Paul Gascoigne has pleaded guilty to harassing his former girlfriend Amanda Thomas, along with admitting to having physically assaulted a paparazzi.
Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court heard that Gascoigne had posted abusive tweets about Thomas earlier this year, and that he had also attacked photographer Steven Shepherd, damaging his glasses worth £200.
The court was told by the prosecution that Gascoigne and Thomas’ relationship had ended in 2014, after Thomas began to pursue a relationship with photographer Andrew Stone. Shepherd, who was a colleague of Stone’s, was confronted by Gascoigne in June, 2015, with the former England national squad striker demanding that Shepherd give the ex-footballer his camera’s memory card. When Shepherd refused, Gascoigne left him with a one-inch graze on his head and damaged his prescription glasses.
The defence claimed that Gascoigne’s actions were a result of him facing extreme pressure due to the media attention circling him, with the phone hacking scandal being listed as a reason behind his aggressive behaviour. Texts from Gascoigne to Thomas were read to the court, with one seeing the footballer claim “I’m going to f***ing kill him”, in reference to Stone.
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The defence continued that Gascoigne was taking strong psychiatric medication around the time of the incidents. Gavin Harris, Gascoigne’s lawyer, told the court: “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.”
Harris also accused Andrew Stone and Steven Shepherd of provoking Gascoigne into a volatile situation, with Stone taking photographs of the assault and handing them to the police. Harris said that it was “no coincidence” that Stone was nearby during the altercation, adding: “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.”
It has not been confirmed to the public what Gascoigne’s punishment will be.
