Emma Watson's Driving Ban Sparks Meme Fest: ‘Gryffindor Loses Points'
Some fans were shocked to see Emma, who has maintained a clean and positive image for years, making headlines for a legal offence.
Emma Watson is back in the headlines, not because of her new project, but for a legal offence. The 35-year-old British actress, known for playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, has been banned from driving for six months. As caught on camera, she was seen driving her car at 38 mph in a 30 mph zone in Oxford, England. The court ruling comes a year after the incident, which happened in July 2024.
The latest development has become a topic of discussion among people on the internet, sparking mixed reactions. Some fans were shocked to see Emma, who has maintained a clean and positive image for years, making headlines for a legal offence. Another section praised the court for treating each citizen equally, regardless of their popularity and status. Many users also pointed out that Emma was penalised after repeated traffic violations, while others supported the decision, calling it an example of justice.
On Wednesday, July 16, the magistrate officially suspended her license. Before her latest offence, the Beauty and the Beast actress already had nine penalty points on her driving record. This resulted in a six-month automatic driving ban. In addition to the ban, she has been ordered to pay a total of £1,044 in fines by the High Wycombe Magistrates' Court.
Although Watson did not appear in person for the brief five-minute hearing, her lawyer, Mark Haslam, was present and confirmed that the actress had the means to pay the fine. 'She is in a position to pay the fine," he told the court.
The incident also sparked a meme fest on social media, with one even referencing the Harry Potter films, saying, 'Gryffindor loses 12 points! Emma Watson banned from driving for six months due to speeding."
Gryffindor loses 12 points! Emma Watson banned from driving for six months due to speeding 格蘭芬多扣12分！女星愛瑪沃森超速駕駛 被判停牌6個月 https://t.co/Mv9oDKAywb — DotDotNews (@dotdotnews111) July 17, 2025
Another showed Emma riding a broomstick. The user wrote, 'Emma Watson for those 6 months."
Emma Watson for those 6 months 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/fpNQqDdtWe — The Immortal (@TheImmortal007) July 16, 2025
A different fan added, 'If she were paying attention in Madam Hooch's class, this wouldn't have happened."
If she was paying attention in madam Hooch's class this wouldn't have happened. 😂— Turnbuckle Telegram (@TurnbuckleTG) July 16, 2025
'If driving over 8 mph, the speed limit gets a ban from driving, I'd be in prison for life in the UK. Joke country," said another user.
Emma, who is currently pursuing a master's degree in creative writing at the University of Oxford, has not released any statement regarding the court's latest ruling.
First Published:
July 17, 2025, 18:16 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
5 Vanessa Kirby performances you must watch before Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theatres
Vanessa Kirby is entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Sue Storm, aka Invisible Woman, in Fantastic Four: First Steps, but for fans who cannot wait till the film hits theatres, her past work is already a cinematic feast. From period dramas to explosive action blockbusters, the British actress has built an impressive resume over the last decade. Whether she is playing a rebellious royal or a cunning arms dealer, Kirby's performances are nothing short of captivating. Here are five roles that prove she has always had the power, even before joining the MCU. The Crown (2016–2017) Playing Queen Elizabeth II's younger sister in the first two seasons of Netflix's The Crown, Kirby gave us a version of Princess Margaret that was raw, rebellious and endlessly stylish. The role earned her an Emmy nomination and turned her into a global name. Even if you are not into monarchy drama, her emotional complexity will have you hooked. Pieces of a Woman (2020) Kirby gave one of the most gut-wrenching performances of her career as Martha, a grieving mother navigating unimaginable trauma. Her role in Pieces of a Woman earned her an Academy Award nomination and praise for portraying emotional pain with authenticity and restraint. It is a tough watch, but an essential one. The World to Come (2020) In this underrated indie gem, Kirby plays Tallie, a woman trapped in a toxic marriage who finds solace and love in an unexpected friendship with another farmer's wife. The chemistry, the heartbreak, the poetry of it all, The World to Come is a slow-burn masterpiece that lets Kirby's emotional range shine. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) Kirby joined the Mission: Impossible franchise in its sixth instalment as Alanna Mitsopolis, aka the White Widow, a seductive, calculating arms dealer. Paired against Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt, Kirby brought a sleek confidence and mystery to the role that made her unforgettable in a film packed with stunts and spectacle. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (2023) Her White Widow returned in Dead Reckoning with more screen time and an even more nuanced edge. Kirby added emotional stakes and charm to the high-octane chaos, proving she can hold her own in a franchise built on adrenaline. It is her best action performance yet, until Marvel, that is.
