DCU actor Matthias Schoenaerts sentenced to six months for driving without a license

Belgian actor Matthias Schoenaerts, known for his recent role in the DC Universe, has been sentenced to six months in prison for driving without a valid license.

The 47-year-old actor received the sentence from the police court in Beringen, Belgium, and was also fined €4,000 and issued a one-year driving ban.

Schoenaerts was arrested last week in Pelt after allegedly refusing to take a breathalyser test while riding his motorbike. Authorities confirmed that he did not possess a valid driving license at the time of the arrest. This sentence stems from multiple prior incidents, including previous traffic violations.

The court noted that Schoenaerts had been banned from driving in Antwerp in September 2021 due to drug use while driving. He was required to complete compulsory recovery tests and retake his driving exams but failed to do so. Police records indicate that Schoenaerts has been convicted 11 times in the past by a police court.

The actor did not appear in court for the Beringen hearing and was sentenced in absentia. While the prison sentence has been issued, Schoenaerts can appeal, meaning he will not necessarily serve time immediately. He is also required to retake all mandatory driving tests.

Authorities emphasized that his recent arrest in Pelt, when he allegedly refused a breathalyser test, is separate from the Beringen conviction. Schoenaerts’ uncooperative behavior during the stop further compounded the situation, but the sentencing primarily addresses his repeated failure to hold a valid license.

Schoenaerts, who has gained attention in the DC Universe for his latest roles, now faces legal consequences that may impact both his personal and professional life, while the appeal process remains ongoing.