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Paul Gascoigne fined for harassing ex-girlfriend | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has been fined and made the subject to a restraining order after he admitted harassing his ex-girlfriend. | |
The 48-year-old sent abusive tweets and texts to 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. |
District Judge Stephen Nicholls sentenced him to a community order for 12 months and issued a restraining order for two years prohibiting him from contacting Miss Thomas or posting about her on social media. | |
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. | 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. | 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. |
He was also fined £100 for the harassment and ordered to pay £1,535 in compensation and court costs, as well as a £60 victims' surcharge. | |
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. |