A Metropolitan Police officer expressed his determination to pursue legal action against Chelsea footballer Sam Kerr after she allegedly referred to him as “stupid and white,” a court recently heard. The Australia international is currently on trial for causing racially aggravated harassment to PC Stephen Lovell following an incident in south-west London on January 30, 2023.
Details from the trial revealed that Kerr, along with her partner Kristie Mewis, had been drinking before a taxi driver transported them to Twickenham Police Station. The driver claimed they refused to pay cleanup costs after one of them fell ill and allegedly damaged the vehicle’s rear window.
During the court proceedings, it was reported that the women informed officers that the driver had behaved erratically, driving rapidly, locking them in the car, and preventing them from leaving for approximately 15 minutes. Video footage from PC Lovell’s body-worn camera showed Kerr conveying her fear during the incident.
At the police station, Kerr reportedly became confrontational with PC Lovell, making comments that included the remark in question. While she acknowledged making the comments, Kerr is contesting that they constitute harassment.
The court was informed that the Crown Prosecution Service initially opted not to press charges against Kerr. However, following a request for review by the police, and subsequent statements provided by PC Lovell, the decision to prosecute was revisited in December 2023, nearly a year post-incident.
Defense attorney Grace Forbes challenged PC Lovell on the timeline of his statements, suggesting they were influenced by the CPS’s earlier decision not to pursue charges. In response, PC Lovell affirmed his intention to follow through with prosecution.
The trial continued with testimonies revealing the emotional impact of the comments on PC Lovell, who described feeling “belittled and upset.” When questioned about the relevance of his race in the incident, he stated it had no bearing on the situation, although he acknowledged feeling upset by the remark regarding his ethnicity.
The trial remains ongoing, with significant attention drawn to the case.
