Paul Gascoigne arrives in court as jury set to consider train 'sex assault' verdict today
PAUL Gascoigne has today arrived in court where a jury is set to consider whether the former England star sexually assaulted a woman on a train.
The 52-year-old allegedly kissed a woman "very forcibly on the lips" before forcing his tongue into her mouth as they travelled on a train.
He claims he was trying to give the woman a "confidence boost" after she was branded a "fat lass" on the service from York to Durham on August 20 last year.
The former Tottenham midfielder momentarily broke down in tears as he took to the witness stand at Teesside Crown Court yesterday to deny the kiss was sexual.
He said: “I get kissed all the time. If that’s the case I’ve been sexually harassed for the last 20 years.”
KISSING ROYALTY
Jurors were shown a video of Gascoigne kissing Princess Diana, Wayne Rooney and a host of other celebrities.
Former welterweight champion boxer Ricky Hatton, who has been pals with Gascoigne for a number of years, defended the footballer.
He said: "He is very tactile when he meets me, he rushes over and gives me a hug and sometimes kisses me on the cheek, that is the way he has always been."
Top football agent Mel Stein also gave a character reference as he recalled the ex-Newcastle star greeting a rabbi's wife with a hug and kiss at a bar mitzvah.
I get kissed all the time. If that’s the case I’ve been sexually harassed for the last 20 years
Gascoigne earlier said he has an instinct to "automatically protect" those who are called fat after he was branded "fat b*****d" and battled bulimia in his playing days.
The Geordie had been "shouting and swearing" behind the woman and had asked if she was a fortune teller, Teesside Crown Court heard.
He told the jury he stuck up for her after cruel passengers branded her "fat and ugly".
The retired footballer says he sat next to her and told her: "Listen, you're not fat and ugly" then kissed her on the lips.
'LITTLE PECK'
He said the kiss itself was "just a little peck" and that no tongue had been involved.
Gascoigne had a beer in his hand when he was later arrested at a hotel and told a cop: "I know what it's about, I kissed a fat lass."
He claimed he had not been drinking heavily and any impression he had been slurring his words was because he did not have his false teeth in.
Midfielder Gascoigne earned 57 caps for England during his international career and was branded one of the greatest players of his generation.
He famously broke down in tears at the 1990 World Cup after receiving a yellow card in the semi-final with West Germany – meaning he would not play if England reached the final.
During his career, Gazza enjoyed successful stints at Tottenham, where he helped the team win the FA Cup in 1991, Lazio, Rangers and Middlesbrough.
The ace also played for Everton and later had spells at Burnley and Boston United.
But following retirement, Gazza battled alcohol problems – although has since turned his life around.
Gascoigne denies one count of sexual assault by touching.
The trial continues.
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