Matilda’s captain Sam Kerr could be forced to wait even longer to face trial for allegedly abusing a police officer as defence fails to submit documents

Matilda’s captain Sam Kerr could be forced to wait even longer to face trial for allegedly abusing a police officer as defence fails to submit documents

Sam Kerr‘s legal team have yet to lodge their arguments with the British court where her racial harassment case will be heard – ten days after the papers were due.

The latest development in the saga reveals an issue with document submission; neither the defence nor the prosecution has fully served its documents. 

This could delay the case, causing additional distress for the Matildas star. 

Kerr, 30, was charged nearly a year after being accused of using insulting and distressing language towards PC Lovell during a fare dispute outside Twickenham Police Station in South West London on January 30 last year. 

The incident occurred while Kerr was out with her fiancée, Kristie Mewis after a big win with Chelsea win in the Women’s Super League earlier that day.

Kerr’s defence team, under the leadership of barrister Grace Forbes, had a deadline of April 2 to submit their preliminary arguments. The prosecutors were then expected to reply by Tuesday after gaining a two-day extension. 

But the Mail understands that the full defence arguments were not submitted to Kingston Crown Court, meaning the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was unable to provide a response.

A CPS spokesman confirmed that neither side has served its papers. 

Kerr has been ruled out of the Paris Olympics through injury anyway, but faces an extended stint on the sideline as her pending court case drags out

Kerr's barrister Grace Forbes had a deadline to submit of April 2 to submit their preliminary arguments

Kerr’s barrister Grace Forbes had a deadline to submit of April 2 to submit their preliminary arguments

Kerr is accused of verbally abusing a London police constable during a night out with fiancée Kristie Mewis

Kerr is accused of verbally abusing a London police constable during a night out with fiancée Kristie Mewis

Barristers for the CPS have now been granted until April 23 to lodge its case documents. Kerr’s legal teams have been given an additional nine days to submit its papers.

Kerr’s legal team refused to confirm whether anything had been submitted to the court, or what the defence arguments would be.

A spokesman from Sheridans Law, the firm acting for Kerr, said: ‘As you are aware, legal proceedings are ongoing. In the circumstances, neither Ms Kerr nor her legal team are able to comment.’

‘All Ms Kerr’s rights remain reserved.’

When asked if any documents had been submitted, the spokesman added: ‘It’s not clear exactly what papers are being referred to’.

‘Let alone when it is suggested that they should have been submitted or the extent to which they have been only partially submitted if that is what is claimed.’

Kerr has been accused of calling a Metropolitan Police officer a ‘stupid white PC’ after he was called to a dispute between the Chelsea forward and a taxi driver following a night out in Twickenham, southwest London.

A source said she is accused of vomiting in the taxi during the evening, which came after Kerr scored a hat-trick against Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round.

Kerr is out of action anyway after rupturing her ACL at a training camp for club side Chelsea

Kerr is out of action anyway after rupturing her ACL at a training camp for club side Chelsea

The Matildas captain has kept a low profile since being charged, spotted occasionally in public with fiancée Kristie Mewis

The Matildas captain has kept a low profile since being charged, spotted occasionally in public with fiancée Kristie Mewis

Kerr faces an uncertain future with further delays for her trial likely to impact contract talks

Kerr faces an uncertain future with further delays for her trial likely to impact contract talks

The Mail exclusively revealed that the 30-year-old was charged with racially aggravated harassment towards PC Lovell and entered a not guilty plea on March 4.

A four-day trial is provisionally scheduled for February 2025.The Matildas captain first appeared at Kingston Crown Court via videolink, and spoke only to confirm her identity and to enter a not guilty plea to the charge.

Judge Judith Elaine Coello said it was understood that the footballer’s defence would be that her intention was not to upset the policeman during the incident on January 30, 2023.

‘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.

It is likely that Kerr’s team will try to have the charges thrown out by arguing that pursuing the prosecution is not in the public interest.

It is also believed it will be argued there has been an abuse of process given it took a year to charge her and it will be another year before she faces trial.

The trial is likely to hear evidence from PC Lovell, with jurors expected to be shown bodyworn footage of the incident.

Kerr will next appear for a mention hearing on April 26.


Source From: Football | Mail Online

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