- The Matildas superstar is alleged to have branded the office a “stupid white bitch”.
- The trial itself will begin in February, more than two years after the alleged incident.
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Chelsea star Sam Kerr has arrived at Kingston Crown Court ahead of his delayed trial for allegedly racially abusing a police officer almost two years ago.
The Australian international is alleged to have insulted, threatened or caused alarm or distress at a police office while returning home in a taxi after a night out with fiancée Kristie Mewis on January 30, 2023.
Kerr will plead not guilty when the case goes to trial, nearly nine months after the preliminary hearing was canceled.
The footballer will try to have the accusation dismissed on Tuesday to avoid the trial next month.
Kerr allegedly labeled PC Stephen Lovell a “stupid white bitch”, and Kerr's legal representatives denied she had used the word “bastard”, instead allegedly calling the officer a “stupid white cop”.
Kerr's lawyer, Grace Forbes, previously requested that CCTV footage from outside Twickenham Police Station and inside its custody room be tendered into evidence.
Chelsea and Matildas star Sam Kerr (left) arrives at Kingston Crown Court for his hearing.
Kerr (pictured right with fiancee Kristie Mewis) has been charged with alleged racially aggravated harassment.
Kerr was led into the building as she sought to restart her attempt to dismiss the case.
PC Lovell is understood to have been called to the scene at Twickenham over a dispute over a taxi fare after the football superstar spent a night celebrating an FA Cup victory over Liverpool, where he scored a hat-trick to Chelsea.
Kerr also reportedly vomited in the taxi and at that time he was arrested and questioned.
Her legal team has argued that Kerr was subjected to an abuse of process after it took a year for her to be charged.
The trial will begin on February 3 and last several days, but Kerr, who is in the midst of a long recovery after tearing her ACL in January 2024, is not required to attend.
On the pitch, Kerr, who is expecting his first child with his fiancée Mewis, is aiming to return to Chelsea in March at the earliest, Blues coach Sonia Bompastor has revealed.
Kerr (left) has spent some time on the sidelines after tearing his ACL in January last year.
The superstar forward is also expecting a baby with her partner, she announced the news last year.
“We are looking to have her back with us (in) February (or) March, not before,” Bopastor told the media last month. “She is still in her individual rehabilitation process.
“It will take him at least two or three more months to be fit enough to be with the team.”