TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former England footballer Raheem Sterling pleaded guilty to dangerously driving a Lamborghini on a motorway before crashing it, according to the BBC and The Guardian.
Sterling appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, where he also admitted to possession of six nitrous oxide canisters for wrongful inhalation, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
The 31-year-old attended the court wearing a black suit jacket, black trousers, black shoes, and a dark top, ESPN reported.
Arrested for Dangerous Driving
Sterling was arrested on May 28, after crashing his Lamborgini near the M3 in Hampshire. In the morning between 7:45 a.m. and 8:52 a.m. local time, the police received multiple calls reporting dangerous driving.
According to dashcam footage provided by one witness, Sterling's £270,000 Lamborghini was seen swerving between lanes and almost colliding with the central reservation. Citing The Guardian, witnesses reported to have seen the driver "inhaling balloons" while driving.
The court heard that Sterling's car veered off the carriageway on the A327 near the Minley interchange in Hampshire, crashing into "roadside infrastructure" in a layby.
All four tires of his car were blown out, with "substantial" damage to the body of the car, which prevented Sterling from driving further. No other vehicles were involved in the crash and no injuries were reported.
When police arrived at the scene, Sterling was in the passenger seat of the car with two nitrous oxide canisters on his lap. Prosecutor Simon Jones said Sterling appeared keen to move a deflated balloon from beside him on to the back seat, based on body-worn footage from attending officers.
Jones said a witness told police about "absolutely horrendous driving" and that she "had genuine concerns the driver might kill someone."
Sterling complied with a breath and preliminary drug test at the scene, which resulted in negative cannabis or cocaine use. But he refused to provide a sample of blood for further examinations.
He's facing a two-year maximum prison sentence, but The Guardian noted that a sentence of 12 to 18 months is more likely. Mitigating factors could suspend the sentence.
District judge Kirsty Allman ordered a pre-sentence report to be carried out before the next hearing on November 25, where she will determine whether to sentence at the magistrates' court or send it to crown court.
Sterling was released on unconditional bail and has been disqualified from driving in the interim.
Raheem Sterling's Football Career
Sterling scored 20 goals across 82 appearances for England, the last of which was won at the 2022 World Cup. He also helped the team reach the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the final of Euro 2020.
He made his senior debut in Liverpool, before moving to Manchester City in 2015 and won four Premier League titles, five League Cups and the 2019 FA Cup, according to ESPN.
He left for Chelsea in 2022 and made 59 league appearances—including a season-long loan at Arsenal in 2024.
He joined the Dutch club Feyenoord on a short-term deal after leaving Chelsea in January. He is currently without a club.
In the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours, Sterling was made an MBE for services to racial equality in sport.
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