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Paul Gascoigne admits harassing ex-girlfriend and assaulting photographer Paul Gascoigne admits harassing ex-girlfriend and assaulting photographer
(about 2 hours later)
Paul Gascoigne, the former England footballer, has admitted harassing a former girlfriend and assaulting a photographer. The former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has admitted harassing a former girlfriend and assaulting a photographer.
The 48-year-old pleaded guilty to the harassment of Amanda Thomas, assault by beating of the photographer and damaging his glasses worth £200. The 48-year-old pleaded guilty on Thursday to the harassment of Amanda Thomas, assault by beating of Steven Shepherd and damaging his glasses worth £200.
Bournemouth magistrates court heard Gascoigne posted a series of abusive Twitter messages about Thomas. Lee Turner, prosecuting, said the relationship between Gascoigne and Thomas had ended at the end of last year and she had begun a new relationship with Andrew Stone, a photographer. Bournemouth magistrates court heard Gascoigne posted a series of abusive Twitter messages about Thomas. Their relationship had ended at the end of last year and she had begun a new relationship with Andrew Stone, a photographer, the court heard.
On 16 March 2015, Gascoigne telephoned Thomas at a post office where she works in Bournemouth, Dorset. Turner said Thomas told the defendant she did not want to be contacted again, but Gascoigne then sent her text messages on eight occasions in the following days. On 16 March 2015, Gascoigne telephoned Thomas at a post office where she works in Bournemouth, Dorset. Lee Turner, prosecuting, said Thomas told the defendant she did not want to be contacted again, but Gascoigne then sent her text messages on eight occasions in the following days.
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He added that on 20 March Gascoigne sent a series of abusive tweets, including one saying: “I am going to fuck him over.” Turner also read out insulting comments made by Gascoigne about Thomas. Turner added that on 20 March Gascoigne sent a series of abusive tweets, including one saying: “I am going to fuck him over.” Turner also read out insulting comments made by Gascoigne about Thomas.
He said: “As a result of those tweets, it encouraged other persons using Twitter which led to further harassment of Miss Thomas. Miss Thomas is at home with Mr Stone when she hears about the use of Twitter, at first she didn’t want to look at Twitter but she did.He said: “As a result of those tweets, it encouraged other persons using Twitter which led to further harassment of Miss Thomas. Miss Thomas is at home with Mr Stone when she hears about the use of Twitter, at first she didn’t want to look at Twitter but she did.
“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.”
Turner told the court that the next day Gascoigne called Thomas 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.”Turner told the court that the next day Gascoigne called Thomas 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.”
He said that Gascoigne then “caused a scene” at the post office and started shouting her name. He also sent another tweet saying: “If they do not sack the cow I am going to sue the post office.” He said Gascoigne then “caused a scene” at the post office and started shouting her name. He also sent another tweet saying: “If they do not sack the cow I am going to sue the post office.”
Gascoigne was arrested after Thomas complained to police. Turner said: “Miss Thomas says that her biggest concern was about losing her job and she did feel harassed by this course of conduct.”Gascoigne was arrested after Thomas complained to police. Turner said: “Miss Thomas says that her biggest concern was about losing her job and she did feel harassed by this course of conduct.”
The court heard that the assault against photographer Steven Shepherd, who works with Stone, happened as Gascoigne signed autographs and had his picture taken with fans in Bournemouthon 16 June. The court heard that the assault against Shepherd, who works with Stone, happened as Gascoigne signed autographs and had his picture taken with fans in Bournemouthon 16 June.
The former Newcastle footballer asked the photographer to hand over his camera’s memory card before attacking him and a causing an inch-long graze to his head and damage to his prescription glasses in the process.The former Newcastle footballer asked the photographer to hand over his camera’s memory card before attacking him and a causing an inch-long graze to his head and damage to his prescription glasses in the process.
