Stormzy Banned from Driving for Nine Months Over Mobile Phone Use
British rapper Stormzy has been handed a nine-month driving ban after being caught using a mobile phone while behind the wheel of a Rolls-Royce in London. The incident occurred in March 2024 on Addison Road in West Kensington when an off-duty police officer spotted the 31-year-old artist, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Owuo Junior.
According to Wimbledon Magistrates' Court, the officer knocked on the car's tinted passenger window and told Stormzy to "get rid of your tints and get off your phone." Initially denying the offence, Stormzy later changed his plea to guilty via a letter submitted to the court. District judge Andrew Sweet criticised the rapper's actions as "dangerous and irresponsible" and noted his driving record was already "not good."
Before this case, Stormzy had accumulated six points on his licence for previous speeding offences. In addition to the driving ban, six more points were added to his licence, and he was fined £2,010. The rapper was not present in court during the hearing.
Stormzy’s legal troubles also include an October 2023 incident involving his Lamborghini Urus. Officers stopped the vehicle in Kingston upon Thames for having illegally tinted front windows, which allowed only 4% light transmission—far below the legal limit of 70%. The court heard that he had been warned about the issue prior to the stop.
His solicitor, Peter Csemiczky, stated that Stormzy accepted full responsibility and had since removed the tints from the Lamborghini. However, prosecutor Alice Holloway highlighted the risks, calling the vehicle's condition "dangerous" and a hazard to "vulnerable road users."
Despite the legal consequences, Stormzy has expressed remorse for his actions. His solicitor assured the court that the rapper apologises for both incidents and understands the seriousness of the offences.
