Rangers Player Banned from Driving After Drink Driving Crash
Rangers footballer Dujon Sterling has received a 12-month driving ban after crashing his car while nearly three times over the legal drink driving limit.
The 26-year-old had played in the Rangers side that defeated Celtic 3-1 at Parkhead on 3 January 2024.
In the early hours of 4 January, Sterling was behind the wheel of his grey Mercedes AMG GLE 63. He was observed driving erratically through Glasgow city centre before colliding with a barrier near the M8 motorway.
At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Sterling was fined £2,250 and banned from driving for one year.
The court was informed that Sterling, who resides in the Dowanhill area of Glasgow, was found to be almost three times over the legal alcohol limit.
Following the incident, Sterling was temporarily banned from driving and received a financial penalty from Rangers Football Club.
Sterling participated in a match against Hearts on Monday night, scoring Rangers' only goal in a 2-1 defeat.
He pleaded guilty to careless driving, having initially faced a charge of dangerous driving, and also admitted to a separate charge of drink driving.
The court heard that a witness saw Sterling's Mercedes collide with the barrier and alerted the police.
"Officers observed the collision as described with the front bumper submerged into the crash barrier."
"Officers saw Sterling outside the vehicle on his mobile phone and they approached him."
"He said that he did not suffer any injuries. He said that he lost control, veered towards the barrier and crashed into it."
Police officers noted that Sterling appeared to be in a "dazed condition," which led to him being taken to a police station.
A breathalyser test revealed Sterling had 60 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 22 micrograms.
He was arrested and held in custody until deemed fit to leave.
CCTV footage showed Sterling driving around the Royal Exchange Square and Queen Street areas of Glasgow city centre at 01:13, narrowly missing a vehicle turning into a lane.
"Sterling's vehicle swerved from the lane in an attempt to prevent a crash."
He was also seen driving in an "uncontrolled" and "erratic manner," changing lanes without signalling and coming close to a moving vehicle.
Sterling had to brake heavily to avoid hitting a stationary car at the junction of Hope Street and Sauchiehall Street.
He was observed driving on the wrong side of the road at significant speed before the collision at 01:30, which was not captured on camera.
Lindsay said Sterling contacted the police and informed them that he was in a collision.
Details of Road Conditions and Court Proceedings
The road was reported to be dark but illuminated by street lighting, with icy conditions underfoot.
The charge stated Sterling drove at excessive speed for the road conditions, as determined by footage rather than a speedometer reading.
Defence lawyer Ronnie Simpson told the court:
"The entire incident lasted eight or nine minutes from the beginning of the footage until the collision which took place."
"At the time, he was celebrating the successful conclusion of his day at his place of work."
"He is under no illusion that he should not have been driving and had been punished by his employer which was a financial penalty as a result of this incident."
"He accepts he should not have been behind the wheel of the car that evening."
"My client is a first offender and is very remorseful for his actions. He is not someone who will be before the court again."
Sterling was initially disqualified from driving between January and April 2024 but was permitted to resume driving following a court hearing last month. Simpson confirmed Sterling has not driven since the collision.
The sheriff offered Sterling the option to undertake a drink driving rehabilitation course, which upon completion would reduce his driving ban.
Rangers Football Club Response
A spokesperson for Rangers stated:
"Rangers notes today's court judgment."
"As we have said previously, the club takes road safety matters seriously and is clear that standards of behaviour apply to everyone representing Rangers FC."
"The matter has been addressed internally, with appropriate action taken, and a contribution made to charity."
