Paul Gascoigne accused of harassing ex-girlfriend

FORMER Rangers footballer Paul Gascoigne will appear in court later this month charged with two counts of harassment.

Former Rangers footballer Paul Gascoigne. Picture: PA

The 48-year-old, is accused of harassing his ex-girlfriend, Amanda Thomas, in a series of abusive tweets, text messages and telephone calls over a fortnight in March.

He is also charged with harassing Andy Stone, who is reportedly a photographer, during the same period.

Gascoigne, of Poole, Dorset, did not attend Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court when his case was briefly heard on September 29. He is due to appear at the same court on October 29.

Both charges state that Gascoigne “pursued a course of conduct which amounted to harassment which you should know, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment in that you sent abusive tweets via Twitter, telephone calls and text messages”, a court spokeswoman said.

Gascoigne, who played for Newcastle United, Tottenham, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton, has faced a high-profile battle with alcohol addiction in recent years and has spent a number of spells in rehab.

He was photographed at the weekend greeting fans as he attended AFC Bournemouth’s Premier League match against Watford.

A spokesman for Gascoigne declined to comment on the case.