Stripper spared jail for blackmailing Wasps’ rugby ace Danny Cipriani
A STRIPPER who blackmailed rugby star Danny Cipriani after aborting his baby was spared jail yesterday.
Lisa Murphy (L) was spared jailed despite blackmailing Danny Cipriani (R)
Lisa Murphy, 39, and her friend Violet Smith, another exotic dancer, bombarded the England player with demands for money.
They threatened to publicly expose Cipriani, 29, if he failed to hand over £15,000.
Murphy and Smith, 29, were given 22-month jail sentences, suspended for two years, at Kingston Crown Court, in southwest London.
Exotic dancer Violet Smith (pic) helped Lisa Murphy blackmail Mr Cipriani
The women, who worked at a “gentleman’s club” near St Albans, admitted blackmail.
I’m satisfied Lisa Murphy was desperate and suffering from the emotional consequences of her condition
Murphy aborted Cipriani’s baby in 2015 after a casual relationship.
She later ran into health and financial difficulties and asked the Wasps fly-half for money. When Cipriani provided none, Murphy enlisted Smith’s help in threatening to sell her story, the court was told.
Judge Peter Lodder stressed that blackmail normally carries a prison sentence.
'Murphy was desperate and suffering from the emotional consequences of her condition', says Judge
Danny Cipriani makes immediate impact for England
He said Cipriani had “repeatedly” offered to help Murphy but “did not act according to his promises”.
The judge went on: “I’m satisfied Lisa Murphy was desperate and suffering from the emotional consequences of her condition.
“I’m satisfied Violet Smith was motivated by concern.” He added: “Nobody has come out of this episode well.”
The court heard that bachelor Cipriani offered to pay for an abortion but Murphy had it on the NHS
The court heard that bachelor Cipriani offered to pay for an abortion but Murphy had it on the NHS. Nigel Mitchell, for Smith, of Slough, said neither woman had considered their actions criminal.
Mother-of-one Murphy, of Wootton, Northampton, said: “I have been let down by people I trusted.”
Cipriani has dated Kelly Brook, Katie Price and Kirsty Gallacher.