The six-day trial of Matildas and Chelsea star Sam Kerr has come to end with the jury delivering a ‘not guilty’ verdict.
Kerr says she can “finally put the challenging period behind me” and is focused on getting back on the pitch.
The jury spent four hours deliberating before determining that Kerr was not guilty of causing racially aggravated harassment, following comments calling a police officer “stupid and white”.
The incident occurred more than two years ago in January 2023 after Kerr said she had been “antagonised” by police officers after a tax driver had taken her to a police station following a dispute. Kerr didn’t deny using the words but rejected the idea it was a racial offence.
Kerr remained silent during the verdict, but gave a thumbs-up to her barrister.
She left the courtroom with fiancee Kristie Mewis, who has supported Kerr in court during the six-day trial.
Kerr had been out with Lewis on the night of the incident in 2023. The pair had been taken to Twickenham Police Station after a taxi driver complained one of them had been sick and they had to pay clean up costs. Kerr had expressed that they felt like hostages being driven to the police station in the taxi.
Kerr’s statement shared thanks for her supporters and loved ones, and apologised for expressing herself “poorly” on the night two years ago.
“While I apologise for expressing myself poorly on what was a traumatic evening, I have always maintained that I did not intend to insult or harm anyone and I am thankful that the jury unanimously agreed.
“I am fully focused on getting back on to the pitch and look forward to an exciting year ahead for me and my family.”
Kerr and Mewis are expecting a baby this year.
During the trial, Kerr said she regretted the words and denied using whitenesss as an insult.
“I was trying to express that due to the power and privilege they had, they would never have to understand what we had just gone through and the fear we were having for our lives.”
The charges against Kerr emerged in December 2023, almost a year after the incident and following the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.