WPC was so brave to tackle Cipriani... he’s twice her size
Bouncer on rugby star’s nightclub row
THE doorman attacked by Danny Cipriani has paid tribute to the courageous policewoman who took on the burly rugby union star.
Grandfather Joaquim Pereira, 63, was assaulted by the enraged 6ft 1in England star and had his body camera snatched after a row over drinks.
He said PC Jodie Botterill confronted Cipriani but he grabbed her collar and arm and shouted “get the f*** off me”.
She fell down and hurt her neck, face and arm but managed to restrain him with two other officers.
Mr Pereira said: “The policewoman confronted him on her own, taking on someone more than twice her size. She is tiny, but incredibly brave and very courageous. That should be recognised.”
Cipriani, 30, was held for two nights after the incident, which began at 1am on Wednesday outside the Little Drift nightclub, part of the Royal Yacht Hotel where Mr Pereira is head doorman.
He said some of Cipriani’s friends were refused entry so he tried to take drinks from the club out to them.
“I said ‘I’m sorry, you can’t, it’s against the rules’,” Mr Pereira said.
“I was just doing my job. I didn’t know who he was. “He had turned up earlier with about 20 rugby players. We have to think of our guests so I only let three of them in because they were with a long-standing and respected customer.”
Mr Pereira, five inches shorter than Cipriani, said the star became abusive so he turned on his body camera.
He said: “He said things I would not like to repeat. I told him I needed to turn my camera on because of his behaviour.
“Then he sort of panicked. He snatched my tie, which is a clip on, from my shirt and ran away, so I reported it to the policewoman.” Cipriani, believed to earn £300,000-ayear from new side Gloucester, was fined £500 for assaulting Mr Pereira and £1,500 for resisting arrest. He was also ordered to pay Miss Botterill, who once played football for Wales, £250 by Jersey magistrates court and will have to compensate Mr Pereira. He later issued a grovelling apology, writing: “I’m mortified that I acted in a way that I hugely regret. I am truly sorry.” Mr Pereira added: “He never apologised to me. But there are no hard feelings. I’m sure he is not a bad guy.”