Turner told the court: “Mr Gascoigne becomes aware of the two photographers, Mr Gascoigne pursues Mr Shepherd from the cafe into Bournemouth Gardens and CCTV pictures show Mr Gascoigne running across the pedestrian precinct, reaching Mr Shepherd 40 metres away from the cafe.Turner told the court: “Mr Gascoigne becomes aware of the two photographers, Mr Gascoigne pursues Mr Shepherd from the cafe into Bournemouth Gardens and CCTV pictures show Mr Gascoigne running across the pedestrian precinct, reaching Mr Shepherd 40 metres away from the cafe.
“Mr Shepherd says after he took some photos, he was walking away and suddenly something struck him on the head and somebody grabbed his glasses from him.”“Mr Shepherd says after he took some photos, he was walking away and suddenly something struck him on the head and somebody grabbed his glasses from him.”
Turner said Gascoigne told the victim to “give him the fucking pictures” and Shepherd handed over two memory cards before reporting the incident to police.Turner said Gascoigne told the victim to “give him the fucking pictures” and Shepherd handed over two memory cards before reporting the incident to police.
Turner said Gascoigne’s basis for pleading guilty was that he was reckless and had not intended to hurt him or damage the glasses.Turner said Gascoigne’s basis for pleading guilty was that he was reckless and had not intended to hurt him or damage the glasses.
Gavin Harris, defending, said Gascoigne had been in a five-year relationship with Thomas which he says deteriorated after “paparazzi photographers” Stone and Shepherd came into contact with them. Gavin Harris, defending, said Gascoigne and Thomas had been in a five-year relationship, which deteriorated after “paparazzi photographers” Stone and Shepherd had come into contact with them.
Harris said: “These photographers have consistently followed Mr Gascoigne, causing him distress which some would say is akin to harassment.”Harris said: “These photographers have consistently followed Mr Gascoigne, causing him distress which some would say is akin to harassment.”
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Harris said the stress caused by media attention on Gascoigne was “exacerbated by the phone-hacking scandal”. He also told the court that the former footballer had been given strong psychiatric medication as a result of press behaviour towards him.Harris said the stress caused by media attention on Gascoigne was “exacerbated by the phone-hacking scandal”. He also told the court that the former footballer had been given strong psychiatric medication as a result of press behaviour towards him.
“He feels pressure was coming at him from all sides and he cracked,” Harris added. “He was unwell at the time, he has recovered and is regretful of his actions towards Miss Thomas.“He feels pressure was coming at him from all sides and he cracked,” Harris added. “He was unwell at the time, he has recovered and is regretful of his actions towards Miss Thomas.
“He had reached breaking point, he was in such an emotional state he could not be interviewed and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act.”“He had reached breaking point, he was in such an emotional state he could not be interviewed and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act.”
Harris said on the day he assaulted Shepherd Gascoigne had been happy to sign autographs and have his picture taken with fans, but he then realised he was “being secretly photographed by Mr Shepherd”. On the day he assaulted Shepherd, Gascoigne had been happy to sign autographs and have his picture taken with fans, but he then realised he was “being secretly photographed by Mr Shepherd”, said Harris.
Harris said: “He then went over to Mr Shepherd to ask him to hand over the memory cards so he could prove he was being harassed by this paparazzi photographer. “He then went over to Mr Shepherd to ask him to hand over the memory cards so he could prove he was being harassed by this paparazzi photographer.
“You may realise it was no coincidence it was Mr Stone who was on hand to take photographs and gave these to the police. It was a brazen attempt to provoke Mr Gascoigne so valuable photographs could be taken. He clearly felt provoked into the assault, but he had not intent to cause injury or damage.”“You may realise it was no coincidence it was Mr Stone who was on hand to take photographs and gave these to the police. It was a brazen attempt to provoke Mr Gascoigne so valuable photographs could be taken. He clearly felt provoked into the assault, but he had not intent to cause injury or damage.”
Harris added: “He was consistently followed through his treatment. Although he has gone for one year without alcohol, the actions of others have caused him serious anxiety.”Harris added: “He was consistently followed through his treatment. Although he has gone for one year without alcohol, the actions of others have caused him serious anxiety.”