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Sterling Pleads Guilty to Dangerous Driving After M3 Crash

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 6:08 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Sterling Pleads Guilty

Raheem Sterling pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after a May 28 single-vehicle crash on the M3.
The collision near the Minley interchange caused no injuries.
He admitted possessing six nitrous-oxide canisters, a Class C drug, for wrongful inhalation.
He appeared in a black suit at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on September 15 and refused to provide a specimen.
He is currently without a club after his short-term Feyenoord deal ended.

Summary

Defendant Gets Bail

He was released on unconditional bail after pleading guilty.
A driving disqualification was imposed pending sentencing.
He must appear in court again on 25 November.
Prosecutor Simon Jones cited emergency calls from 7:45 to 8:52 BST reporting dangerous driving.
Police recorded a negative breath test but a preliminary drug test indicated impairment.

History

Historical Context

On 2 March 2015 England and Wales amended the Road Traffic Act 1988, adding numeric drug-concentration offences that the Department for Transport described as near-zero-tolerance. The 2024 guilty plea of footballer Raheem Sterling for nitrous-oxide driving follows that framework; similar drug-driving concerns appear worldwide, with the 2013-14 U.S. roadside survey finding roughly 22 % of drivers tested positive for any drug.

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Sterling Pleads Guilty

Raheem Sterling pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after a May 28 single-vehicle crash on the M3.
The collision near the Minley interchange caused no injuries.
He admitted possessing six nitrous-oxide canisters, a Class C drug, for wrongful inhalation.
He appeared in a black suit at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on September 15 and refused to provide a specimen.
He is currently without a club after his short-term Feyenoord deal ended.

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