Former footie ace Paul Gascoigne fined £2,000 for racist ‘joke’ to black security guard
The 49-year-old, whose career included spells at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Rangers, copped to using "threatening or abusive words or behaviour" during An Evening With Gazza show in Wolverhampton
EX-England footie ace Paul Gascoigne was today fined £2,000 for making a racist joke about a black security guard at a meet-and-greet event.
The 49-year-old, whose career included spells at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Rangers,
admitting telling the bouncer, who was standing in the shadows at the side of the stage, "can you smile please, because I can't see you?"
Gascoigne, who lives in Dorset, admitted using "threatening or abusive words or behaviour" during An Evening With Gazza show in Wolverhampton on November 30 last year.
He was fined £1,000 punitively by the court and ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation.
Gazza, who has battled alcohol addiction for many years, looked healthy as he arrived at court and posed for selfies with awaiting fans even signing an autograph on one mans chest.
He wore a pinstriped suite with an open necked pink shirt and glasses for his day in the dock.
District Judge Graham Wilkinson was told the offence was committed during an on-stage performance by Gascoigne on November 30 last year at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall.
After Gascoigne's change of plea, Judge Wilkinson said the ex-player had admitted "the sort of insidious racism" that needed to be challenged.
The judge said Gascoigne would face a financial penalty for the offence, details of which have yet to be outlined to the court.
During the case, the prosecutor read out a victim statement on behalf of Errol Rowe, the security guard at the centre of this case.
Mr Rowe said he could recall the famous 1990 Italy World Cup where Gascoigne had become a national hero.
He said: “To have your hero as a footballer talk to me in a racial manner has made me so upset and angry. That evening, I went home and sat and cried.”
The former Spurs midfielder, who lives in Dorset, was granted unconditional bail in June after appearing at Dudley Magistrates' Court.
He is attended the same court for a one-day trial and admitted committing the offence on November 30 last year.
At least four witnesses were expected to give evidence at the trial, which took place before a district judge.
Related Stories
Gascoigne, who retired from football in 2005, also played for Everton, Middlesbrough and Italian club Lazio, and made 57 appearances for England between 1988 and 1998.
He was accused of making a "racially aggravated" joke while on stage during his 'An Evening With Gazza' event, at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall on November 30 last year.
The former England and Spurs player made a joke about a black bouncer who was standing in the shadows during the event.
The Crown Prosecution Service had initially decided that he should not be prosecuted over the incident, but it was announced in June this year that he would face court.
He was told he faces one charge of "using threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress".
District judge Graham Wilkinson, sentencing, said: "I say this at the outset, this offence in itself does not make you a racist.
"But this offence was racially aggravated because you targeted Mr Rowe. You sought clearly to get a laugh from an audience of over 1,000 people because of the colour of his skin.
"We as a multicultural society must challenge racism in all its forms.
"It's the creeping, low-level racism that society still needs to root out.
"Your decision to abuse Mr Rowe was like a man telling a loud racist joke in a pub.
"A message needs to be sent out that it's not acceptable to laugh words like this off. The victim has shown considerable courage for coming forward and I'm sure he will have agonised over it.
"To racially abuse someone for the sake of public entertainment is a very serious matter.
"I accept this was an off-the-cuff remark and you grew up in a different time but that is little excuse.
"We live in the 21st Century, grow up with it or keep your mouth shut, Mr Gascoigne.
"You targeted the victim for no reason other than the colour of his skin.
"I object to criticisms of the Crown Prosecution Service that this case should not have been brought to court. This was as serious as it gets.
"The complainant was clearly humiliated on stage as part of an act. That's the sort of insidious racism that needs to be challenged.
"The (sun tan) comment, whether it was made or not, helps set the charge in context. You are accepting you singled out this man because of the colour of his skin."
Prosecutor Simon Davies said: "Mr Rowe was employed to provide close protection to Mr Gascoigne. This was the sort of role he'd provided on many occasions to celebrities, having spent 20 years working in security.
"Soon after 6pm, Mr Rowe went to visit Mr Gascoigne in his dressing room.
"He claims Mr Gascoigne said to him: 'I didn't know my security had a sun tan'.
"It was clear to Mr Rowe he was referring to his skin colour. He was shocked at this comment but maintained his professionalism.
";That was the precursor to what happened on the stage where he was publicly humiliated in front of a very large audience.
"Mr Rowe was on stage standing in the wings about 12 yards away from Mr Gascoigne. He was standing in the shadows and trying to be discreet.
"Mr Gascoigne asked for some tissues because he was laughing so hard and coughing. He then singled out Mr Rowe and said: 'Can you smile so I can see you? I can't tell if he's smiling or not'.
"He went on to say: 'Do you want to get to the front of the stage and smile so the audience can see you?'
"Mr Rowe was in disbelief, he was dazed and completely humiliated at being abused by a football icon.
"A witness, Samantha Bright, was there with her black boyfriend and the couple left because they were so offended and couldn't tolerate any more.
"When questioned by police, Mr Gascoigne said Mr Rowe actually smiled at the comment but he was devastated he had upset him and apologised from the bottom of his heart."
In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Rowe said: "I regarded him as a legend. I recall Italia 90 where Gazza was inspirational to me.
"To have your hero talk to you in a racial manner makes me feel so upset and angry. I keep having flashbacks, thoughts about being abused in front of a massive crowd.
"That night I went home and sat and cried and I haven't been able to work since."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368