Harry Potter star Emma Watson faces hefty penalties for speeding on UK roads
Emma Watson has been caught breaking a major UK driving law in Oxford, with the actress now facing a court appearance next week.
The Harry Potter actress was recorded speeding at 38mph in a 30mph zone in the county, according to court records, with the star warned of hefty penalties.
The 35-year-old star, who portrayed Hermione Granger in the wizarding film series, now faces legal action for the traffic offence, with her sentencing taking place at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court.
The incident marks the latest driving-related issue for Watson, who has previously encountered problems with her vehicle.
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But under UK law, the actress could receive up to six points on her driving licence and face a maximum fine of £1,000 for the speeding violation.
Watson was caught travelling in her £30,000 Audi S3 when she was captured by a speed camera on a restricted road in Oxford.
The offence occurred in the city where the actress is reportedly pursuing doctoral studies at the university.
Court documents confirmed the details of the speeding violation, which will be addressed at her upcoming court appearance.
The sentencing hearing will take place next Wednesday and will determine the exact penalties Watson will face for breaking the law.
This represents a significant legal matter for the actress, who has maintained a lower public profile in recent years, with the speeding offence highlighting ongoing issues with her vehicle use in public spaces.
The speeding penalties Watson faces are standard in the UK, with drivers caught breaking the law facing up to three penalty points on their licence and a £100 fixed penalty notice.
However, Watson’s case appears to be proceeding through the court rather than being resolved through a fixed penalty.
This could result in more severe consequences, with magistrates able to impose up to six points on a driving licence for speeding offences.
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The maximum financial penalty for speeding in a 30mph zone stands at £1,000, with the exact fine typically depending on factors including the driver’s income and the severity of the offence.
These penalties form part of the UK’s efforts to enforce road safety and reduce speeding-related accidents in urban areas.
But this is not the first time Watson has encountered vehicle-related problems. In February last year, police impounded her Audi after she parked it illegally during a night out in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The actress had reportedly left the car blocking the entrance to a car park near a pub, which caused vehicles to be unable to exit.
As the Audi was being loaded onto a recovery truck, Watson reportedly pleaded with officers to stop her car being towed but was subsequently hit with a £192 fine.
Watson became one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actresses after starring in all eight Harry Potter films between 2001 and 2011.
Her last major film appearance was in 2019’s Little Women, after which she stepped away from the spotlight to pursue other matters.
Watson has also made headlines for her stance on transgender rights, having previously posted on X: “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are.”