Rapper Stormzy, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Owuo Junior, has been banned from driving for nine months after being caught using a mobile phone while driving his Rolls-Royce in London.
The 31-year-old artist pleaded guilty via a letter for the offense, which took place on Addison Road, West Kensington, in March of the previous year.
District judge Andrew Sweet criticized Stormzy’s “dangerous and irresponsible” actions, noting his driving record was “not good.” The court was informed that Stormzy already had six points on his licence from previous speeding offences.
Stormzy’s solicitor confirmed at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court that his client accepted responsibility for his actions.
The court heard that an off-duty officer knocked on Stormzy’s tinted passenger window and instructed him to “get rid of your tints and get off your phone.”
Initially, Stormzy had denied the charge but later wrote to the court to change his plea.
In a separate incident, he had admitted to driving a Lamborghini Urus with front windows illegally tinted to only 4% light transmission, far below the 70% requirement.
Prosecutor Alice Holloway stated that the vehicle’s use was dangerous and posed a risk to “vulnerable road users.”
On that occasion, Stormzy was stopped by officers on Coombe Lane, Kingston upon Thames, at around 12:45 on 17 October 2023, after previously being warned about the tinted windows.
Peter Csemiczky, defending, said his client had apologized and removed the tints.
In addition to the driving ban, the judge fined Stormzy £2,010 and added six more points to his licence.
