Stormzy has received a driving ban lasting nine months.
The 31-year-old grime artist was issued a nine-month driving prohibition on Thursday at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court after being apprehended by an off-duty police officer for utilizing a mobile phone while operating a vehicle in West Kensington, London.
Stormzy, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Owuo Junior, submitted a written plea of guilty for engaging with the device while driving his Rolls-Royce Wraith on the afternoon of 7 March 2024.
In addition to the driving ban, Stormzy, who was absent from court, incurred a fine of $2,490 (£2,010), and six points were assigned to his driving record.
During the court proceedings on Thursday, it was reported that the off-duty officer approached the chart-topping rapper’s tinted windows before instructing him to “remove your tints and cease using your phone.”
District Judge Andrew Sweet remarked that Stormzy’s driving history was “not favorable,” as he already had six points on his record due to prior speeding infractions, and he condemned his actions as “dangerous and irresponsible.”
The Vossi Bop hitmaker eventually pleaded guilty after initially contesting the allegation of phone usage while driving.
Stormzy had earlier acknowledged operating a Lamborghini Urus with front windows that were illegally tinted, permitting only 4% light passage, thereby violating the mandated requirement of 70%. The rapper had previously received warnings concerning the tints.
According to the BBC, Peter Csemiczky, representing Stormzy, expressed an apology to the court on his client’s behalf and affirmed that he accepted accountability for his conduct. The Shut Up hitmaker has also had the tints removed from his vehicle windows.
