Raheem Sterling has admitted dangerous driving, drug possession and failing to provide a breath sample after crashing his Lamborghini Urus near the Minley junction of the M3 in Hampshire. The 31-year-old, capped 82 times by England, told the court he had a problem with nitrous oxide.
Key takeaways
- Sterling pleaded guilty to three offences following the early-morning incident on the M3.
- A motorist said she saw the former England forward holding a large balloon while driving.
- Police found six nitrous oxide canisters and a deflated balloon in the Lamborghini.
- Court evidence said Sterling was too impaired to complete basic roadside and custody-suite coordination tests.
- Nitrous oxide has been illegal for recreational use in England since 2023.
Raheem Sterling admits offences after M3 crash
The former Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal player was stopped by police after an accident involving his Lamborghini, valued at around €315,000. The incident occurred close to the Minley interchange in Hampshire.
A woman travelling to work told officers that she glanced across at the Lamborghini and recognised Sterling at the wheel. She said he appeared to have an inflated balloon held in front of his face, initially believing it might have been an airbag because of its size.
She said she quickly concluded that it was being used for nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or “hippy crack”, and described the driving as reckless. The motorist said the episode left her fearing the consequences of a collision, including for her children.
Sterling, who spent last season with Feyenoord, entered guilty pleas at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court to dangerous driving, possessing drugs and failing to supply a breath specimen when required.
Police footage and court evidence
Body-worn camera footage from the stop showed officers finding six nitrous oxide cartridges and a flattened balloon on Sterling’s lap. When one officer opened the vehicle door, Sterling was told he could leave the items where they were. He then moved them from his lap and placed them behind the seat.
Officers asked him to step out of the car and questioned who had been driving when the crash happened. Sterling did not respond, prompting an officer to note that he was declining to answer.
At the roadside, police asked Sterling for his name and age, told him to put down his phone and not to resist, before reading him his rights and arresting him.
In court, lawyer Simon Jones described Sterling as quiet, withdrawn and sluggish, though also restless and constantly moving. His eyelids were drooping, which was said to be consistent with either tiredness or drug intoxication.
Jones said Sterling complained of feeling very cold despite a heatwave that had brought temperatures of 33°C. The footballer was reportedly unable to carry out simple tests at the police station, including touching his nose with a finger and walking heel to toe.
SEO title: Raheem Sterling pleads guilty after M3 Lamborghini crash
SEO description: Raheem Sterling admits dangerous driving, drug possession and failing to provide a breath sample after an M3 crash in Hampshire involving nitrous oxide.
