Former English footballer Paul Gascoigne has stated that he is looking forward to getting on with his life, after being found “not guilty” of sexual assault. The 52-year-old former England midfielder, who is fondly called Gazza, was cleared of all charges which suggested that he kissed a stranger on a train from York to Newcastle in August 2018.
Gascoigne’s solicitor Imogen Cox read a statement on the former England footballer’s behalf, saying: “To have a sexual allegation for over 12 months has been tough. I am so glad I was finally able to put over my side of the story and that the jury came to the correct verdict. I am now looking forward to getting on with my life.”
Gascoigne himself then said: “I am off to the dentist.”
The English legend had tears in his eyes, as he was cleared of the charges against him. As he left the court, Gascoigne wiped his eye with a tissue thereafter hugging his agent. The honourable Teesside Crown Court heard the complainant was on a train in August 2018 when Gascoigne, who was loud and swearing, drunkenly sat down next to the victim. He tapped her on the arm, grabbed her by the cheeks and planted a sloppy kiss on her lips.
The victim was shocked and a fellow passenger challenged Gascoigne by saying, “What you have just done is sexual abuse.” The woman chose to keep her name undisclosed.
Police had later traced Gascoigne to a hotel back in Jesmond, Newcastle and he was arrested. The former footballer told the inquiring prior to his arrest: “I know what it is about, I kissed a fat lass.”
When the police officer presented evidence, Gascoigne said he was trying to reassure his alleged victim, after he claimed to have overheard someone say of her: “You do not want a photo with her, she is fat and ugly.”
The former Newcastle United star also spoke of his own struggle with his increasing weight. The 52-year-old also denied of being drunk at the time, telling the jury that he had to undergo an operation in Australia to have pellets implanted in his stomach which would make him “spew up” if he drank alcohol.
In her closing speech to the jury, Michelle Heeley QC, defending, told jurors the former footballer kissed a woman who was not expecting it and did not like it, but that did not make him a sex offender. Referring to the midfield superstar’s illustrious international career, she said a kiss could mean many things. She also included the fact that it could be a celebration “when you score one of the greatest goals England has ever seen, against Scotland in Euro ’96”.
During the trial, the defence had shown the jury pictures of Gascoigne kissing and being kissed by other people, including former footballers Steve Bull, Ian Wright, Ally McCoist and Wayne Rooney, as well Diana, the Princess of Wales. With that being said, it is really good and relieving to see that the former footballer has been cleared of all charges now. Time to celebrate this win!!
