Former England international Raheem Sterling faces the possibility of a prison sentence after pleading guilty to three offences linked to a Lamborghini crash in Hampshire.
The 31-year-old appeared before Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, where he admitted charges of dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
The charges relate to a single-vehicle crash on the M3 near the Minley interchange on May 28.
Sterling was accused of driving dangerously across the M25, M3, A327 and Minley Road before crashing his Lamborghini Urus. No other vehicle was involved in the incident and no injuries were reported.
The court heard that witnesses had seen Sterling inhaling from a balloon while driving. Prosecutor Simon Jones said one witness had “genuine concerns the driver might kill someone” and described the former footballer’s driving as “absolutely horrendous”.
Sterling was also found in possession of six nitrous oxide canisters. Under UK law, nitrous oxide is classified as a Class C drug when possessed for wrongful inhalation.
His lawyer, Jason Bartfeld KC, told the court that Sterling had previously experienced an issue with nitrous oxide and had sought help to address it.
The court also heard that Sterling had no previous cautions or criminal convictions.
Magistrates have ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence report before Sterling returns to court on November 25, 2026.
At that hearing, magistrates will decide whether to sentence Sterling themselves or refer the case to the Crown Court.
Sterling is currently without a club following the end of his short-term spell with Feyenoord.
