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England rugby star Danny Cipriani 'shocked' over positive drink-drive test | England rugby star Danny Cipriani 'shocked' over positive drink-drive test |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Rugby star Danny Cipriani was "shocked" when he found out he was over the drink-drive limit following a collision, a court was told. | Rugby star Danny Cipriani was "shocked" when he found out he was over the drink-drive limit following a collision, a court was told. |
The England player had drunk two espresso martinis and a glass of champagne less than an hour earlier, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. | The England player had drunk two espresso martinis and a glass of champagne less than an hour earlier, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. |
He was said to have had "glazed eyes" and smelt of alcohol when he was arrested after his Mercedes collided with a minicab in London last June. | He was said to have had "glazed eyes" and smelt of alcohol when he was arrested after his Mercedes collided with a minicab in London last June. |
He denies drinking and driving. | He denies drinking and driving. |
The Wasps fly-half, then playing for Sale Sharks, was breathalysed following the collision shortly after 05:00 BST on 1 June. | The Wasps fly-half, then playing for Sale Sharks, was breathalysed following the collision shortly after 05:00 BST on 1 June. |
He was found to have 67 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit to drive in England and Wales is 35 micrograms. | He was found to have 67 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit to drive in England and Wales is 35 micrograms. |
'Felt fine' | 'Felt fine' |
Giving evidence, the 28-year-old admitted he had been out drinking and eating sushi with other players at Eight Over Eight in Chelsea after an England XV match against Barbarians. | Giving evidence, the 28-year-old admitted he had been out drinking and eating sushi with other players at Eight Over Eight in Chelsea after an England XV match against Barbarians. |
Mr Cipriani, from Raynes Park in south-west London, scored two tries and 10 conversions in the 73-12 win at Twickenham stadium. | Mr Cipriani, from Raynes Park in south-west London, scored two tries and 10 conversions in the 73-12 win at Twickenham stadium. |
The court was told he had two espresso martinis and a vodka cranberry at dinner between 20:30 and midnight, but he said he felt "fine" and was not drunk. | The court was told he had two espresso martinis and a vodka cranberry at dinner between 20:30 and midnight, but he said he felt "fine" and was not drunk. |
Asked if the meal had lined his stomach, he replied: "Well, we had a lot of rice, some dim sum. I eat a fair bit. We probably had double orders on what we were having." | Asked if the meal had lined his stomach, he replied: "Well, we had a lot of rice, some dim sum. I eat a fair bit. We probably had double orders on what we were having." |
Afterwards, he went to a nightclub for about 30 minutes before going to a friend's house. | Afterwards, he went to a nightclub for about 30 minutes before going to a friend's house. |
"I had three hours sleep, I woke up and I felt all right," he said. | "I had three hours sleep, I woke up and I felt all right," he said. |
The player left at 04:00 to have breakfast, which consisted of a fry up, a "small champagne flute" and two more espresso martinis. He then got a cab to his car. | The player left at 04:00 to have breakfast, which consisted of a fry up, a "small champagne flute" and two more espresso martinis. He then got a cab to his car. |
The court heard Mr Cipriani looked "crestfallen" when he was arrested after the collision at 05:15 on Imperial Road in Fulham. | The court heard Mr Cipriani looked "crestfallen" when he was arrested after the collision at 05:15 on Imperial Road in Fulham. |
He accused the private hire driver, Muhammad Qasim, of hitting his car, which was written off as a result of the collision. | He accused the private hire driver, Muhammad Qasim, of hitting his car, which was written off as a result of the collision. |
The court heard he was allegedly "slurring" and driving at speed before the crash. | The court heard he was allegedly "slurring" and driving at speed before the crash. |
But he denied speeding and added: "I was not drunk, I felt fine." | But he denied speeding and added: "I was not drunk, I felt fine." |
'Did not seem drunk' | 'Did not seem drunk' |
When prosecutor Katie Weiss asked him how he felt about the positive results of road-side test, he replied: "I was shocked at the fact that it was over [the limit]." | When prosecutor Katie Weiss asked him how he felt about the positive results of road-side test, he replied: "I was shocked at the fact that it was over [the limit]." |
The player was then asked about the impact a conviction would have on his career. | The player was then asked about the impact a conviction would have on his career. |
He replied that it would be difficult for him to get to training and that it depended on the coach as to whether it would stop him playing for England. | He replied that it would be difficult for him to get to training and that it depended on the coach as to whether it would stop him playing for England. |
Defending, Philip Lucas said the player had been cautioned in the past, for having an "article with intent to damage or destroy property". He said the item had been an egg. | Defending, Philip Lucas said the player had been cautioned in the past, for having an "article with intent to damage or destroy property". He said the item had been an egg. |
The court was also read a statement from Mr Cipriani's England team-mate, Christian Wade, who confirmed the drinks Mr Cipriani claimed to have had, but said the vodka was consumed at the second venue, not at dinner. | The court was also read a statement from Mr Cipriani's England team-mate, Christian Wade, who confirmed the drinks Mr Cipriani claimed to have had, but said the vodka was consumed at the second venue, not at dinner. |
"I know Danny well and he did not seem drunk to me at all. If he had, I would have called him a cab." | "I know Danny well and he did not seem drunk to me at all. If he had, I would have called him a cab." |
Senior District Judge Howard Riddle has reserved judgment until 24 June, telling Mr Cipriani: "I really have got to think about this. That is why I can't give you an answer today - I regret that." |