutter slag”.
Price, who was known professionally as Jordan, was banned from contacting Ms Penticost directly or indirectly on June 3, 2019, under the terms of a five-year restraining order.
The 43-year-old former glamour model was fined hundreds of pounds for hurling a foul-mouthed “tirade of abuse” at her during a row in a school playground.
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Ms Price appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, accused of contacting Ms Penticost indirectly in breach of the restraining order.
The former I'm A Celebrity contestant was supported by her reality TV star fiance Carl Woods, 33, who sat in the public gallery.
The court heard her message to Mr Hayler may have been triggered by an Instagram post by Ms Penticost, which the latter denies was aimed at Ms Price.
Ms Price’s message read: “Tell your c***ing whore, piece of s***, girlfriend not to start on me.
“She has a restraining order so shouldn’t try antagonise me as she is in breach and I’m sure she doesn’t want people knowing that she was having an affair with you behind my back. That gutter slag.”
Ms Price, who became a household name in the 2000s, stood in the dock to confirm her name, address and date of birth, before pleading not guilty to the single charge, which can be tried in either the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court.
Joe Harrington, defending, said: “The issues relate to her mental health and the triggers which led to sending that message.”
Asked where she wanted the trial to be heard, Ms Price said: “The Crown Court please.”
District Judge Amanda Kelly warned the offence carries a maximum sentence of up to five years’ imprisonment and told Ms Price: “You are in really grave danger of going to prison.”
The judge added: “This is a very serious allegation in which it is alleged you used indirectly vile and nasty language towards Ms Penticost, someone you were prohibited from contacting directly or indirectly by a restraining order.”
The judge granted Ms Price bail ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on May 25 at Lewes Crown Court on condition she does not contact Ms Penticost either directly or indirectly, except for handing over children.
“It seems to me, Ms Price, that all of the children caught up in your relationships past and present need their adults to behave like adults,” the judge said.
“Stop exposing them to very public squabbles.”