Soccer:Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne was warned he could be jailed after he admitted driving while more than four times the legal limit today. The 43-year-old admitted drink-driving at a short hearing in Newcastle.
The court was told Gascoigne had 142mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when he was stopped in Jesmond, Newcastle, on October 8th at 2.45pm. The legal limit is 35mg.
The judge adjourned the case until next month for the preparation of probation reports. He said all options “up to and including a custodial sentence” were open. The judge banned Gascoigne from driving immediately.
The former Newcastle, Tottenham, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton man was caught driving an MG car erratically by police. The judge said a 12-week jail term was possible given the high level of alcohol recorded.
“It is fair to say, obviously, that there are a number of aggravating factors here,” he said.
The judge told the footballer he must return to the court on November 11th at 10am to be sentenced. Gascoigne, looking less gaunt than in recent years and wearing a pin-striped suit and beige striped shirt, replied: “I understand.”
When the judge said he was free to leave, Gascoigne replied: “Thanks very much.”