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Danny Cipriani guilty of drinking and driving | Danny Cipriani guilty of drinking and driving |
(35 minutes later) | |
England rugby star Danny Cipriani has been found guilty of drinking and driving after his Mercedes crashed into a minicab following a night out. | |
Westminster Magistrates' Court heard the Wasps fly-half was so drunk his eyes were "glazed" after the smash on Imperial Road, Fulham on 1 June 2015. | Westminster Magistrates' Court heard the Wasps fly-half was so drunk his eyes were "glazed" after the smash on Imperial Road, Fulham on 1 June 2015. |
The 28-year-old was found to be over twice the drink-drive limit. | The 28-year-old was found to be over twice the drink-drive limit. |
He was ordered to pay a total of £7,620 in fines and costs and banned from driving for 18 months. | He was ordered to pay a total of £7,620 in fines and costs and banned from driving for 18 months. |
Cipriani had admitted be drunk two espresso martinis and a glass of champagne less than an hour before he was arrested, but claimed he was "shocked" when he was told he was over the limit. | |
His lawyer had tried to get the charge dismissed, claiming there was not "sufficient" evidence as the breathalyser was not working properly. | |
But Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle said he was "satisfied" the machine had given a "correct reading". | |
"There is ample evidence from independent witnesses that Mr Cipriani showed signs of being affected by alcohol," he said. | |
Solicitors for the player, who was at Sale Sharks at the time, said they would launch an appeal. | |
"Mr Cipriani maintains his innocence and has always disputed being the cause of an accident," they said. | |
Cipriani, of Raynes Park, had been celebrating with other players in Chelsea after an England XV thrashed the Barbarians on 1 May. | |
He was found to have 67 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath when his car collided with a taxi and he was arrested. | |
The legal limit to drive in England and Wales is 35 micrograms. |