Paul Gascoigne Cleared Of Sexual Assault And Assault By Beating Charges

As he left court, Gascoigne wiped his eye with a tissue and hugged his agent.
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Paul Gascoigne has been cleared at Teesside Crown Court of assault by beating after earlier also being cleared of sexual assault.

The 52-year-old former England midfielder told jurors he had no sexual intention when he planted the sloppy kiss on the stranger, whom he said had been abused by another passenger.

Gascoigne, who denied a single charge of sexual assault, told Teesside Crown Court that he kissed the woman on the York to Newcastle train in August 2018 to boost her confidence after he claimed he heard someone call her fat.

Gascoigne wept in the dock as he was cleared of sexual assault.

A jury also cleared him of a less serious alternative charge of assault by beating which they were told to consider by Judge Peter Armstrong.

After Gascoigne was cleared, Judge Peter Armstrong said: “You are now discharged and free to go.” He can apply to have his defence costs paid, the judge said.

As he left court, Gascoigne wiped his eye with a tissue and hugged his agent.

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