Football legend in court over alleged sexual assault with train passenger

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 20 August while travelling from York to Newcastle. 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.

District Judge Kristina Harrison, sitting at Peterlee Mag- 0 Paul Gascoigne denies kissing the woman on a train

istrates’ Court, asked if alternatives to the charge had been considered.

She said: “The prosecution have considered the charge and have subjected it to review and at the present time the prosecution are satisfied sexual assault is the appropriate charge?”

Prosecutor Jolyon Perks replied: “Yes.”

Gascoigne, who played for Newcastle United, Spurs, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton, entered a not-guilty plea.

He elected for a Crown Court hearing.

He had previously protested his innocence on Twitter, saying he had stepped in to comfort a woman after she was called a “fat cow”.

Gascoigne, living in Leicester, was granted unconditional bail to appear at Teesside Crown Court on 8 January.