Gazza denies drink driving charge

Former England football star Paul Gascoigne today pleaded not guilty to drink driving.

The ex-Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur player denied the charge when he appeared at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court in north Yorkshire.

Gascoigne is accused of driving a Ford Transit van while more than four times the limit on February 7 at Leeming Bar, north Yorkshire.

The court heard that when tested he was found to have 467 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. The legal limit is 107 milligrams.

Gascoigne, 42, also pleaded not guilty to driving without insurance.

A charge of driving without a licence was withdrawn after the prosecution accepted that the former footballer did have a licence.

Gascoigne, who was wearing a pinstripe suit, appeared in good humour during the 50-minute hearing.

The case was adjourned until July 28 when a one-day trial will take place at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court.

The footballer, of Jesmond Park, Newcastle, appeared in court alongside friend Michael Harvey (aged 40).

Harvey, of Wood Street, Gateshead, also denied driving a Ford Transit van over the legal limit on February 7 at Leeming Bar.

The court was told he had 259 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. Harvey denied the charge.

He also denied being in charge of a vehicle while over the limit, driving without insurance and driving while disqualified.