Paul Gascoigne protests innocence after being charged with sexually assaulting woman on train

Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has protested his innocence after being charged with sexually assaulting a woman on board a train.

Hours after it emerged he had been charged, Gascoigne wrote on Twitter: "Hi as u know ive been charged with a sexual assault from 4 mths ago plus the police who charged me asked me for selfies & an autograph?

"Why if I did wrong ok I'm sticking up 4 myself my manager SHANE said say nothing leave it 2 the lawyers no I'm my own lawyer I did f*** all wrong."

Gascoigne said he was on a train with his niece and nephew when he leapt to a woman's defence on the train after she was called "fat."

"My niece & nephew who were hospitalised because they were called fat at school & refused 2 eat, I was called fat it's ok I'm just sad about it as I respect all women I've a MAM 2 sisters 2 nieces a daughter so why assault x just so pleased that everyone I know they no it not true."

"Asked do I need a lawyer, then asked for a selfie&do I miss football 😢 it’s ok i suppose there only doing there job but deep inside I’m hurting 😢x"

A spokeswoman for BTP said: "A man is due to appear in court next month charged in connection with the sexual assault of a woman on board a train from York to Durham.

"Paul Gascoigne, from Leicester, was charged via postal requisition with one count of sexual assault by touching, contrary to Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

"The charge relates to an incident on board a train on August 20 this year."

He will appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on December 11.