'Drunk' Paul Gascoigne told cop 'I was just trying to help a fat lass after forcibly kissing her on the lips'

PAUL GASCOIGNE told a police officer he was "trying to help a fat lass" he is accused of forcibly kissing on the lips, a jury at his sex-assault trial heared.

The ex-England ace allegedly kissed the woman "very forcibly on the lips" before forcing his tongue into her mouth as they travelled on a train between from York to Durham on August 20 last year.

The 52-year-old had been "shouting and swearing" behind the woman and had asked if she was a fortune teller, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Gascoigne walked into court this morning wearing a pair of gold shoes and a navy suit.

A jury heard Gascoigne denied the kiss was sexual, and claimed: “I get kissed all the time. If that’s the case I’ve been sexually harassed for the last 20 years.”

Giving evidence, British Transport Police PC Robert Moody explained how he arrested Gascoigne at the Jesmond Dene Hotel in Newcastle some hours after the incident.

'DRUNKEN STATE'

The PC said he had spoken to the former footballer prior to travelling to the hotel, telling jurors how Gascoigne said: "I know what it's about, I kissed a fat lass."

PC Moody said that when he got to the hotel, he saw Gascoigne sat in the foyer in an "intoxicated, drunken state" with a glass of beer in his hand.

He said that, after the defendant had been arrested, he told a custody sergeant: "All I was doing was trying to help a fat lass."

Jurors heard a transcript of the interview police conducted with Gascoigne following the incident, in which he said he had not been drinking heavily as he had recently had an operation.

The court heard how the footballer told officers that, after hearing somebody describe his alleged victim as fat: "I sat down next to her and just gave her a peck on the lips, and that was it."

I felt sorry for her. I made sure – she was not fat and ugly

When asked if his actions had been to reassure the woman about her build, Gascoigne said: "I felt sorry for her. I made sure – she was not fat and ugly."

Jurors were told that Gascoigne had said to officers that he had only had "three or four cans" prior to the incident because spirits made him "spew up" following a recent operation.

He said during the interview: "Before the operation I could drink gin no problem."

The former footballer said during the interview: "I'm not a serious guy, I enjoy life. I've got myself in trouble down the years."

In court on Monday, prosecutor William Mousley QC said Gazza, who played for Newcastle, Spurs, Everton and Lazio, was "drunk".

The jury was told that while being quizzed by cops he said he had given the woman a "peck on the lips to reassure her".

When the footballer was confronted by other passengers, he told them he had tried to give her a "confidence boost", the court heard.

Describing the alleged offence as a "blatant act", Mr Mousley said it was "humiliating" for the woman involved, adding: "Perhaps it was him showing off."

Giving evidence today, the woman told jurors she noticed the former footballer being "very noisy" on the train, saying: "There were lots of cans on the floor."

'HE GRABBED MY FACE AND KISSED ME'

She explained she had put headphones on to block out the noise from "intoxicated" Gascoigne but he engaged her in a conversation by asking if she was a palm reader.

The woman said: "I turned around to face him and he grabbed my face and kissed me full on the lips, and I was taken aback because it was just completely out of the blue."

She told jurors she did not know that the man who kissed her on the train was the former footballer until after the incident.

The woman also denied someone had asked him: "Why would you want a photo with that fat cow?"

Gascoigne's barrister Michelle Heeley QC asked if had come over to comfort her and said "do not worry, you're very beautiful", before moving to kiss her.

The woman responded: "I do not recall that happening."

GAZZA ON TRIAL

Gascoigne is on trial at Teesside Crown Court after denying one count of sexual assault by touching in December last year.

The footballer was pictured arriving at court yesterday wearing sunglasses and a blue suit with a matching blue and white tie.

Before he entered the doors a fan shouted: "Come on Gazza, man!" Gascoigne smiled and replied: "Alright lads?"

Jurors were asked to put any views they have of him to one side and had to state if they were ever employed by any of his previous clubs.

Midfielder Gascoigne earned 57 caps for England during his international career and was branded one of the greatest players of his generation.

He famously broke down in tears at the 1990 World Cup after receiving a yellow card in the semi-final with West Germany – meaning he would not play if England reached the final.

During his career, Gazza enjoyed successful stints at Tottenham, where he helped the team win the FA Cup in 1991, Lazio, Rangers and Middlesbrough.

The ace also played for Everton and later had spells at Burnley and Boston United.

But following retirement, Gazza battled alcohol problems – although has since turned his life around.

The trial is expected to last five days.

Source: Read Full Article