Paul Gascoigne 'not guilty' of sexual assault on train
The 52-year-old 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.
Last updated 17th Oct 2019
Ex-footballer Paul Gascoigne has been cleared of sexual assault after kissing a woman on a train but the jury is still considering an alternative charge of assault by beating.
The 52-year-old 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.
He was also cleared of a lesser charge of assault by beating.
As he left court, Gascoigne wiped his eye with a tissue and hugged his agent.
During legal argument in the absence of the jury, the prosecution tried and failed to be allowed to tell the jury about Gascoigne's previous convictions which include offences of battery, criminal damage and a charge of racially aggravated harassment.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it had considered the charge before the case.
A spokesman said: "We reviewed the case in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and it was determined that there was a realistic prospect of conviction and it was in the public interest to prosecute Mr Gascoigne for the offence of sexual assault.
"We respect today's verdicts from the jury.'
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