Gazza’s bizarre outburst in dock as he denies sex attack
‘I have done nothing wrong’
PAUL Gascoigne pleaded not guilty to sexual assault on a train yesterday as he told a judge he was ‘worried to bits’.
The former England star appeared visibly upset and was ordered to be quiet after he repeatedly interrupted the 15-minute court hearing to protest his innocence.
Gascoigne, 51, denies kissing a woman without her consent on a train which was travelling from York to Newcastle on August 20 last year.
During the hearing at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Simon Bourne-Arton had to tell Gascoigne to keep quiet. The footballer first called out from the dock when he was told he would face trial in October, saying: ‘My lord, can I say something? I’m worried to bits, I’m scared.’
The judge told him: ‘Be quiet, Mr Gascoigne, be quiet.’
Gascoigne responded: ‘I’m sorry my lord, I apologise. Your honour, can I say something? Yesterday I had 20 photos taken. I’m tired, I’m sorry.’
He later raised his hand in the dock and said: ‘My lord, can I speak please?’ Despite the judge replying ‘No’, Gascoigne continued: ‘The guy that arrested me, all he talked about was football, autographs and selfies.’
Judge Bourne-Arton reminded him: ‘You have a solicitor and you have a QC, they will look after your interests.’
After the judge said he must turn up at court on October 14, Gascoigne replied: ‘I will do, your lord. I cannot wait. I have done nothing wrong.’
Gascoigne, wearing a blue suit and an open neck shirt, had stated his nationality as ‘English, protestant’ when asked.
He was granted unconditional bail. As he left the dock, Gascoigne put on dark sunglasses and said: ‘It’s a shame they did not play Smooth Radio,’ before thanking the judge.
Outside the court he was pictured hugging and kissing a member of his security team.
Earlier, Gascoigne was pictured wearing a wig belonging to barrister Robert Mochrie in an apparent breach of the Criminal Justice Act 1925, which bans photography inside court buildings. Mr Mochrie posted the picture on his Facebook page with the caption: ‘Standing in court. Next minute I’m hugged and kissed by this legend.’
Gascoigne was arrested at Durham station and charged with one count of sexual assault by touching after allegedly kissing a woman without her consent on the train at Darlington. He appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court in December and elected to be tried by a jury.
Gascoigne, who played for Newcastle, Tottenham, Lazio and Rangers, has told of his battles with alcoholism and poor mental health in the past.