Sam Kerr: Prosecutors granted more time to build racial abuse case against Matildas star

The Nightly
Sam Kerr is set to face an accusation of racially harassing a police officer.
Sam Kerr is set to face an accusation of racially harassing a police officer. Credit: DARREN ENGLAND/AAPIMAGE

A bid by Sam Kerr to have a racial abuse case against her thrown out of court has hit a snag after prosecutors were given more time to mount their case against the soccer superstar.

A judge on Tuesday agreed to revise the timeline by which the prosecution must lodge its response to defence skeleton arguments — which claimed there had been an abuse of process by Crown prosecutors. because it took almost a year for charges to be laid.

Those documents must now be lodged on May 15, with the hearing — which was due to happen on Friday local time — now due to be held on May 20.

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It is the second time an extension has been given to the prosecution after they missed a deadline to gather evidence including CCTV footage and written statements needed to cross-examine the 30-year-old.

Kerr is accused of racially harassing a police officer — identified only as PC Lovell by authorities — when he was called to diffuse a dispute over a taxi fare outside Twickenham Police Station in South West London on January 30 last year.

It is alleged the Australian called the cop a “stupid white bastard” or “stupid white cop”.

She was charged almost a year later with using insulting, threatening or abusive words that caused alarm or distress to the officer.

Court documents revealed Kerr had been taken into custody the night she was arrested.

The 2018 Young Australian of the Year is said to have been sick in the back of the cab following a night out when police were called. She then allegedly made the remark.

It is also said to have occurred hours after she scored a hat-trick with her English club, Chelsea.

Kerr pleaded not guilty to the offence at a court appearance in March and is due to face trial in February 2025 if the abuse of process argument is unsuccessful.

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