Gazza may face prison after admitting charge

Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne was yesterday warned he could be jailed after he admitted driving while more than four times the legal limit.

The 43-year-old one-time World Cup star admitted drink-driving at a short hearing at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court.

District Judge Stephen Earl was told Gascoigne had 142mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when he was stopped in Jesmond, Newcastle, on October 8 at 2.45 p.m. 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, Tottenham, 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 November 11 at 10 a.m. 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.”

He did not reply to reporters’ questions outside court, and was driven away in a private-hire car.

Gascoigne faces a separate drink-drive charge on November 3 at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court, North Yorkshire, which he denies.