Kerr found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment
Soccer star Sam Kerr has shown no emotion in court after a jury handed down a not guilty verdict in her racial harassment trial on Wednesday (AEDT).
The jury deliberated for four hours and 17 minutes at Kingston Crown Court, including an hour’s lunch break.
The Australia women’s soccer captain was charged after calling a London police officer “f—ing stupid and white” when a night out went sour during a taxi ride on January 30, 2023.
Kerr did not react as the verdict was read out in court, but then gave a thumbs up to her barrister Grace Forbes.
Her partner, American footballer Kristie Mewis, broke down in tears as she watched from the public gallery.
Outside court, Kerr did not address the media. She issued a statement hours later with an apology for her behaviour.
“Following today’s not guilty verdict, I can finally put this challenging period behind me,” she said.
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“While I apologise for expressing myself poorly on what was a traumatic evening, I have always maintained that I did not intend to insult or harm anyone and I am thankful that the jury unanimously agreed.
“I would like to thank my partner Kristie, my family, friends and all the fans for their love and support, especially those who attended court each day.
“I am fully focused on getting back on to the pitch and look forward to an exciting year ahead for me and my family.”
Sam Kerr did not speak to media but later released a statement. Photo: AAP
Judge Peter Lodder made a pointed comment on Kerr’s behaviour when her lawyer raised the subject of costs after the verdict.
“I take the view her own behaviour contributed significantly to the bringing of this allegation,” he said.
“I don’t go behind the jury’s verdict but that has a significant bearing on the question of costs.”
Kerr was charged with racially aggravated harassment with intent to cause alarm or distress, a public order offence which carried a maximum sentence of 26 weeks in jail.
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She was charged by police constable Stephen Lovell, the London officer she abused after an hour-long altercation in Twickenham police station that followed the taxi ride.
The ride had ended with Kerr’s fiancee kicking out a back window in an attempt to escape the vehicle, which the pair said was being driven “crazily”.
They said they feared for their lives and thought they were being kidnapped.
The alleged erratic driving began after Kerr, who admitted she was drunk, had thrown up outside the cab window on the way home.
Sam Kerr’s fiancee Kristie Mewis had been supporting her in court. Photo: AAP
It can now be reported that Kerr’s legal team attempted to get the case thrown out at a preliminary hearing, arguing there was an abuse of process by crown prosecutors.
Speaking during the hearing on January 14, Forbes said the Crown Prosecution Service had violated its own guidance, adding that a “loophole” in the victims’ right of review scheme had been used to justify prosecution proceedings a year after the alleged offence.
During the trial, Lovell was asked if he made his statement alleging that Kerr’s comments had caused alarm or harassment only after the CPS had decided not to proceed.
In his first statement to the CPS, the officer did not mention the “stupid and white” comment having any impact on him, the jury was told.
In December 2023, he gave a new statement saying the comments made him “shocked, upset, and [left] me feeling humiliated”.
– with AAP
