- Sam Kerr’s brother has pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges
- He appeared in the WA District Court on Monday
- Daniel’s case comes amid Sam’s own ordeal in court
The AFL star brother of Matlidas captain Sam Kerr has pleaded guilty to ‘persistent involvement in domestic violence’, while his sister is accused of racially harassing a police officer on the other side of the world.
Daniel Kerr, who became premier at the West Coast Eagles, was due to stand trial on five charges in May but pleaded guilty to one offense at the Perth District Court on Monday.
Three charges of endangering ‘the life, health or safety of any person’ and one of deprivation of liberty were withdrawn.
But he has admitted domestic abuse charges against his former partner and mother of his children over a period of eight years.
Kerr was fined $5,000 at the Fremantle Magistrates Court in September 2020 for breaching a family violence restraining order and aggravated stalking, in which he pleaded guilty to bombarding his ex with 135 text messages.
The ordeal left her feeling ‘severely intimidated’, a court heard.
Kerr is due back in court on April 5 where his sentencing will be recorded.
Sam Kerr’s brother has pleaded guilty to domestic violence in an Australian court
Daniel Kerr made the admission during a hearing at the WA District Court on Monday
He was also given a two-year prison sentence for setting fire to his parents’ house in February 2021.
He was seen driving away from the property shouting and waving his arms, before emergency services were alerted by concerned neighbors after they saw smoke coming from the house.
He was arrested at a car wash business he owned in Cottesloe.
Daniel’s latest court appearance comes a week after Sam’s virtual appearance at Kingston Crown Court in London, where a four-day trial was set after she allegedly racially abused a police officer.
Kerr, 30, was charged with racially aggravated harassment of a police officer last Monday and has entered a not guilty plea, with Kingston Crown Court scheduling a four-day trial for February 2025.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed that the incident, which took place on January 30, 2023, was sparked by a dispute over a taxi fare before Kerr allegedly used abusive, threatening or insulting words that caused PC Lovell alarm or distress.
Kerr is said to have called the officer ‘a stupid white cop’ after a drunken night out in Twickenham, south-west London, in January 2023. She is also said to have vomited in a taxi.
She also allegedly threw up in the taxi.
Sam Kerr’s brother Daniel was a premiership-winning Aussie Rules player with West Coast
Both Daniel (center) and Sam (left) are facing lawsuits in different countries
She has pleaded not guilty and faces a maximum prison sentence of two years if found guilty in February 2025.
Her legal team will return to court in April and hope the case will be dismissed.
Kerr has been charged with intentionally causing racially aggravated intimidation, alarm or distress to the male PC under section 31(1)(b) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
Kerr was summoned by postal request to make his first appearance at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on February 1. The case was then transferred to Kingston Crown Court.
Wearing a white T-shirt under a black suit jacket as she appeared via video link, she spoke only to confirm her identity and to enter a not guilty plea to the charges.
Kerr was told she was required to take part in a four-day trial, scheduled for February next year, in which two police officers are expected to testify.
A hearing will be held on April 26, where her defense is expected to seek to dismiss the case, arguing it constitutes an abuse of process.
Judge Judith Elaine Coello said she understood Kerr’s defense would be that she did not intend to cause alarm, intimidation or fear to the police officer and that her slur was not racially motivated.