Matildas captain Sam Kerr has been cleared of charges accusing her of racially abusing a police officer two years ago, following a night out with her fiancée, Kristie Mewis.
After over four hours of deliberation, the jury found that Kerr did not intend to cause harassment, alarm, or distress, nor did they believe Constable Stephen Lovell felt any of these emotions. They also determined the incident was not racially aggravated. As a result, Kerr, one of Australia’s most high-profile athletes, will face no punishment for calling the officer “f—ing stupid and white” during an altercation in the early hours of January 30, 2023.
Though acquitted, the judge cautioned Kerr that her behaviour at the police station contributed to the case. Justice Peter Lodder noted that Kerr’s actions played a role in the incident, but the jury ultimately sided with her.
After the verdict, Kerr expressed relief, stating, “I can finally put this challenging period behind me. 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 agreed.
“I would like 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 focussed on getting back on to the pitch and looking forward to an exciting year ahead for me and my family.”
The Metropolitan Police released a statement, noting, “Our officers perform a challenging job and are often subjected to various forms of abuse as they discharge their duty. We will continue to support all officers involved in this incident. The matter was fully investigated with evidence presented to the Crown Prosecution Service who made the decision to charge. A jury has found Kerr not guilty and we respect their verdict.”
The trial, stemming from comments Kerr made after a night of heavy drinking, has now concluded, ending more than two years of legal proceedings for the footballer.
Kerr is now “fully focused” on her return to the pitch, looking forward to the year ahead.
