Paul Gascoigne does not appear in court in racial abuse case

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/22/paul-gascoigne-does-not-appear-in-court-in-racial-abuse-case

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Former England international Paul Gascoigne did not appear in court after being accused of making a racist joke at a comedy show.

Gascoigne allegedly made the remarks during an evening billed An Audience With Paul Gascoigne at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton on 30 November last year.

He is alleged to have made a joke about a black security guard whom he spotted in a darkened corner of the stage, saying he could not tell “if he is smiling or not”.

The 49-year-old was due to appear before Dudley magistrates court on Wednesday morning accused of racially aggravated abuse, but the hearing was adjourned.

Gascoigne, whose contact address was listed on official court documents as a law firm in Bedfordshire, was not represented at the hearing.

A court clerk dealing with the proceedings told reporters the case had been “administratively adjourned” with the consent of a district judge until Wednesday29 June.

Audience members paid up to £385 for the Wolverhampton leg of Gascoigne’s UK tour, during which the former England player recounted anecdotes from his lively career.