Wednesday 31 August 2016

Woman No.2 Accused Of Blackmailing Rugby Star Danny Cipriani

A second woman accused of blackmailing rugby star Danny Cipriani for cash appeared in court for the first time today.

Violet Smith, 29, of Bath Road, Slough was sent by Wimbledon Magistrates Court to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on September 20.

She faces one count of blackmail in that between September 1 and October 31, last year, with a view to gain for herself or another or with intent to cause loss to another, made an unwarranted demand of money from Danny Cipriani with menaces.

Wearing a lacy black dress, she only spoke during the brief hearing to confirm her name, age and address.

Her co-defendant, 39 year-old Lisa Murphy, of Montgomery Way, Wootton, Northampton appeared last week on the same charge and was bailed to appear at the crown court on the same date.

Smith, who indicated a not guilty plea to the charge, was released on bail on condition she does not contact Cipriani or Murphy.

Roehampton-born Cipriani, 28, currently plays for Premiership team Wasps as fly-half or fullback.

The six-foot-one England international was educated privately at Wimbledon College prep school Donhead.

His mother Anne, who split with his Afro-Trinidadian father Jay soon after his birth funded Danny’s education by becoming a black taxi driver.

An all-round sportsman Cipriani played junior football for QPR, was offered youth terms by Reading FC and played schoolboy cricket for Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

He won 14 England caps between 2008 and 2015 and has also played for Melbourne Rebels and Sale Sharks.

Earlier this year he was convicted of drink-driving after crashing his Mercedes into a mini-cab after a night out and was banned for 18 months and ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £7,620 for being nearly twice the legal limit.


He has dated a host of famous women including Kelly Brook, Sky Sports’ Kirsty Gallagher, Katie Price, Cheeky Girl Monica Irimia and Aussie models Lara Bingle and Jesinta Campbell. 

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