Harry Potter actress Emma Watson has been handed a driving ban at High Wycombe Magistrates Court today after pleading guilty to speeding.
The 35 year old actress, who is actively involved in climate change activism, earlier this year admitted to driving at 38mph in a 30mph zone. She was driving her Audi S3, which was towed away last year after being illegally parked, when her car was caught by a camera on Banbury Road, Oxford.
Harry Potter star’s quiet life after turning back on acting
After shooting to mass fame following her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies, Emma has opted to live a quieter life in recent years.
Emma continued to take on acting jobs after the Harry Potter movie series wrapped with roles in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Disney’s live action remake of Beauty and the Beast and the 2019 adaption of Little Women. However, in December 2023, she shared with Vogue she was “so glad” to have taken a step back from acting.
Sharing her decision behind the move, Emma said at the time: “I have this feeling of having my own voice and creative space and sovereignty in some way that I don’t think I did before — more autonomy.” Emma added: “I’m so glad that I allowed things to be messy for a minute and to really allow myself to not know [what’s next], because the knowing that I’ve come to, I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”
After completing a degree in Enligh literature at Brown University in the US in 2014, Emma decided to return to her studies and is currently studying a DPhil (University of Oxford’s equivallent of a PhD) in creative writing at the prestigious university.
Actress’ Harry Potter co-star handed driving ban at same court on same day
Emma isn’t the only Harry Potter star to have been handed a driving ban at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court today.
In a seperate hearing at the same court today, Zoe Wanamaker, who starred in Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone in 2001 as teacher Madam Hooch, was also handed a six month driving ban and fined £1,044.
The 76-year-old drove her blue Volvo at 46mph in a 40mph limit, the court heard.
Both Watson and Wanamaker had nine points on their licences before the speeding incidents occurred.
Neither attended their short hearings.
Emma’s Audi S3 was towed before speeding incident
The actress’ Audi S3 sports car was towed away by police in February 2024, months before she was caught speeding in Oxford.
Emma’s car, worth roughly £30,000, was towed away by police after he was parked illegally. It was reported at the time she failed to notice the ‘No Parking’ sign while she parked her car and met up with her mum at a pub across the street.
A local pizza restuarant manager’s car was reportedly trapped inside a gated compound behind Emma’s car. The restuarant manager’s car was said to have been stuck for three and half hours – as he reportedly embarked on a desperate search for the owner of the Audi S3, before calling police for help, who eventually towed the car.
Emma came out of the pub and found cops towing her car and appealed for them to let the car go – but her pleas were unsuccessful and she was handed a £192 fine.
At the time, Warwickshire Police confirmed that “a report of a blue Audi S3 parked across a driveway and blocking in two cars on High Street near the junction with Sheep Street in Stratford.
“The report was made at 9.42pm and the car was impounded and taken away at 10.21pm.
“No crime was recorded.”
After the incident, Emma made light of the incident. She wrote online: “Still searching for parking in Stratford upon Avon. Merchant of Venice v good if you can still get tickets.”
Emma Watson already had nine points on her licence before ban
The court heard today that the actress already had nine points on her licence before the speeding incident last year, which took place on July 31 in Oxford.
Emma Watson banned from driving
The actress has been handed a six month driving ban in court this morning, after admitting to speeding. She did not attend court this morning but was represented in court by Mr Wilson, who said she “fully understands and accepts her punishment”.
Harry Potter star caught speeding
Emma Watson hearing today
Source: Mirror
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