Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has been found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment following an incident at a London police station.
A jury at Kingston Crown Court on Tuesday cleared the Australian footballer of wrongdoing after she was accused of calling a police officer “stupid and white” during an encounter on January 30, 2023, in southwest London.
The case stemmed from a dispute involving Kerr and her partner, West Ham midfielder Kristie Mewis. The pair had been out drinking when a taxi driver took them to Twickenham Police Station, alleging they refused to pay for clean-up costs after one of them vomited in the vehicle. The driver also claimed one of them had smashed the car’s rear window.
At the station, Kerr reportedly became “abusive and insulting” toward police officer Stephen Lovell, leading to the charge. However, after deliberating for over four hours, the jury returned a not-guilty verdict.
Following the decision, Judge Peter Lodder remarked: “I take the view her own behaviour contributed significantly to the bringing of this allegation. I don’t go behind the jury’s verdict but that has a significant bearing on the question of costs.”
Kerr, 31, showed no emotion as the verdict was read but gave a thumbs-up to her lawyer after the judge left.
Kerr, who has been with Chelsea since 2020, is currently sidelined with a knee injury.
