This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50068077
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Paul Gascoigne cleared of sex assault on train | Paul Gascoigne cleared of sex assault on train |
(32 minutes later) | |
Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has been cleared of sexually assaulting a woman on a train. | |
The 52-year-old had been accused of "forcefully and sloppily" kissing the fellow passenger on a service from York to Newcastle in August 2018. | The 52-year-old had been accused of "forcefully and sloppily" kissing the fellow passenger on a service from York to Newcastle in August 2018. |
Mr Gascoigne wept in the dock and thanked the jury to cheers of "yes" from the public gallery as the verdict was announced. | |
He was also cleared of the lesser charge of assault by beating. | |
Clearing Mr Gascoigne, Judge Peter Armstrong said: "You are now discharged and free to go." He was told he could apply to have his defence costs paid. | |
Leaving Teesside Crown Court, the former Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton midfielder thanked the judge and his dentist - an apparent reference to evidence earlier in the trial about him not having his false teeth in when he was on the train. | |
'Peck on the lips' | |
In a statement, his solicitor said Mr Gascoigne was "glad it's over so he can get on with his life". | |
He added: "The charge hanging over him was tough." | |
The former player had told the court he gave the woman a "peck on the lips" to "boost her confidence" after he heard a male passenger call her overweight. | |
The trials and tears of Paul Gascoigne | |
However, prosecutor William Mousley had told the jury that Mr Gascoigne had "lied, and lied, and lied" during the trial, which heard he had been drunk on board the train. | |
But Michelle Heeley QC, defending, said the former player had no sexual intention. | But Michelle Heeley QC, defending, said the former player had no sexual intention. |
She said: "In his own naive way, he thought he was making a larger woman have more body confidence. | |
"It's a clumsy way to go about building someone's confidence, but it was not sexual." | "It's a clumsy way to go about building someone's confidence, but it was not sexual." |
Jurors were handed a file of photos showing Mr Gascoigne kissing and being kissed by famous footballers and fans. | Jurors were handed a file of photos showing Mr Gascoigne kissing and being kissed by famous footballers and fans. |
A photo of him kissing Diana, Princess of Wales, was also shown to the jury. | A photo of him kissing Diana, Princess of Wales, was also shown to the jury. |
Ms Heeley read out character references from former professional boxer Ricky Hatton and Mr Gascoigne's former agent Mel Stein. | Ms Heeley read out character references from former professional boxer Ricky Hatton and Mr Gascoigne's former agent Mel Stein. |
Mr Gascoigne broke down as he told the court about what happened on the journey from Birmingham to Newcastle, on 20 August last year. | Mr Gascoigne broke down as he told the court about what happened on the journey from Birmingham to Newcastle, on 20 August last year. |
'Drunken state' | 'Drunken state' |
The former footballer, who had been travelling with his nephews, said while passengers were asking for selfies and autographs he heard a man say about a passenger: "What do you want a photo of her for? She's fat and ugly." | The former footballer, who had been travelling with his nephews, said while passengers were asking for selfies and autographs he heard a man say about a passenger: "What do you want a photo of her for? She's fat and ugly." |
Mr Gascoigne told the jury he had previously had trouble with his weight and "automatically" went to sit next to the woman to reassure her. | Mr Gascoigne told the jury he had previously had trouble with his weight and "automatically" went to sit next to the woman to reassure her. |
He said he told her: "You're not fat and ugly, you're beautiful." | He said he told her: "You're not fat and ugly, you're beautiful." |
Mr Gascoigne was in a "drunken state" when he was arrested, the court was told. | Mr Gascoigne was in a "drunken state" when he was arrested, the court was told. |
British Transport Police PC Robert Moody said Mr Gascoigne had been drinking beer in a hotel lobby when he arrived to arrest him. | British Transport Police PC Robert Moody said Mr Gascoigne had been drinking beer in a hotel lobby when he arrived to arrest him. |
PC Moody said he had spoken to him before travelling to the hotel, telling jurors Mr Gascoigne had said: "I know what it's about, I kissed a fat lass." | PC Moody said he had spoken to him before travelling to the hotel, telling jurors Mr Gascoigne had said: "I know what it's about, I kissed a fat lass." |