Gascoigne denies sex assault on train
FORMER England footballer Paul Gascoigne has appeared in court to deny sexually assaulting a woman by kissing her on a train.
The 51-year-old was arrested on August 20 while travelling from York to Newcastle and last month British Transport Police said he had been charged with one count of sexual assault by touching.
The alleged incident was said to have happened at Darlington and was to have involved him kissing a woman over the age of 16 on a train.
Gascoigne, who played for Newcastle United, Spurs, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton, among other clubs, entered a “not guilty” plea in a clear voice at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court.
The alleged offence can be dealt with by either magistrates or a judge and jury and Gascoigne elected for a Crown Court hearing.
He had previously protested his innocence on Twitter. Following a seven-minute hearing, Gascoigne was granted unconditional bail to appear at Teesside Crown Court on January 8.
The former star arrived in a black Mercedes minivan with at least three security staff and did not say anything as he arrived. He was surrounded by photographers as he walked in to court.