England Rugby Star Danny Cipriani Pleads Guilty To Assault

He was arrested after an incident outside a Jersey nightclub.
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England rugby star Danny Cipriani has pleaded guilty at Jersey Magistrates’ Court to charges of common assault and resisting arrest following an incident in a nightclub on the island.

The 30-year-old fly half appeared at Jersey Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning.

He has been fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £250 compensation to a female  police officer.

The rugby player had been in Jersey for pre-season preparations with his new club Gloucester, who he joined earlier in the summer.

The club’s chief executive Stephen Vaughan said he will receive Gloucester’s “full support” after admitting assault.

The England rugby player was charged with resisting arrest, common assault, larceny, and being disorderly on licensed premises.

The latter charges were dropped.

Cipriani, wearing an open-necked checked shirt, kept his head down as he emerged from court.

He ignored reporters’ questions before getting in to a waiting car.

He was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday after the incident outside a club in St Helier, the island’s capital.

In a statement, Vaughan said: “We are very proud of the culture we have within the group and the stated values which we strive to deliver against. Incidents of this nature are very disappointing to be associated with, and we will deal with it in a robust but balanced way but based purely on the facts.

“As a high profile sportsperson there is often a large degree of public and media scrutiny involved, which Danny is well aware of.

“The incident in question was over in a matter of seconds and was a reaction to the conduct of other parties involved.

“He knows his responsibilities and is aware of the impact of this type of incident on the club. However, Danny is a Gloucester Rugby player and will receive our full support as we focus on the exciting season ahead.”