Cipriani’s ‘shock’ at being over drink-drive limit
AN ENGLAND rugby player was “shocked” to discover he was over the drink-drive limit, despite having had two espresso martinis and a glass of champagne less than an hour earlier, a court heard.
Danny Cipriani allegedly had “glazed” eyes and smelt of alcohol when he was arrested after his Mercedes collided with a taxi in Fulham, west London, short- ly after 5am on June 1 last year, Westminster magistrates’ court was told.
The fly-half, who plays for Wasps, was breathalysed and found to have 67 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath – nearly twice the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
Cipriani admitted he had been out drinking and eating sushi with other players in Chelsea after England’s win over the Barbarians. But he claimed he felt “fine” and was not drunk, even after he drank more alcohol with a 4am breakfast.
The court heard he had two espresso martinis and a vodka cranberry at dinner, between 8.30pm and midnight. Cipriani then went to a club for around half an hour, before going on to a friend’s house.
He left at 4am to have breakfast. “I had three hours sleep, I woke up and I felt all right,” he said.
The player said he had a fry-up, as well as a “small champagne flute” and two more espresso martinis, within 45 minutes, before getting a cab to his car.
The court heard that he was allegedly “slurring”, and driving at speed before the crash, which wrote off his Mercedes. Cipriani said: “I was not drunk, I felt fine.”
He also denied he had been speeding.
Katie Weiss, prosecuting, asked what impact any conviction would have on his career and suggested: “It would stop you playing for your country.” He replied: “Depends on the coach.”
Cipriani, 28, of Raynes Park, south-west London, denies drink-driving. Judge Howard Riddle reserved judgment until Friday.