Paul Gascoigne In Tears As He Discusses Impact Of Sexual Assault Trial

Appearing on Good Morning Britain, the former footballer admitted he was tempted to turn to alcohol before being found not guilty last week.
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Paul Gascoigne has broken down in tears during a Good Morning Britain interview while discussing the impact of his recent sexual assault trial.

Last week, Gascoigne was cleared of sexual assault charges, having been accused of kissing a woman on a train in August 2018.

Asked about the incident during his appearance on Wednesday’s GMB, he explained: “I was on the train and a couple of women wanted some selfies… when I got up, someone next to me said, ‘why do you want a photo with her she’s fat and ugly?’.

“So, I went and sat next to her and said, ’You are not fat and ugly, you are beautiful inside and out,. I learned that from treatment centres. I just thought I would give her a bit of confidence. I never thought anything of it. Until I went to the hotel and then got the call, we want to question you.”

Paul Gascoigne broke down in tears during the interview
Paul Gascoigne broke down in tears during the interview
Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Gascoigne admitted he did kiss the woman in question, which he described as a “peck”, adding: “I just never thought anything, I didn’t feel it at a sexual way, or I didn’t look at that way, you know? I sat with my lawyers and they told me what could happen.”

As presenter Kate Garraway asked how he coped as the trial went on, the former footballer became more emotional revealing he became scared for his future as time went on.

Paul Gascoigne speaks to hosts Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway
Paul Gascoigne speaks to hosts Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway
Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

“I could have easily took the easy way out and took to drinking and not bothered about it. I stayed strong through it, you know,” said Gascoigne, who has previously battled alcohol addiction. “I took up some fishing, I’ve got my new manager Katie, she’s been fantastic. And I just talked to counsellors.… I used the tools…keeping myself busy.

“Then it gets hard when you walk around the streets and you have people saying we’re on your side, you know, the more people were on my side… I think I spent the whole year telling people I did nothing wrong.”

He also said that since the incident last year, other historic allegations were being made about him, referring to those responsible as “parasites” who are out to “cause trouble”.

“I am just so thankful to the jury and the judge that they have seen common sense in this,” he said.

Gascoigne leaving court last week after being found not guilty
Gascoigne leaving court last week after being found not guilty
Ian Forsyth via Getty Images

When asked whether the incident had changed his outlook, he insisted: “I don’t think I will ever change. I am who I am. I just felt that was not right for her to be called what she was called, fat and ugly. I suppose I would do that for anyone.

“I’ve always been a nice guy, a caring guy, I‘ll help anybody. But when it sort of backfires like that then you have to think twice on it. I’m not saying I did right, I’m not saying I did wrong.

“Obviously I’m more cautious and there are people out there trying to stab the knife in your back. I’m wary of that. I can’t change, I don’t know, I’ve been like this for years and years and years.”

Good Morning Britain airs every weekday from 6am on ITV.

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