Paul Gascoigne facing jail over drink driving

One-time World Cup star Paul Gascoigne has been warned that he faces being jailed after he admitted driving while more than four times the legal limit.

The 43-year-old former Glasgow Rangers footballer admitted the charge at a short hearing at Newcastle Magistrates' Court, yesterday.

District Judge Stephen Earl was told that Gascoigne had 142mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when he was stopped in Jesmond, Newcastle, on 8 October at 2:45pm. The legal limit is 35mg.

Judge Earl 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 United, Spurs, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton man was caught driving an MG car erratically by police.

Judge Earl 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 11 November at 10am to be sentenced.