Sam Kerr alleged racial abuse case: Matildas captain kept in a cell on night of incident
Court documents have revealed more details around what happened the night Sam Kerr allegedly got into an altercation with a British police officer.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sam Kerr was taken into custody after an incident where she allegedly verbally abused a UK police officer, according to court transcripts.
It comes as “numerous” bodycam clips filmed by police during the incident over a taxi fare have been called as key admissible court evidence to define if the soccer star used alleged racial language on the officer.
In court transcripts, Kerr’s barrister said she had contacted the prosecution to ask for the footage that captured the “short incident”, as well as CCTV footage outside the police station “where the contact began and within the custody suite”, where the star soccer player had been taken after the incident in Twickenham in South West London, in the early hours of January 30, 2023.
The 30-year-old – who denies intentionally causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress to the male police constable under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 – was ordered to attend a committal hearing at Kingston Crown Court on February 3 next year.
The Perth-born star, who appeared via video link last week, only spoke to deny the charge and reply “yes” to confirm she understood she needed to attend.
“Those instructing me have attempted to contact the prosecution about this (footage) but have not received a response,” Kerr’s barrister Grace Forbes told the Court, stipulating she needed body-worn video clips H8 and H9.
Judge Judith Elaine Coello questioned if a trial would need four days, because “it was a very short incident was it not?” before telling prosecution barrister Judith Benson that the defence “need to have access to those body-worn footage videos.”
Ms Forbes requested CCTV footage that may have captured Kerr at the police station telling the judge “both from outside the police station, where the contact began and within the custody suite, we would simply ask that that be preserved from this point on.”
“I know that with CCTV, there may be time limits on that where it is automatically deleted, so I raise that today,” she said.
The court heard more than 28 days had passed since the alleged incident and it was unsure how long footage is kept before it is deleted.
“Can you make a note of that and report it immediately, so that if there is a time limit which I am aware there is very often, that that CCTV is reserved so the Crown can at least review it,” Judge Coello told the prosecution.
Ms Forbes told the court the defence will aim to get the case struck out of court on the grounds of abuse of process on April 26.
It comes as Kerr returned to social media to support her Chelsea teammates as they get set to take on Arsenal in London this week.
It is the first time the Australian captain and Chelsea striker has made any public pronouncement since it emerged she could stand trial next February over the incident.
In a post shared to her Instagram on Wednesday local time, Kerr, who is sidelined with an ACL injury, shared a Chelsea FCW post which proclaimed 30,000 tickets had been sold for the match at the South West London stadium.
The Sun newspaper reported last week that Kerr, 30, allegedly called a male police officer who arrived at the scene to diffuse a row with a taxi driver over a fare “stupid white bastard.”
While the court did not hear what words Kerr allegedly did say, it heard Kerr denied intending to harass, alarm or distress the police officer or use threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, thereby causing that or another person harassment, alarm or distress in a racially aggravated offence under Section 28 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
Addressing the £415,000-a-year ($A801,607) footballer on the screen, Judge Coello said: “Ms Kerr, can you hear me and see me on the screen?
“Right, the defence is one that you say that she did not intend to cause harassment, alarm and distress to the officer, and it did not amount to it, and it was not racially aggravated, is that correct?”
Kerr replied “yes”.
She told her the “important” date for her is May 7 by when she must lodge her full defence case.
“Any failure to do that or any failure to give sufficient detail could count against you with a jury at trial, do you understand?” the judge asked.
“Yes,” Kerr replied.
The judge confirmed she remains on unconditional bail and ordered her barrister to prepare a defence skeleton argument by April 2, and the defence to lodge its response two weeks later.
An abuse of process hearing is listed for April 26.
The judge said she was not obliged to turn up to that hearing but added, “obviously, to turn up for your trial.”
“Any failure to do that could result in the trial proceeding in your absence, you could
therefore be unrepresented and if that is the position, you could find in those circumstances that you might be convicted in your absence. Do you understand that warning?” Judge Coello asked.
“Yes,” Kerr replied.
“The sooner you plead guilty to this matter, if that is your intention and your wish, the earlier you do that the better, do you understand? You will lose credit as time goes on and should you be convicted after trial; you will lose all credit you might otherwise have obtained. Are you clear on all of that?
“Yes,” Kerr replied.
More Coverage
Originally published as Sam Kerr alleged racial abuse case: Matildas captain kept in a cell on night of incident
Shocked Sky Blues to bolster squad
With Sydney FC’s Australia Cup defence already over, the Sky Blues have switched their focus to the start of their AFC Champions League Two campaign.
NPL NSW: 30 rising football talents of the men’s and women’s competitions
The NSW NPL has long been a breeding ground for the best Australian football talents. Check out 30 of the best young talents coming through the ranks of the men’s and women’s competitions.