Kerr’s ‘stupid and white’ remark was an insult and racist, court told
Emlyn Jones said Kerr’s claims about what had happened in the taxi did not make “one blind bit of difference to what this case is about” and said she was “drunk and angry” and “lashing out in a rage” that night.
He told the court her usual good character and behaviour had “pretty much gone out of the window” when she demonstrated hostility to Lovell by reference to the fact that he happened to be white.
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“It might make it surprising, it might make it sad but it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen,” he said.
“The fact you will be able to think of much worse examples of racial aggravation is irrelevant. Would we consider this a racially aggravated insult if she had said stupid and black? Of course you would, it wouldn’t even be contestable.”
Lovell gave evidence earlier in the trial that he had felt “shocked”, “upset” and “humiliated” during the encounter.
Earlier in the day, the court heard character references from Chelsea teammates and former head coach Emma Hayes as well as her mother, Roxanne Kerr.
Carly Telford, a goalkeeper who played for Chelsea from 2017 to 2022, described Kerr as a “close friend” and an “introverted extrovert”.
“On the pitch you see the skills, the back flips [but] away from pitch, she’s quite quiet and shy. Quite reserved,” she said.
Telford said Kerr was “generous” with money and said she often considered how she could cover costs for the younger players on nights out “to make sure they can celebrate with us”.
Grace Forbes, defending Kerr, read out several statements from Hayes, Chelsea captain Millie Bright and midfielder Erin Cuthbert.
Hayes, who is the former Chelsea manager and current head coach of the US football team, said Kerr was an “exemplary role model” and described her as “one of the warmest, friendliest, kindest and most considerate players”.
Kerr is the all-time leading Australian international scorer, with 69 international goals. The Chelsea striker has been instrumental in the club’s success since joining in 2019, winning the Women’s Super League five times and the Women’s FA Cup three times.
“She is calm and level-headed and mindful. She comes from a wonderful family. She has the biggest heart. She is a big kid at heart. I think she does well to manage everything that is thrown at her and the expectation that is placed on her,” she said.
Kerr’s mother, Roxanne, also provided a statement, calling her daughter “the most humble, honest and loving person I know” who “will always fight for what is right”.
