England rugby star Danny Cipriani has been found guilty of drinking and driving at Westminster Magistrate's Court on Friday (June 24).

The fly-half was alleged to have had "glazed eyes" and smelt of alcohol when he was arrested in Imperial Road, Fulham shortly after 5am on June 1 last year.

The Wasps player, then with Sale Sharks, was breathalysed after the crash and found to have 67 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath, twice the drink-drive limit.

Cipriani, of Raynes Park, Merton, was ordered to pay a total of £7,620 in fines and costs. He was also banned from driving for 18 months.

Cipriani claimed he was "shocked" that the breathalyser was positive, despite admitting he had drunk two espresso martinis and a glass of champagne less than an hour earlier.

His case has been long and protracted after his lawyer, Philip Lucas, tried to get it dismissed , arguing there was not "sufficient" evidence that the test in the police station was working properly.

READ MORE:Danny Cipriani's lawyer fails in bid to have drink drive trial thrown out

Chief magistrate Howard Riddle said: "I am satisfied so that I am sure that the breathalyser test machine was working properly, gave a correct reading and on that basis the verdict is guilty."

Cipriani's solicitors announced that he will appeal against the judgment.

Jeanette Miller, of Geoffrey Miller Solicitors, said: "I can confirm our intention to lodge an immediate appeal against the verdict delivered in today's trial R v Daniel Cipriani.

"Mr Cipriani maintains his innocence and has always disputed being the cause of an accident which led to proceedings against him, as well as the allegation that he was over the legal drink-drive limit - either at the time of alleged driving, or on his arrival at the station, or at the time of the breath test - an assertion supported by the evidence of three forensic experts.

"The case has been riddled with inconsistencies, failings to disclose evidence and decisions made on evidence that, in our view, were insufficient to secure a conviction.

"We will now seek an urgent appeal and are confident that justice will be done."

"Ample evidence from independent witnesses"

Mr Riddle said: "There is ample evidence from independent witnesses that Mr Cipriani showed signs of being affected by alcohol.

"We have the account from the other driver... there is the evidence of the police officers. There is no reason to believe they had anything against Mr Cipriani."

He added that the "position is simple" and the reading was given "following correct procedure on an approved machine at a police station".

He said: "I am sure the machine was operating reliably, and I am sure that the lower reading in breath was 67."

Cipriani had been out drinking and eating sushi with other players at Eight Over Eight in Chelsea after England won against the Barbarians at Twickenham on May 31 last year.

Cipriani had two espresso martinis and a vodka cranberry at dinner, between 8.30pm and midnight. He then went to a club for around half an hour, before going to a friend's house. He left at 4am to have breakfast.

The rugby 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.

Cipriani said: "I was not drunk, I felt fine." He also denied speeding.

He appeared in court wearing a blue suit, shirt and tie and did not react as the verdict or sentence was announced.