London: Australian soccer star Samantha Kerr has been found not guilty of racially abusing a UK police officer by a British jury in a unanimous verdict.
Kerr, the 31-year-old Matildas captain and star striker with English club Chelsea, had denied a charge of racially aggravated harassment, but admitted she repeatedly called Constable Stephen Lovell “f—ing stupid and white” during a drunken altercation over a taxi fare with police in January 2023.
Matildas captain and Chelsea striker Sam Kerr arrives at Kingston Crown Court on Monday with fiancee Kristie Mewis.Credit: Getty Images
The jury, comprising of eight men and four women, deliberated for about four hours before reaching its verdict at Kingston Crown Court. The offence carries up to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of nearly $5000.
Kerr, her parents Roger and Roxanne, brother Levi and pregnant fiancée Kristie Mewis, were all present for their decision. Kerr, wearing a white shirt, showed little emotion when the verdict was read, but Mewis broke down in tears and was comforted by Roger.
Kerr was overheard saying “hope to never see you again” to the dock officer as she left. She then hugged her brother.
Judge Peter Lodder flagged after the verdict he was not fondly disposed to making a ruling on costs.
“I take the view her own behaviour contributed significantly to the bringing of this allegation … that has a significant bearing on the issue of costs,” he said. “Behaviour which she herself had to accept by virtue of video recording.”
The Australia captain, one of the recognisable and highest-paid women’s soccer players in the world, faced days of interrogation on the witness stands, retracing the events of the evening two years ago which included a chaotic taxi ride, a smashed car window, multiple calls to police and a tense, drunken and foul-mouthed episode with three police officers.
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