Former England footballer Raheem Sterling has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide and failing to provide a specimen following a motorway crash involving his £270,000 Lamborghini Urus.
The 31-year-old appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, September 15, where he admitted all three offences. The charges followed a single-vehicle collision in Hampshire on May 28.
Sterling could face a prison sentence over the dangerous-driving offence, although no sentence has been imposed yet. He has been disqualified from driving and released on unconditional bail while the case continues. He is due to return to court on November 25 for sentencing proceedings.
Sterling admits dangerous driving before crash
Prosecutors told the court that Sterling had driven his Lamborghini dangerously on the M25, M3, A327 and Minley Road before the vehicle eventually crashed.
Police received several reports of dangerous driving during the morning of May 28.
One witness reportedly described seeing the Lamborghini swerving between lanes on the M3. Another witness told police that she had serious concerns about the manner in which the vehicle was being driven.
The Lamborghini eventually left the road and collided with roadside infrastructure in a lay-by, causing substantial damage to the vehicle.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed previously that the incident was a single-vehicle collision near the Minley interchange on the M3 southbound. No other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported.
Six nitrous oxide canisters found
Sterling also pleaded guilty to possessing six canisters of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation.
Nitrous oxide, sometimes referred to as “laughing gas” or “hippy crack”, is classified as a Class C drug in the UK when possessed for wrongful inhalation.
According to reports of the court proceedings, witnesses said they saw the driver of the Lamborghini inhaling from a balloon before the crash.
Police body-camera footage also reportedly showed Sterling sitting in the vehicle with two nitrous oxide canisters on his lap after officers arrived.
Sterling additionally admitted failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
Sterling could face prison
The guilty plea means Sterling has accepted responsibility for the three offences he admitted in court.
However, his eventual punishment will be determined at a later stage.
Prosecutors reportedly told the court that the dangerous-driving offence fell into the most serious category, with a potential custodial sentence of between one and two years.
That does not mean Sterling has been sentenced to prison or that he will necessarily receive the maximum punishment.
The court is expected to consider the circumstances of the offence and other relevant factors before deciding the appropriate sentence.
Former England star now without a club
The court case comes during a period of uncertainty in Sterling’s football career.
Sterling has earned 82 England caps and scored 20 international goals. He was part of the England team that reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the Euro 2020 final.
He began his senior career at Liverpool before joining Manchester City in 2015.
During his time at City, Sterling won four Premier League titles, five League Cups and the FA Cup.
He moved to Chelsea in 2022 but later fell out of favour at Stamford Bridge. He spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Arsenal before joining Dutch club Feyenoord on a short-term deal.
Sterling made eight appearances for Feyenoord before leaving the club and is currently without a team.
Sterling’s work beyond football
Away from football, Sterling has also been recognised for his work against racism and discrimination.
In the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours, he was appointed an MBE for services to racial equality in sport.
Throughout his career, he has spoken publicly about racism in football and supported campaigns aimed at tackling discrimination.
What happens next?
His guilty plea brings the criminal proceedings into their next stage, but the final sentence has not yet been decided.
He has been disqualified from driving and remains on unconditional bail pending his next court appearance.
The former England winger is expected back before the court on November 25, when the next stage of sentencing proceedings will take place.
For now, the confirmed development is that Sterling has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation and failing to provide a specimen following the May Lamborghini crash.
The Guardian — Raheem Sterling pleads guilty to dangerous driving and nitrous oxide possession
