Drink-driving Gascoigne could face jail

Paul Gascoigne was warned Wednesday that he could be sent to jail after the troubled England football hero admitted driving at more than four times the alcohol limit.

Gascoigne, 43, had 142 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when he was stopped on October 8, Newcastle Magistrates’ Court heard. The legal limit is 35mg.

Gascoigne was caught driving erratically through a suburb of his native Newcastle in northeast England.

District judge Stephen Earl told the former Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio and Rangers star that all options “up to and including a custodial sentence” were open.

He said a 12-week jail term was possible given the level of alcohol recorded.

“It is fair to say, obviously, that there are a number of aggravating factors here,” Earl added.

He banned the former midfielder from driving immediately and adjourned the case for sentencing on November 11.

“I understand,” Gascoigne said, adding “thanks very much,” when told he was free to go.

Gascoigne is due to appear in court on November 3 to face a separate drink-drive charge, which he denies.

He has struggled with alcoholism and depression since retiring from the game, and has undergone treatment for bulimia and obsessive compulsive disorder. He has also been involved in a much-publicised row with his ex-wife.

In 2008 he was detained under the Mental Health Act following an incident in Newcastle.

In July this year he appeared — carrying a dressing gown and some chicken — at the deadly stand-off between police and Britain’s most wanted fugitive Raoul Moat, offering himself as a mediator.

Known to fans as “Gazza,” Gascoigne made 57 appearances for England.

Considered one of the most talented English players ever, he is best known for his exploits at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where he helped England reach the semi-finals.