Former England football hero Paul Gascoigne admitted common assault and drunk and disorderly charges linked to an incident at a railway station when he appeared at Stevenage Magistrates Court today.
The ex-footballer, who has battled alcoholism for many years, admitted two charges when he appeared at Stevenage Magistrates' Court.
The former Newcastle United and Tottenham midfielder, who lives in Gateshead, was arrested after officers were called to Stevenage rail station in Hertfordshire at around 10.30pm 4 July.
Gascoigne, 46, who received treatment for alcoholism in an American clinic earlier this year, was originally charged with two counts of assault, one involving his ex-wife Sheryl, but that charge was dropped.
Gascoigne, 46, who received treatment for alcoholism in an American clinic earlier this year, was originally charged with two counts of assault, one involving his ex-wife Sheryl, but that charge was dropped.
Gascoigne, clutching a packet of cigarettes and wearing a dark suit, pale blue shirt, beige loafers with no socks and sunglasses, was greeted outside Stevenage Magistrates' Court by a media scrum.
The packed courtroom looked on as the former star, who also had spells at Glasgow Rangers and Lazio, listened to the charges being read to him and entered guilty pleas to assault and drunk and disorderly in a public place.
Gascoigne clutched his mobile phone throughout the court appearance.
Gascoigne admitted assaulting Mr Sherrington when he tried to assist after noticing he was staggering towards the railway tracks.
The ex-footballer was travelling from Newcastle to London King's Cross but got off the train at Stevenage station.
Staff at the station noticed he was drunk and tried to help Gascoigne by putting him in a wheelchair, but he became abusive to Mr Sherrington and used the "c-word" repeatedly, Elaine McMillan, prosecuting, told the court.
Ms McMillan said Gascoigne grabbed hold of Mr Sherrington in the neck area - an assault which lasted a few seconds.
Mr Sherrington did not suffer any injuries.
The court heard that Gascoigne had been in Newcastle visiting his ill father, who has a heart condition.
Gascoigne's lawyer Gavin Harris said he only consumed a small amount of alcohol due to a "combination of stress caused by worry for his father and acute pain from a hip operation six weeks previously".
Mr Harris said that because Gascoigne had not drunk alcohol for a significant period of time, the effects were stronger than would have otherwise been the case.