Sterling admits dangerous driving after Lamborghini crash

Former England forward Raheem Sterling pleaded guilty on Tuesday to dangerous driving, with a court told he was seen inhaling from a balloon while driving his Lamborghini before crashing on a motorway in May.

The 31-year-old also admitted possession of six nitrous oxide cannisters for wrongful inhalation and failing to provide a specimen for analysis when he appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court.

Sterling, who attended court wearing a black suit jacket, black trousers, black shoes and a dark top, was arrested after crashing on the M3 on the morning of May 28.

Police said no other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported.

But prosecutor Simon Jones told the court that witness Christopher Jennings, who was driving in parallel to Sterling's car, said "he was shocked by what he saw" and made clear "he sighted the defendant inhaling from the balloon".

Fiona Jennings, another witness on the M3 motorway said she saw a black Lamborghini ahead of her whose driving she described as "absolutely horrendous" and "swerving in and out of lanes", the court heard.

"She had genuine concerns the driver might kill someone," Jones said.

Sterling won 82 England caps, the last of which came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The winger, currently without a club, made his senior debut at Liverpool before joining Manchester City in 2015, winning four Premier League titles and other silverware at the Etihad Stadium.

He left for Chelsea in 2022 but subsequently fell out of favour and spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Arsenal.

Sterling joined Feyenoord on a short-term deal in February, playing eight times in the Eredivisie.