Singer and actress Kate Nash has been handed a court penalty of over £1,000 after missing a speeding ticket while away on tour, leading to a criminal prosecution.
The 37-year-old artist, best known for her 2007 hit song “Foundations” and her role in the Netflix series GLOW, was caught driving a Subaru at 25mph in a 20mph zone on the A41 in Hampstead last September.
The Metropolitan Police initially offered her a £100 fine and a place on a speed awareness course. However, Nash missed the notification, which was sent to her North London home while she was touring across the UK, Europe, and the US.
Court imposes maximum fine
After failing to respond to the original penalty notice, Nash was prosecuted in court. Despite making a last-minute plea to pay the initial fine, magistrates at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court ruled against her.
She was ordered to pay a £666 fine, a £266 victim surcharge, and £100 in court costs, bringing her total penalty to £1,032—more than ten times the original fine.
Kate Nash’s defence: ‘I was away on tour’
In a letter to the court, Nash explained that she had been touring extensively following the release of her new album in June 2024. She claimed she was unaware of the penalty as her post was not being opened by anyone while she was away.
“I have been unable to meet the timelines for paying the fine as I have been away from home,” she wrote.
Nash outlined her packed schedule:
- In late September, she was preparing for the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Germany.
- She then rehearsed for her US tour, which began on 10th October in Philadelphia and lasted a month.
- After returning to the UK on 10th November, she immediately began rehearsals for her UK tour, followed by promotional events and further performances across the UK, Ireland, and Europe until 19th December.
She said that although the original penalty notice was addressed to her partner, Thomas Silverman, she promptly responded to confirm she was the driver. However, the follow-up letter arrived while she was still on tour, leaving her unable to act in time.
“I was asked to pay a fine and do a speed awareness course, which I indicated I was happy to do, but by the time I had received the letter I was advised it was too late to respond,” she stated.
“I have tried as soon as I was aware of this to pay the fine and would be happy to attend a speed awareness course. I appeal to you to accept my plea for mitigating circumstances and allow me to pay the fine that was due originally.”
Magistrates reject plea, issue fine based on earnings
Despite Nash’s request for leniency, Magistrate Priscilla Rogan rejected her plea. Under the Single Justice Procedure, Nash was convicted in private and sentenced accordingly.
Court documents suggest the magistrate assessed Nash’s earnings and imposed the maximum £1,000 fine, which was reduced by a third due to her guilty plea.
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In addition to the financial penalty, Nash was given three penalty points on her driving licence.
She now has 28 days to settle the £1,032 total court bill.
Financial struggles and the cost of touring
The court case adds to the financial challenges Nash has previously spoken about.
Last year, she revealed that touring has become financially unsustainable, with artist fees failing to keep pace with rising festival and ticket costs.
To support herself, Nash has turned to OnlyFans, selling images of her bottom to fund her music career. She has also campaigned for fairer pay for artists, arguing that musicians are struggling to make ends meet despite high ticket prices for fans.
Her financial concerns make the hefty speeding fine even more significant, as she faces yet another unexpected expense.
What’s next for Kate Nash?
Despite the court setback, Nash remains focused on her music and activism.
She continues to use her platform to highlight industry inequalities, calling for better financial support for musicians.
While her latest legal troubles may be an unwelcome distraction, they underscore the broader struggles independent artists face in balancing their careers, finances, and personal lives.
