Sam Kerr to face trial over allegedly racially harassing cop
Matildas captain Samantha Kerr has been accused of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer and will face criminal trial next year.
Kerr was charged following a dispute over a taxi fare.
A UK Metropolitan Police Service spokesman said the incident occurred on January 30, 2023, in Twickenham.
The spokesperson said Kerr was charged via a “postal charge requisition” on January 21 this year “with a racially aggravated offence under Section 4A Public Order Act 1986”.
The officer was allegedly abused after responding to a complaint involving a taxi fare.
Kerr appeared in court on Monday for allegedly using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to PC Lovell.
The Chelsea striker appeared at Kingston Crown Court on videolink and only spoke to confirm her identity and to enter a not guilty plea to the charge.
The Daily Mail UK reports she will face a four-day trial in February next year, when two police officers are expected to give evidence.
Judge Judith Elaine Coello said Kerr’s defence would be that her intention was to not upset the officer, according to The Daily Mail UK.
“I understand that the defence is that she didn’t intend to cause alarm, harassment or distress to the officer, [her behaviour] did not amount to it and it was not racially aggravated?” the judge asked Kerr’s barrister, Grace Forbes.
The race of the officer was not clarified in court.
The charge has come off the back of a heartbreaking setback for the striker, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a mid-season Chelsea training camp.
As Kerr’s second ACL injury, her chances at the 2024 Paris Olympics are in doubt.
The Aussie superstar has won four Women’s Super League titles with Chelsea, on top of three FA Cups, two Women’s League Cups and the Women’s Community Shield in 2020.