Gazza misses sentencing

Newcastle Magistrates' Court was told that Gascoigne had checked himself into a rehab clinic in the south of England.

The 43-year-old was due for sentencing after he admitted driving while four times over the limit last month.

District Judge Stephen Earl adjourned proceedings until December 9.

Gascoigne's defence lawyer Stephen Andrews said: "A decision was made, by whom I'm not aware, that it would be in his better interest to be admitted to a rehabilitation centre."

Mr Earl said: "He is no different to anybody else. He has voluntarily absented himself from court today and that's what causes me difficulty."