Jail warning for Gazza for drink driving

Paul Gascoigne was told he could be jailed

Former footballer Paul Gascoigne has been warned he could be jailed after admitting driving while more than four times the legal alcohol limit.

The 43-year-old Tyneside-born former England midfielder appeared at Newcastle Magistrates Court.

Gascoigne was stopped by police in Newcastle on 8 October.

He is due to stand trial next month for allegedly drinking and driving in North Yorkshire in February.

On Wednesday, District Judge Stephen Earl was told Gascoigne had 142mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when he was stopped in Jesmond, Newcastle, on 8 October.

The legal limit is 35mg. Judge Earl said all options "up to and including a custodial sentence" were open and a 12-week jail term was possible given the high level of alcohol recorded.

He banned Gascoigne from driving immediately.

Judge Earl said he would sentence Gascoigne on 11 November after the preparation of probation reports.

Gascoigne is due to go on trial on a separate drink-drive charge on 3 November at Northallerton Magistrates' Court, North Yorkshire.

In a football career spanning nearly 20 years, Gascoigne played for Newcastle, Tottenham, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton. He won 57 England caps.