Stormzy has been banned from driving.
The rapper, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Owuo Junior is charged with driving a Rolls Royce Wraith while using the hand-held device on Addison Road, west Kensington on March 7, 2024. During an appearance at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court in London on January 2, 2025, he was served with a nine month ban. He was caught by an off duty police officer.
The undercover officer knocked on his “tinted” passenger window and said “get rid of your tints and get off your phone.” He previously denied the offence but later admitted to using his phone. As well as his ban, he was ordered to pay a £2,010 fine which must be paid within seven days. The judge who sentenced the musician branded his actions as “dangerous” and “irresponsible.” The court heard that the Vossi Bop musician has amassed a staggering 15 points on his driving license.
Before Thursday’s hearing he had six points on his licence. District judge Andrew Sweet banned the rapper, who was not present in court. He said Stormzy’s driving record is “not good”. Peter Csemiczky, defending, the BRIT Award winning musician accepts responsibility and apologises. He added that the rapper has removed the tints.
Previously, he admitted driving a Lamborghini Urus which had front windows illegally tinted to only 4% light transmission, violating the 70% requirement. The vehicle’s use was dangerous and put “vulnerable road users at risk”, prosecutor Alice Holloway said on Thursday. Owuo was stopped by officers on Coombe Lane, Kingston upon Thames, at about 12.45pm on October 17 2023, having previously been warned about the windows.
Earlier this year, Stormzy’s lawyer asked the court to change the date of his hearing, which was set for October 16, in order to work around his schedule. His lawyer, Humzah Illyas said: “I do not have dates to avoid for my client given the nature of his job. Mr Owuo is an international musician and if there is a tour or show it creates incredible difficulties for him.”
“He has pleaded guilty on the windows and we will deal with that at the conclusion of the trial,” said bench chairwoman Deborah Draksmith. Meanwhile, Prosecutor Alice Holloway said: “This defendant is not here today and there are two matters. One is driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition with excessively tinted windows.
“He has pleaded guilty to that offence after initially pleading not guilty and the trial was listed for today. There is also a mobile phone driving offence and that is a not guilty plea and today’s hearing is to fix a trial date.” Reflecting on Illyas’ request to change the date, Ms Draksmith commented: “The bench are happy to grant that application, but you must inform your client that should he not turn up on the day of the trial it will go ahead in his absence.”
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