GAZZA SEX ASSAULT CHARGE
DEVASTATED Paul Gascoigne protested his innocence yesterday after being charged with sexually assaulting a woman on a train.
The former England footballer is due to appear in court next month in connection with one charge of “sexual assault by touching” three months after he was detained at Durham railway station in August.
However, the 51-year-old said anyone who knew him “would know it is not true” and claimed the charges arose after he had been approached for a selfie on the York to Durham train on August 20.
“What do I do when a woman wants a selfie and a kiss on my cheek?” he wrote on Twitter.
“Do I say oh that’s a sexual assault, if so, I’d be in court for the rest of my life.”
He later added: “I’m just sad about it as I respect all women.
“I’ve a mam, two sisters, two nieces, a daughter, so why assault.
“Just so pleased that everyone know, they know it’s not true.”
He claimed the British Transport Police who questioned him about the incident “asked for a selfie, and if he missed football” – a claim categorically denied by the officers.
Drugs
Gazza, who now lives in Leicester, said they were only doing their job but that “deep inside I’m hurting”.
He again made reference to the case and stated he had done “**** all wrong”, in a message that was later deleted.
Gascoigne’s agent Shane Whitfield, said the star intended to deny the allegations and stressed that he was “innocent until proven guilty”.
“People are always trying to accuse him of some wrongdoing and put him down. It’s unfair. He’s staying strong because he’s innocent,” he said.
“I don’t know what happened but Paul says he didn’t assault any passenger on a train.
“He’s been charged and he’ll have to go to court. Hopefully it won’t set him back. He’s told me he’s innocent.”
He said his client has several upcoming commitments and will be speaking about his life at next month’s Evening With Gazza in Nottinghamshire.
Gascoigne told followers on Facebook: “I deny this offence but on the advice of my legal team, I will not comment any further at this stage. Love GAZZA XXX.”
The talented Gateshead-born midfielder rose to fame at Newcastle United in the 1980s before moving to Tottenham Hotspur. He found worldwide fame during his appearances for England at the World Cup 1990. He later played for Italian club Lazio, Glasgow Rangers, Everton and Middlesbrough but his career was dogged with claims of alcohol abuse and he retired from football in 2004.
However, he appeared to be making some progress in his long-running battle with his addiction to drink and drugs earlier this year.
He made a series of personal appearances during the World Cup, and spoke about how England had come close to glory following the team’s semi-final defeat to Croatia in Moscow.
But he was forced to leave Sky’s Soccer AM show in August because he was unwell. He denied that he had been drinking and blamed his health problems on sleeping tablets.
Gascoigne is due to appear at Newton Aycliffe magistrates, Co Durham, on December 11. He faces a maximum sentence of 26 weeks jail.