Salman Rushdie son's wedding in doubt after drink-driving conviction

The wedding of Salman Rushdie’s son to soprano Natalie Coyle was today thrown into doubt after he was convicted of drink-driving.

Zafar Rushdie was found “asleep” at the wheel of his BMW after driving home from drinks at more than twice the alcohol limit, a court heard.

The 35-year-old PR company boss was banned from the road for 17 months after pleading guilty yesterday. He was also handed a £620 fine, which he paid on the spot.

The Satanic Verses author’s son became engaged to Coyle, 25 — the only soprano to have sung at Wembley Stadium on four occasions — in July and the couple planned to marry in New York next September.

But his solicitor warned that a conviction would hamper travel to the US.

Magistrates in Highbury were told Rushdie was spotted slumped over the wheel at traffic lights 100 yards from their flat in Hampstead on August 1.

Emily Maunders, prosecuting, said officers following in a marked police car knocked on the window of his BMW X5 when the lights outside the Royal Free hospital turned green twice and the vehicle made no attempt to move. She said: “The defendant was described as either being asleep or having a medical episode.

“They banged on the window and there was no response. They continued on four or five occasions.

“He then appeared to wake, and he appeared confused and under the influence.”

Rushdie was taken into custody, where a test revealed he had 182mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, against a legal limit of 80mg.

Mark Haslam, a leading criminal defence lawyer, pleaded for leniency.

Mr Haslam told the court that the author’s eldest son, who founded celebrity talent agency Rushdie Media, had been suffering “personal relation problems” on the night and was “tired” from raising money for charity.

Mr Haslam said: “I do ask you to undertake a balancing exercise in balancing his good character. There is a personal issue, travel to the US would be a trouble.”

Chairman of the bench Mark Beattie said: “There is no discretion of this court, we must disqualify you.”