Ex-England footballer Paul Gascoigne pleads guilty to harassing ex-girlfriend

New Delhi: Troubled ex-England football player Paul Gascoigne on Thursday pleaded guilty to harassment of his former girlfriend and assaulting a photographer.

On October 7, Gascoigne was charged with harassing his ex-girlfriend Amanda Thomas with abusive messages and telephone calls in March. The 48-year-old and father-of-three was also charged of harassing photographer Andy Stone during the same period.

The former midfielder appeared at Bournemouth Magistrates' Court and pleaded to guilty to harassing Thomas and assaulting Stone, damaging the photographer's glasses worth £200.

In August 2013, he was fined £1,000 after assaulting a railway guard who tried to stop him falling on to the line while drunk.

Regarded as one of the most talented footballers England has ever produced, Gascoigne, popularly known as `Gazza`, played for Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Rangers and Everton.

Gascoigne appeared 57 times for England and more than 400 times for clubs, before retiring in 2004, struggling with alcoholism and personal problems.  He was part of the England squad which finished fourth in the 1990 World Cup.

Post retirement, he has struggled with drug and alcohol problems and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act in February 2008.