Former England footballer Raheem Sterling has pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation, and failing to provide a blood sample following a crash on a Hampshire motorway. The 31-year-old admitted the offences at Basingstoke magistrates’ court on Tuesday, with sentencing scheduled for November 25.
The incident occurred on May 28 when Sterling was driving his black Lamborghini Urus on the M3 southbound near the Minley interchange. Police and witnesses reported he was seen swerving erratically across multiple lanes on the M3 and M25 motorways during heavy traffic, creating significant risk for other road users. A dashcam video showed Sterling’s vehicle veering unusually, and road users described nearly colliding with Sterling’s car due to his erratic driving. The collision involved Sterling’s vehicle crashing into a metal gate, causing damage to the car’s front-left wheel and rear, including punctured tires.
Upon arrest, police found six 670g canisters of nitrous oxide in Sterling’s vehicle, with two canisters reportedly held on his lap. Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, was reclassified as a Class C controlled substance in November 2023, making its possession illegal. Bodycam footage from the arrest showed Sterling handling canisters and concealing deflated balloons inside the vehicle. Witnesses had also observed Sterling inhaling nitrous oxide earlier on the day of the crash. Following the arrest, Sterling informed custody staff that he had “a problem with nitrous oxide.”
Sterling also refused to provide a blood sample at the police station but agreed to take a saliva test at the scene for alcohol and drugs. During his police interview, he said he was tired and confused, having reportedly not slept the night before the incident.
The prosecution described the driving as a “prolonged incident of dangerous driving” that posed a “significant risk” to others. However, Sterling’s defense acknowledged the seriousness of the case but disputed that excessive speed was involved. Sterling’s legal team cited his lack of prior convictions and cooperation as mitigating factors.
Sterling was released on unconditional bail after the hearing and received an interim driving ban pending sentencing. The offences carry a maximum penalty of up to two years in prison, though his guilty plea and lack of previous offences may result in a reduced or suspended sentence, along with a mandatory driving ban, a fine, and possible community service.
Sterling, who began his career at Queens Park Rangers before playing for Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, and briefly on loan at Arsenal, currently remains without a club after departing Dutch side Feyenoord earlier this year. He earned 82 caps for England, scoring 20 goals, and was honoured with an MBE in 2021 for his efforts against racial inequality in sport.