FORMER footballer Paul Gascoigne has been cleared of sexually assaulting a woman on a train.

The verdict was welcomed by shouts of joy from the former footballer’s supporters.

Judge Stephen Peter Armstrong told the jury that he would accept a majority verdict for the lesser charge of assault by beating.

The jury retired again to consider the alternative count and returned to clear Gascoigne of all charges.

The Northern Echo: Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne (centre) outside Teesside Crown Court, Middlesbrough, after he was cleared of all charges of sexually assaulting a woman on a train. Picture: Danny Lawson / PA WireFormer England footballer Paul Gascoigne (centre) outside Teesside Crown Court, Middlesbrough, after he was cleared of all charges of sexually assaulting a woman on a train. Picture: Danny Lawson / PA Wire

The 52-year-old ex-England midfielder told Teesside Crown Court it was not sexual, and that he kissed the stranger to boost her confidence after he heard someone call her fat.

The complainant had accused Mr Gascoigne of planting a ‘sloppy, drunken kiss’ on her lips during a train journey between York and Newcastle.

After the verdict was returned the ex-Newcastle and England midfielder thanked the judge, the jury and his dentist - an apparent reference to evidence earlier in the trial about him not having his false teeth in when he was on the train.

A woman who has attended court every day with the ex-player broke down in tears when he walked out of the court room.

The Northern Echo: Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne (centre) outside Teesside Crown Court, Middlesbrough, after he was cleared of all charges of sexually assaulting a woman on a train. Picture: Danny Lawson / PA WireFormer England footballer Paul Gascoigne (centre) outside Teesside Crown Court, Middlesbrough, after he was cleared of all charges of sexually assaulting a woman on a train. Picture: Danny Lawson / PA Wire

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Gascoigne’s legal representative Imogen Cox read out a statement from him, she said: “To have a sexual allegation hanging over me for 12 months has been so tough, I’m so glad that I was finally able to put my side of the story and that the jury came to the correct verdict.”

She then thanked his legal and management team, family and friends, for their support throughout the investigation and court case.

She added: “A special thank you to my character witnesses, Ricky, Mel, Jane and Paul from the Providence Project, for taking time out of their busy schedules to tell the court such lovely things about me and I now look forward to getting on with my life. Thank you.”