Raheem Sterling Pleads Guilty to Three Charges After Hampshire Crash
Former England winger Raheem Sterling has admitted three offences after a serious road collision in Hampshire, with sentencing postponed until November while pre-sentence reports are prepared.
The 31-year-old entered guilty pleas at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court to dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide and failing to provide a specimen. The case relates to an incident on 28 May, when his Lamborghini Urus struck a metal gate after reports of erratic driving on the M25 and M3.
Police located the damaged car near the Minley interchange. Six nitrous oxide canisters were found in the vehicle, while bodycam footage released after the incident appeared to show Sterling seated with canisters and a deflated balloon on his lap before trying to place them on the rear seat.
Prosecutors told the court that roadside checks did not detect alcohol, cannabis or cocaine. Sterling nevertheless declined to give a blood sample, having requested that his solicitor attend first, despite being informed that the investigation could not wait.
He later said that he was exhausted and disorientated after having been unable to sleep the previous night. His barrister, Jason Bartfeld KC, told the court there was extensive personal mitigation and said Sterling had taken voluntary action to deal with his difficulties.
Amid the attention surrounding the case, Sterling posted a short message on Instagram: “Progress over perfection.”
A career currently on hold
The proceedings come at a difficult point in Sterling’s playing career. The 2014 Golden Boy winner was one of English football’s leading attackers during seven years at Manchester City, where he won four Premier League titles, five League Cups and the FA Cup under Pep Guardiola. He was also selected as City’s Player of the Year in 2019.
His moves after leaving the Etihad did not bring the same level of success. Spells with Chelsea and Arsenal proved underwhelming, before he joined Feyenoord in the Netherlands. He played eight times for the Dutch club last season and subsequently left without a contract.
Sterling remains a free agent as he awaits his return to court later this year. With his sentence still to be decided and his recent playing record limited, his search for a new club is likely to remain uncertain.
