Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne leaves Stevenage Magistrates Court yesterday.
London Evening Standard/London
Paul Gascoigne was ordered to pay out more than £1,000 yesterday after he admitted drunkenly grabbing a railway ticket collector by the neck.
The former England football star, who has battled alcoholism for many years, attacked Jack Sherrington at Stevenage station on July 4.
He had been travelling from Newcastle to King’s Cross when train staff noticed he appeared to have been drinking, Stevenage magistrates heard.
When he left the train, Sherrington tried to help him into a wheelchair as he was having difficulty standing, and staggering towards the track.
But prosecutor Elaine McMillan said: “He was abusive towards Sherrington. He ended up grabbing hold of Sherrington to the neck ... his shirt was held tightly towards his throat. That lasted a few seconds.”
Another staff member contacted Gascoigne’s former wife Sheryl and his two children. The court heard the youngest was “extremely upset” by the incident.
The former Newcastle United and Spurs midfielder was arrested at about 10.30pm and spent a night in the cells before being released on bail.
In court yesterday, Gascoigne, 46, spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address before pleading guilty to common assault and drunk and disorderly behaviour.
A charge that he attacked Sheryl was dropped at the start of proceedings.
Gavin Harris, defending, said his client apologised repeatedly after the attack. He said Gascoigne had been visiting his father, who has a heart condition, and the stress had prompted him to drink — which affected him more than normal as he had not drunk “in a long time”.
Harris said Gascoigne had also been in pain due to a hip operation. A letter from the Providence Project described his “superb progress” with its alcohol treatment programme.