Matildas captain Sam Kerr will face a criminal trial next year for alleged racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.
According to the Daily Mail, the Chelsea striker, who is currently recovering from an ACL injury, is accused of using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to PC Lovell on January 30.
According to a statement from the Metropolitan police and reported by theguardian.com:
“Samantha Kerr, 30 (10.09.93) of Richmond was charged via postal charge requisition on 21 January with a racially aggravated offence under Section 4A Public Order Act 1986.
“The charge relates to an incident involving a police officer who was responding to a complaint involving a taxi fare on 30 January 2023 in Twickenham.”
Kerr appeared at Kingston Crown Court via videolink on Monday and spoke only to confirm her identity and to enter a not guilty plea.
“I understand that the defence is that she didn’t intend to cause alarm, harassment or distress to the officer, [her behaviour] did not amount to it and it was not racially aggravated,” the judge asked Kerr’s barrister, Grace Forbes.
She will now be required to attend a four-day trial, scheduled for February 2025, where two police officers are expected to give evidence.
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