'YEAR OF HELL'
PAUL Gascoigne has revealed he feared being branded "worse than Jeffrey Epstein" as he opened up about his nightmare sex assault trial.
The footie legend wept in the dock this week as he was cleared of sexual assault after kissing a woman on a train for a confidence boost when she was called a "fat lass".
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The 52-year-old was accused of grabbing the woman "very forcibly on the lips" before putting his tongue into her mouth as they travelled on a train.
He claimed he was trying to give the woman a "confidence boost" after she was branded a "fat lass" on the service from York to Durham on August 20 last year.
A jury took two hours and 45 minutes to clear Gazza of sexual assault at Teesside Crown Court.
The footie hero told the Sunday Mirror: “I was worried I’d be treated like Jeffrey Epstein.
"I’d get worse publicity than Epstein.
“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. It’s been a year of hell.”
He also revealed cops asked him for selfies after he was arrested.
The troubled ace said: “I was in the back of the police car and they were just talking to me about football.
“On the way to the station they were talking to me about everything, asking me what my time was like playing for Middlesbrough, about the goal I scored in Euro 96.
“Then they were asking me for selfies after letting me go. I couldn’t believe it.”
I was in the back of the police car and they were just talking to me about football. On the way to the station they were talking to me about everything, about the goal I scored in Euro 96. Then they were asking me for selfies after letting me go. I couldn’t believe it.”
Gazza
Gazza was put in a holding cell for four hours and questioned for 45 minutes. He had his shoes removed, his fingerprints taken and posed for a mugshot.
He claims officers asked him to pose for selfies and to relive his classic Euro 96 goal against Scotland.
Gazza maintains he only kissed the woman at the centre of the court case because she was being taunted over her weight by fellow train passengers.
He told the Sunday Mirror: "All I was doing was sticking up for the girl.
"I gave the girl a peck. I didn't mean anything sexual, I just heard what was said to her and wanted to help. If it was anyone else this would never have gone to court.
Gaaza's statement in full after being cleared of all charges
To have a sexual allegation hanging over me for over 12 months has been so tough.
"I'm so glad I was finally able to portray my side of the story and that the jury come to the correct verdict.
"Thank you very much to my legal team at Cartwright Kings solicitors and my Queens Counsel Michelle Heeley for all their hard work on my behalf.
"I would also like to thank my agent Katie of M&N management, her father Lee and my friends, family - loyal friends who have supported me at this difficult time.
"A special thank you to my character witnesses Ricky, Mel, Jane and Paul, from the Providence Project for taking time out from their busy schedules to tell the court such lovely things about me.
"I'm now looking forward to getting on with my life. Thank you."
"This is the hardest thing I've ever been through. It's been a year of hell."
He also opened up about the death of beloved nephew Jay Kerrigan in 2016.
An inquest ruled Jay accidentally overdosed on drugs at his girlfriend’s home.
Gazza says: “My nephew Jay died, he was bullied and I never want to see that happen to someone else.
“All I was doing was sticking up for the girl.
“I gave the girl a peck. I didn’t mean anything sexual, I just heard what was said to her and wanted to help. If it was anyone else this would never have gone to court. I accept I’m not liked by everyone.
“I shouldn’t have to change the way I behave. I’ve been kissed six times this morning – does that mean I have been sexually assaulted?
“The last year has been a nightmare and I’ve worked hard to stay sober, in the last 6 months I’ve not touched a drop.”
British Transport Police yesterday denied his allegation that any officer had asked him for a selfie.
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Spurs and England legend Gazza rolls back the years to slot home penalty in charity game