Sam Kerr has been acquitted of racially aggravated harassment against a police officer after a seven-day trial at Kingston Crown Court.

Kerr, renowned as one of the most prominent figures in women’s football, was accused of deliberately inflicting “racially aggravated harassment, alarm, or distress” upon PC Stephen Lovell during an encounter at a police station in the early hours of January 30, 2023.

The incident occurred following a night out with her fiancée, U.S. international Kristie Mewis, who is expecting their first child.

After struggling to book three Ubers, they caught a black cab on Oxford Street in central London and headed to Kerr’s home in Richmond.

However, the taxi driver called the authorities after they refused to pay for cleaning costs after Mewis reportedly broke the rear window and vomited in the cab. Instead of taking them home, the driver directed them to Twickenham police station, where officers awaited their arrival.

Inside the police station, it was claimed that Kerr became aggressive and made remarks concerning PC Lovell’s race.

During the trial, bodycam footage was presented, showcasing Kerr saying, “You guys are f******* stupid and white,” and repeating similar phrases while expressing her frustration. While she acknowledged her remarks, Kerr maintained her not-guilty plea.

Judge Peter Lodder KC noted that Kerr’s actions would significantly influence the consideration of costs. He stated, “I believe her behavior played a considerable role in the emergence of this allegation,” emphasizing that this would be pertinent in discussions regarding costs, although he respected the jury’s verdict.

In a statement following her acquittal, Kerr expressed relief about the verdict, saying, “I can finally move past this difficult chapter.”

She offered an apology for her inappropriate expression during what she described as a distressing night, clarifying that it was never her intent to insult or harm anyone, and appreciated the jury’s unanimous support.

Kerr also thanked her partner Kristie, family, friends, and fans for their unwavering love and support, particularly those who attended the court proceedings each day. She emphasized her eagerness to return to football and her anticipation for the upcoming year with her family.

Throughout the trial, Kerr described experiences of perceived racial bias in her interactions with police, sharing her background as a white Anglo-Indian. She recounted her early encounters with racism aimed at her family, indicating it started when she was around nine or ten years old.

Mewis testified that she felt Kerr was merely expressing her truth when she referred to the officer as “stupid and white,” arguing that Kerr had faced discriminatory treatment and communication for most of her life.

After an incident where Kerr vomited outside the cab, both women reported that the driver’s behavior became erratic, leading them to feel they were being held “hostage” in the taxi, which prompted Mewis to break the window in fear for their safety.

The couple frequently mentioned the case of Sarah Everard, who was tragically murdered by a police officer in 2021, underscoring their sense of vulnerability during the encounter with law enforcement.

Upon arrival at the station, Kerr and Mewis felt that the officers were disinterested in their account of the events, which Mewis described as “gaslighting.” Kerr expressed a belief that PC Lovell was misusing his authority over her.

During the trial, Kerr’s attorney, Grace Forbes, suggested that PC Lovell had altered his statements to facilitate a criminal charge, a claim that Lovell denied, stating that Kerr’s comments left him feeling “shocked, upset, and humiliated.”

When questioned about the impact of Kerr’s remarks concerning race, he asserted, “I found them to be deeply offensive.”

In his closing argument, the prosecutor, Bill Emlyn Jones KC, contended that referring to a white person as “white” lacks the historical weight and pain associated with calling a black person “black.” He further asserted that, despite the emotional context, Kerr’s statement was considered unlawful.

Emlyn Jones characterized Kerr’s demeanor during the incident as “very angry” and “very drunk,” describing it as a volatile combination. He also claimed she made statements in the station indicating a sense of entitlement, which Kerr rebutted.

Kerr’s family, including her parents and brother, were present throughout the trial, standing by her side at all times.

The Australian captain is a celebrated figure in the sport, having achieved significant success, including multiple trophies with Chelsea since her signing in 2019, where she has scored 99 goals in 128 appearances.

Currently recuperating from an ACL injury sustained at a training camp in Morocco last January, Kerr recently extended her contract with Chelsea for another two years and anticipates returning to the pitch in the next couple of months, leaving this lengthy ordeal behind.

(Top photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images)