Stormzy Banned from Driving for Mobile Phone Use

 

British rapper Stormzy, real name Michael Ebenazer Owuo Junior, has been banned from driving for nine months after an off-duty police officer caught him using a mobile phone while driving a Rolls-Royce Wraith in London.

The 31-year-old artist pleaded guilty via a written letter to driving while using a device on Addison Road, West Kensington, in March 2023. The case was heard at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court, where District Judge Andrew Sweet criticized Stormzy's actions as "dangerous and irresponsible." The judge also noted that Stormzy's driving record was "not good," as he already had six points on his licence from previous speeding offenses.

Prosecutor Alice Holloway told the court that an off-duty officer spotted Stormzy using his phone and knocked on the vehicle’s tinted passenger window, warning him to “get rid of your tints and get off your phone.”

Initially, Stormzy denied using his mobile phone while driving but later changed his plea via a letter to the court.

The court also heard of a separate incident in October 2023, when Stormzy was stopped while driving a Lamborghini Urus in Kingston upon Thames. Officers discovered that the car’s front windows were illegally tinted, allowing only 4% light transmission, far below the legal requirement of 70%. Prosecutors argued that the vehicle’s condition posed a risk to vulnerable road users.

Stormzy was previously warned about the illegal tint but continued to drive the car without making the necessary adjustments. When stopped by officers on Coombe Lane, he admitted responsibility and later removed the tints.

Peter Csemiczky, defending, stated that Stormzy had accepted full responsibility for both offenses and expressed regret for his actions.

As a result of the two incidents, Stormzy was fined £2,010, and six additional points were added to his license. This brought his total penalty points to 12, triggering the mandatory nine-month driving ban. Stormzy, who did not attend court in person, apologized through his solicitor.

The ban and fine serve as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the consequences of disregarding driving regulations, particularly for public figures who serve as role models.