EXCLUSIVE
Sam Kerr has broken cover for the first time since her bombshell racial harassment allegations became public, stepping out in central London on Thursday and later reappearing for a dinner outing with fiancee Kristie Mewis.
Matilda and the Chelsea forward’s legal drama – as exclusively revealed by the Mail – means she faces a criminal trial before a jury in February next year.
Kerr has not been seen since the story broke on March 5 and has not commented publicly on her shocking start to the year, which has also seen her dream of representing Australia at the Paris Olympics almost destroyed by a serious knee injury she suffered. in January.
Kerr appeared unfazed by her terrible start to 2024 as she stepped out for a dinner date with fiancee Kristie Mewis in central London on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, the Matildas and Chelsea striker was dressed casually after leaving the Blues’ training ground in Cobham, on the south-west outskirts of London.
Before the Mail caught these exclusive pictures, Kerr had not been seen since news of her bomb charges broke on March 5, just after she pleaded not guilty in court
But despite her troubles, the 30-year-old looked relaxed as she stepped out with Mewis on Thursday night after being spotted earlier in the day dressed casually after attending Chelsea’s training center in Cobham, south-west London.
She had changed into a tracksuit top and shorts as she joined her American football star partner, who wore a striking all-black outfit, combining a see-through top with a jacket, mini skirt and boots.
It is the second time Mewis has been seen in public since news of Kerr’s charge broke, with the Mail capturing exclusive pictures of her in central London on Tuesday afternoon.
The Mail exclusively revealed the 30-year-old was charged with racially aggravated harassment by a police officer and entered a not guilty plea on March 4 and will now face a four-day criminal trial before a jury.
Mewis – who plays for West Ham – stepped out in an eye-catching all-black outfit
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the incident, which took place on 30 January 2023, was sparked by a dispute over a taxi fare before Kerr allegedly used insulting, threatening or abusive words which caused alarm or distress to the officer.
The Matildas captain wore a white T-shirt under a black suit when she appeared at Kingston Crown Court via video link, speaking only to confirm her identity and to enter a plea of not guilty.
Judge Judith Elaine Coello said it was understood the footballer’s defense would be that her intention was not to disturb the policeman.
“I understand the defense is that she did not intend to cause alarm, harassment or distress to the officer, (her conduct) was not commensurate with that and it was not racially aggravated,” Kerr’s lawyer, Grace Forbes, asked the judge.
Kerr had also been silent on social media since the allegation became public, but that changed on Wednesday when she reposted an Instagram message from Chelsea advertising that 30,000 tickets had been sold for their upcoming clash with rivals Arsenal.
As well as the charge of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer, Kerr, 30, is also dealing with a serious knee injury that has almost ruined her dream of representing Australia at the Paris Olympics
After being photographed by the Mail, the Chelsea striker posted this shot on Instagram watching hit TV show Gossip Girl
Kerr wore no bandages or support on her injured right knee, which was surgically repaired in January after she ruptured a ligament at a Chelsea training camp
The record-breaking forward has also faced calls for her to be stripped of the Matildas captaincy after it emerged she kept her accusation secret from the national team and the code’s governing body down under, Football Australia
On Thursday evening, UK time, she posted a shot on Instagram watching the hit TV show Gossip Girl, with what appears to be two iced coffees on a table in front of the screen.
As well as dealing with the charge and her ACL injury, Kerr has faced calls for her to be stripped of the Matildas captaincy after it emerged she did not tell the national team or Football Australia – the code’s governing body down under – about her legal situation.
Both Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson and FA chief executive James Johnson confirmed they only found out about the bombshell news when the Mail broke the story.
Her Australian and Chelsea team-mates have remained tight-lipped about her situation, with Matildas and Manchester City star Mary Fowler simply saying: ‘I don’t really know that much about it so I’m not in a position to talk about it and I also think it’s a private matter for her,’ during an appearance on Australian television on Wednesday.
However, the record-setting striker received support from Graham Arnold, the coach of Australia’s men’s national team, the Socceroos.
“My biggest concern is — I don’t want to get into any of this — but it’s Sam himself,” Arnold said Thursday.
‘The poor kid has had a really tough year with (his) injury at the World Cup and with his ACL injury.
“Let’s give her some thoughts about herself, please. I think it’s a hard time she would go through, it would be really hard for her.
‘Like I said, my thoughts are only with her.’