India.com
2 hours ago
- India.com
Hardik Pandya And Jasmin Walia Unfollow Each Other On Instagram, Breakup Rumours Intensify Post-Divorce
India's flamboyant all-rounder Hardik Pandya and British-Indian singer Jasmin Walia have set social media abuzz after eagle-eyed fans noticed the duo no longer follow each other on Instagram. The digital snub has sparked intense breakup rumours, especially as it comes months after speculation around their alleged romance had reached fever pitch. Despite neither Hardik nor Jasmin ever officially confirming a relationship, their repeated public sightings—especially Jasmin's visible support during Hardik's matches—fueled rumours of a budding romance. With their social media activity now pointing toward a possible fallout, the internet has gone into overdrive. Romance Rumours Began After Hardik's Divorce From Natasa Stankovic The talk of a potential relationship between Pandya and Walia surfaced soon after the cricketer and actress Natasa Stankovic publicly announced the end of their four-year marriage. The couple, who share a son, Agastya, issued a heartfelt joint statement last year, emphasizing their commitment to co-parenting with mutual respect and love. Hardik's personal life, already a subject of public fascination, saw increased attention when Jasmin was spotted not only in the stands during key IPL fixtures but also inside the Mumbai Indians' team bus—an access generally reserved for close friends or family. Adding to the intrigue, the two were reportedly seen vacationing together in Greece, sharing cryptic yet parallel snapshots from the same scenic locations. Instagram Unfollow: Reddit Sparks the Fire The breakup chatter intensified after a Reddit post flagged the couple's mutual Instagram unfollowing. 'Did Hardik Pandya and Jasmin Walia unfollow each other? I saw it recently—they're not following each other anymore. What's going on?' the post read. The post quickly went viral, with fans dissecting every digital breadcrumb—from archived stories to old likes and comments. While neither party has made an official comment, the move has led many to believe the alleged relationship may have run its course. Hardik Pandya Steps Out in Style Amid Speculation Amid the social media storm, Hardik Pandya made a solo public appearance at the airport, turning heads with his effortless style. Dressed in a white tee, patterned blazer, light trousers, and crisp white sneakers, the Indian cricketer exuded calm confidence. A light-colored hat and dark sunglasses added to the suave ensemble, making it one of the most talked-about celebrity airport looks of the week. Whether intentional or coincidental, Hardik's appearance sent a clear message—he's focused, composed, and unbothered by the noise surrounding his personal life. Who Is Jasmin Walia? A Quick Look at the Star Linked to Hardik Jasmin Walia is no stranger to the spotlight. A British singer, actress, and reality TV star, she gained popularity with her hit track 'Bom Diggy' alongside Zack Knight, which later featured in the Bollywood blockbuster Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. Walia first stepped into the limelight with The Only Way Is Essex and later became a prominent figure on social media through her bilingual music covers and original singles. Known for her glamorous persona and wide fanbase in both the UK and India, Jasmin brought an international flair to Hardik Pandya's high-profile cricketing world.
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
Microsoft server hack hit about 100 organizations, researchers say
A sweeping cyber espionage operation targeting Microsoft server software compromised about 100 organizations as of the weekend, two of the organizations that helped uncover the campaign said on Monday. Microsoft on Saturday issued an alert about 'active attacks' on self-hosted SharePoint servers, which are widely used by organizations to share documents and collaborate within organizations. SharePoint instances run off of Microsoft servers were unaffected. Dubbed a 'zero-day' because it leverages a previously undisclosed digital weakness, the hacks allow spies to penetrate vulnerable servers and potentially drop a backdoor to secure continuous access to victim organizations. Vaisha Bernard, the chief hacker at Eye Security, a Netherlands-based cybersecurity firm, which discovered the hacking campaign targeting one of its clients on Friday, said that an internet scan carried out with the Shadowserver Foundation had uncovered nearly 100 victims altogether – and that was before the technique behind the hack was widely known. 'It's unambiguous,' Bernard said. 'Who knows what other adversaries have done since to place other backdoors.' He declined to identify the affected organizations, saying that the relevant national authorities had been notified. The Shadowserver Foundation confirmed the 100 figure. It said most of those affected were in the United States and Germany, and the victims included government organizations. Another researcher said that, so far, the spying appeared to be the work of a single hacker or set of hackers. 'It's possible that this will quickly change,' said Rafe Pilling, director of Threat Intelligence at Sophos, a British cybersecurity firm. Microsoft said it had 'provided security updates and encourages customers to install them,' a company spokesperson said in an emailed statement. It was not clear who was behind the ongoing hack, but Alphabet's Google, which has visibility into wide swaths of internet traffic, said it tied at least some of the hacks to a 'China-nexus threat actor.' The Chinese Embassy in Washington didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment; Beijing routinely denies carrying out hacking operations. The FBI said on Sunday it was aware of the attacks and was working closely with its federal and private-sector partners, but offered no other details. Britain's National Cyber Security Center said in a statement that it was aware of 'a limited number' of targets in the United Kingdom. A researcher tracking the campaign said that the campaign appeared initially aimed at a narrow set of government-related organizations. The pool of potential targets remains vast. According to data from Shodan, a search engine that helps to identify internet-linked equipment, over 8,000 servers online could theoretically have already been compromised by hackers. Shadowserver put the number at a little more than 9,000, while cautioning that the figure was a minimum. Those servers include major industrial firms, banks, auditors, healthcare companies, and several U.S. state-level and international government entities. 'The SharePoint incident appears to have created a broad level of compromise across a range of servers globally,' said Daniel Card of British cybersecurity consultancy PwnDefend. 'Taking an assumed breach approach is wise, and it's also important to understand that just applying the patch isn't all that is required here.'
