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| Paul Gascoigne admits harassing ex-girlfriend | Paul Gascoigne admits harassing ex-girlfriend |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Ex-England footballer Paul Gascoigne has pleaded guilty to harassing his former girlfriend and assaulting a "paparazzi" photographer. | |
| The 48-year-old posted a number of abusive tweets about Amanda Thomas, Bournemouth Magistrates' Court heard. | The 48-year-old posted a number of abusive tweets about Amanda Thomas, Bournemouth Magistrates' Court heard. |
| He also admitted assaulting photographer Steven Shepherd and damaging his £200 glasses. | He also admitted assaulting photographer Steven Shepherd and damaging his £200 glasses. |
| Gascoigne, who now lives in Poole, Dorset, won 57 caps for England during a 19-year playing career. | Gascoigne, who now lives in Poole, Dorset, won 57 caps for England during a 19-year playing career. |
| The court heard the relationship between Gascoigne and Miss Thomas ended at the end of last year and she started seeing another man, Andrew Stone, who works with Mr Shepherd . | The court heard the relationship between Gascoigne and Miss Thomas ended at the end of last year and she started seeing another man, Andrew Stone, who works with Mr Shepherd . |
| On 16 March, it was heard the former footballer telephoned Miss Thomas at a Post Office shop where she works in Bournemouth, but she told him not to contact her again. | On 16 March, it was heard the former footballer telephoned Miss Thomas at a Post Office shop where she works in Bournemouth, but she told him not to contact her again. |
| He went on to send her text messages and a "series of abusive tweets" in the following days, the prosecution said. | He went on to send her text messages and a "series of abusive tweets" in the following days, the prosecution said. |
| 'Sack the cow' | 'Sack the cow' |
| Prosecuting, Lee Turner said: "As a result of those tweets, it encouraged other persons using Twitter - which led to further harassment of Miss Thomas. | Prosecuting, Lee Turner said: "As a result of those tweets, it encouraged other persons using Twitter - which led to further harassment of Miss Thomas. |
| "She was alarmed and distressed at their content. Mr Stone telephoned Mr Gascoigne asking him to stop, however the abusive tweets continued." | "She was alarmed and distressed at their content. Mr Stone telephoned Mr Gascoigne asking him to stop, however the abusive tweets continued." |
| The next day Gascoigne called his former girlfriend and told her: "I am going to destroy you, I am going to hammer you, I am going to come into the post office tomorrow." | The next day Gascoigne called his former girlfriend and told her: "I am going to destroy you, I am going to hammer you, I am going to come into the post office tomorrow." |
| The court heard he turned up at her place of work "causing a scene" and started shouting her name. | The court heard he turned up at her place of work "causing a scene" and started shouting her name. |
| He then sent a further tweet saying: "If they do not sack the cow I am going to sue the Post Office." | He then sent a further tweet saying: "If they do not sack the cow I am going to sue the Post Office." |
| Miss Thomas made a complaint to police and officers arrested the 48-year-old. | Miss Thomas made a complaint to police and officers arrested the 48-year-old. |
| Gascoigne also admitted assaulting Mr Shepherd and a charge of criminal damage. | Gascoigne also admitted assaulting Mr Shepherd and a charge of criminal damage. |
| The court heard the photographer was taking pictures of the former footballer as he signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans at a cafe in Bournemouth on 16 June. | The court heard the photographer was taking pictures of the former footballer as he signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans at a cafe in Bournemouth on 16 June. |
| Gascoigne confronted Mr Shepherd and demanded he hand over his camera's memory card. | Gascoigne confronted Mr Shepherd and demanded he hand over his camera's memory card. |
| The altercation resulted in a one-inch graze to Mr Shepherd's head and damage to his prescription glasses, it was heard. | The altercation resulted in a one-inch graze to Mr Shepherd's head and damage to his prescription glasses, it was heard. |
| In defence, Gavin Harris told the court his client had been in a relationship with Miss Thomas dating back five years, but it started to go downhill when paparazzi photographers Mr Stone and Mr Shepherd came into contact with them. | |
| Mr Harris accused Mr Shepherd of a "brazen attempt" to provoke Gascoigne so valuable photographs could be taken by Mr Stone, who was by "no coincidence" also at the scene of the attack. | |
| Gascoigne, who has faced a high-profile battle with alcohol addiction in recent years and has spent a number of spells in rehab, played for the likes of Newcastle United, Tottenham, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton. | Gascoigne, who has faced a high-profile battle with alcohol addiction in recent years and has spent a number of spells in rehab, played for the likes of Newcastle United, Tottenham, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton. |
| It has been reported he is being lined-up to appear on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, due to start in November. | It has been reported he is being lined-up to appear on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, due to start in November. |