FORMER Everton and England footballer Paul Gascoigne has been fined and made subject to a restraining order after he pleaded guilty to sending a series of abusive tweets, phone calls and messages to his ex-girlfriend.
The 48-year-old also pleaded guilty at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court to the common assault by beating of paparazzi photographer Steven Shepherd and damaging his glasses after spotting him secretly taking shots of him.
Gascoigne admitted harassing Amanda Thomas, his girlfriend of five years, during a two-week period in March following their split at the end of last year.
The court heard the couple met after Gascoigne moved to the Bournemouth area where he underwent rehab treatment for his alcoholism.
Paul Gascoigne signs an autograph outside Bournemouth Magistrates Coourt today
Gascoigne, who now lives in Poole, Dorset, sent a number of foul-mouthed and threatening messages and Tweets accusing Miss Thomas of being a “slag” after she began a new relationship with Andrew Stone, another photographer who works with Mr Shepherd.
The defendant’s solicitor, Gavin Harris, told the court that Gascoigne had felt harassed by the pair of photographers.
He said that Gascoigne was prescribed “extremely strong psychiatric medication as a direct result of the behaviour of the Press towards him.
“He feels pressure was coming at him from all sides and he cracked. He was unwell at the time, he has recovered and is regretful of his actions towards Miss Thomas.”
District Judge Stephen Nicholls sentenced Gascoigne to a community order for 12 months with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
He was issued with a restraining order for two years prohibiting him from contacting Miss Thomas or making comments or posting material about her on social media.
Judge Nicholls warned Gascoigne, who wore a dark suit and grey shirt with no tie, that if he breached the restraining order he could face up to five years in prison.
Gascoigne was also fined £100 for the harassment and ordered to pay £235 court costs and £1,000 compensation to Miss Thomas, £100 to Mr Shepherd and £200 for the broken glasses, as well as a £60 victim surcharge.
A further charge of harassment in relation to Mr Stone was dropped by the prosecution.
Judge Nicholls told Gascoigne: “The harassment is aggravated by your use of Twitter. You were aware you have many followers on Twitter and as a result of the harassment it spread to many people. You wouldn’t know how people would respond and gave no thought to how people would respond.”
After sentencing, the former footballer did not speak to reporters and was driven away in a waiting car.
Mr Harris said: “Mr Gascoigne would like to thank the court and furthermore he has made great strides in putting his life back on track in the past year and he would appreciate the opportunity to continue in his recovery. We do not wish to say anything further about the charges faced today.”
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/