Gazza charged with train sex attack after he ‘touched woman’
EX-FOOTBALLER Paul Gascoigne has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman on a train.
The 51-year-old former Rangers star was arrested for allegedly touching the woman while travelling from York to Durham.
He was held at Durham railway station on August 20. After a three-month investigation, British Transport Police said yesterday that he had been charged with sexual assault.
Gascoigne, who wept as England were beaten in the 1990 World Cup semi-final, claimed on Twitter that he had stepped in to comfort a woman after she was called ‘a fat cow’.
He also claimed police who arrested him asked for selfies and autographs. He tweeted: ‘I’ve been charged with a sexual assault from four months ago plus the police who charged me asked me for selfies and an autograph... I’m my own lawyer, I did f*** all wrong’.
Both tweets were deleted minutes later. In further tweets, Gascoigne said he was hurting ‘deep inside’ and was ‘crying his eyes out’. He claimed he was accused ‘for caring for someone that got called a fat cow’.
He added: ‘I do not accuse, abuse or use women. I’ve soooo much respect for women.’ He also wrote on Facebook: ‘I deny this offence but on the advice of my legal team I will not comment any further at this stage.’
Gascoigne’s manager Shane Whitfield said the former Newcastle and Spurs player will continue to make public appearances ahead of a court date next month.
Mr Whitfield added: ‘He totally denies this and is 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.’
The manager added: ‘Paul says he didn’t assault any passenger on a train.
‘But 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’s got work commitments to fulfil.’
Mr Whitfield said Gascoigne was due to front an Evening With Gazza event in Nottinghamshire next month ‘and he plans to be there.’
Gascoigne, who now lives in Leicester, has battled alcoholism and suffered poor mental health in the past. He is due to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court in County Durham on December 11.
Police strongly denied claims officers had asked for selfies and autographs.