Chart-topping rapper Russ Millions was yesterday banned from driving his expensive first car after police caught him at the wheel while nearly three times the cannabis limit.
Court Date: Millions
The 27 year-old, whose 2021 hit ‘Body’ was the first drill rap single to reach Number One had splashed out on a blue BMW X6 Series with his recording earnings.
His debut hit 2018’s ‘Gun Lean’ was the first of the genre to break the top ten and Millions’ video performance inspired a dance craze, particularly mimicked by football star Jesse Lingard.
Another motorist reported him to the police for allegedly cutting him up in south-east London and a policeman detected a strong smell of cannabis and Millions was arrested.
He appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Monday under his real name Shylo Millwood, where he was disqualified from driving for twelve months, fined £1,000, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £400 surcharge.
Millions pleaded guilty to driving in Mottingham Road, Mottingham on March 1, with a THC cannabinol reading of 5.8 micrograms per litre of blood - the legal limit is 2.0.
He also pleaded guilty to driving in breach of his licence, namely without L-plates and driving without insurance.
“It was his first car and he took it out with a family member in his fifties and if he had L-plates he would have been fine,” said Colin Witcher, defending.
“The other vehicle’s driver pointed him out, claiming he had been cut up near the petrol station and it is correct Mr Millwood had consumed cannabis earlier that day.
“His mother is in court to support him and has taken the day off work and she has expressed her frustration at his behaviour.
“He was lining-up to have a driving test and had a nice new car, which his mother will now be driving exclusively. The car was to have given him the freedom he wanted.”
The court heard Deptford-born Millions, of Birdham Close, Bickley, Bromley draws down £1300 per week from his management accountants.
“As far as his family are concerned their attitude is ‘it’s your mess, you pay, you face the consequences.’
“It will have consequences,” added Mr Witcher. “He is not proud of it and wants to put it behind him.”
Prosecutor Sophie Young told the court it was 5.10pm when Millions was pointed-out to police by another motorist while behind the wheel of the BMW.
“He referred to an earlier incident and a police national computer check showed this defendant only had a provisional licence and was not displaying any L-plates.
“When the officer spoke to Mr Millwood there was a strong smell of cannabis and a roadside drugs swipe was requested.
“This was initially refused and he was arrested. He then consented to the test and it was returned positive.”
Blood test analysis later revealed the true cannabis reading.
Millions has previous convictions for possessing heroin and cannabis in 2016 and possessing cannabis in 2017, plus a record of failing to comply with court community orders.
District Judge Sarah Turnock told him: “You have pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and have pleaded guilty without the full papers being served on you, so are deserving of full credit.
“I am aware of the journey you were taking that day, but you have to display L-plates and be incredibly careful about insurance policies, which can be incredibly complicated.
“If you are still smoking cannabis you should know it remains in your system for a long time, it may even still be in your system for a week.
“If this happens again within the next ten years the minimum disqualification will be three years.”
‘Body’ was also a number One in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland and Millions enjoyed a further top ten hit with Keisha & Becky’ in 2019.
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