Raheem Sterling, the former Chelsea, Manchester City and England forward, has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide and failing to provide a specimen after a prolonged episode of reckless driving on the M25 and M3. He was disqualified from driving and bailed until 25 November, when he will either be sentenced or have his case referred to the crown court, with a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment, though 12 to 18 months, potentially suspended, is considered more likely.

The incident occurred on 28 May, shortly after Sterling returned to England following a loan spell at Feyenoord, when police received multiple calls reporting his £270,000 Lamborghini swerving between lanes on the motorway while he inhaled nitrous oxide balloons. The car eventually veered off the A327 near Minley, Hampshire, blowing all four tyres, and body-worn police footage showed Sterling in the passenger seat with canisters on his lap before he confirmed he had been driving. He failed several roadside impairment tests, disclosed to staff that he had "a problem with nitrous oxide", and later refused to give a blood sample despite repeated warnings, though a saliva test found no cannabis or cocaine.