Chelsea and Australia star Sam Kerr pleads not guilty to racially aggravated harassment of a police officer and faces trial next year
- The Chelsea forward appeared in court yesterday and the trial is scheduled for February next year
Australian superstar captain Samantha Kerr will face criminal charges next year over alleged racist harassment of a police officer, the Mail can reveal.
The Chelsea forward appeared in court yesterday (MON) charged with using abusive, threatening or insulting words that alarmed PC Lovell during an incident in Twickenham, south-west London, on January 30.
The 30-year-old, who wore a white T-shirt under a black suit jacket as she appeared at Kingston Crown Court via videolink, spoke only to confirm her identity and enter a not guilty plea to the charges.
She was told she was required to take part in a four-day trial scheduled for February next year, during which two police officers are expected to testify.
Australian Samantha Kerr plays against New Zealand during a Cup of Nations football match in Sydney, Australia
The 30-year-old, who wore a white T-shirt under a black suit jacket as she appeared via videolink at Kingston Crown Court (pictured)
The Chelsea forward appeared in court on Monday charged with using insulting, threatening or insulting words that caused PC Lovell to be concerned or alarmed.
Australia’s all-time leading scorer was selected to carry her country’s flag at King Charles’ coronation at Westminster Abbey last May
Judge Judith Elaine Coello said it was clear the footballer would defend that she did not mean to upset the police officer.
“I understand that the defense is that she did not intend to worry, harass or hurt the officer, that (her conduct) did not amount to that and that it was not racially aggravated,” the judge asked Kerr’s attorney, Grace Forbes.
The charge comes as Kerr, who has scored 99 goals in 128 appearances for Chelsea since signing in 2019, is sidelined with a long-term anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during the club’s warm-weather training camp in Monaco in January.
Judge Judith Elaine Coello said it was clear the footballer would defend that she did not mean to upset the police officer. Kerr after being substituted during a match in the AFC Women’s Asian Olympic Qualifier
Samantha Kerr and her fiancé Kirstie Mewis pictured after the striker asked her to marry him
Known as ‘Millionaire Mathilda’ for her enormous career achievements, Kerr is the only female player to win the golden boot in three different competitions and on three different continents.
Australia’s all-time leading scorer was selected to carry her country’s flag at King Charles’ coronation at Westminster Abbey last May, fronting a Commonwealth contingent that included Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Originally from Fremantle in Western Australia, Kerr has been shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or Féminin every year since its inception in 2018.
She has won four Women’s Super League titles with Chelsea, as well as three FA Cups, two Women’s League Cups and the Women’s Community Shield in 2020.
Kerr and fellow professional player Kristie Mewis, 32, who plays in the American league the NWSL, confirmed last November that the couple were engaged to be married.