Paul Gascoigne trial: Former footballer denies sexual assault over train incident

Ex-England player will stand trial in January

Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has denied sexually assaulting a woman on board a train.

The 51-year-old was arrested on 20 August at Durham station and last month British Transport police said he had been charged with one count of sexual assault by touching.

At Peterlee Magistrates’ Court, south of Newcastle, Gascoigne entered a “not guilty” plea.

District Judge Kristina Harrison 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?”

Jolyon Perks, prosecuting, replied: “Yes.”

In November a statement from British Transport Police said: “Paul Gascoigne, of Amy Street, Leicester, was charged via postal requisition with one count of sexual assault by touching, contrary to Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

“The charge relates to an incident on board a train on August 20 this year.”

Following the seven-minute hearing Gascoigne was granted unconditional bail and he will stand trial at Teeside Crown Court on 8 January 2019.

As he left the courtroom, a woman in the waiting area asked Gascoigne, who was wearing sunglasses, a blue suit, a pale blue shirt and brown and cream shoes, for a selfie.

The former footballer played 57 times for the England between 1988 and 1998, scoring 10 goals.

In his club career the midfielder had spells at Newcastle, Tottenham, Lazio and Rangers.

In the later parts of his career and into his retirement, Gascoigne’s life became dominated by issues surrounding substance abuse, spending several spells in rehab battling drug and alcohol addiction.

Agencies contributed to this report