Paul Gascoigne says phone-hacking 'ruined his life' and left him scared to make calls

 
Hacking claim: Paul Gascoigne at the High Court today
PA
Rashid Razaq11 March 2015
WEST END FINAL

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Former England star Paul Gascoigne today said phone-hacking “ruined his life” and made his alcoholism worse.

The 47-year-old ex-footballer told the High Court he wanted to “trade his phone in for a coffin” after hacking by three by Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and The People.

Gascoigne wept as he told the court:“I knew I was getting hacked by the Mirror. This continued for ages. Phone calls to my father and family were getting blocked so I changed my mobile. It happened again so I kept on changing mobiles, five or six times a month.”

Questioned by David Sherborne, who has said hacking was rife at all three of the group’s national titles by mid-1999, he said that, to start with, the experience was “so scary”.

Gascoigne, who is complaining about 18 articles - all accepted to have been the product of illegal activity - said: “I couldn’t speak to anybody, I was scared to speak to anybody... my parents, my family and kids, it was just horrendous.

“And people can’t understand why I became an alcoholic.”

MGN have admitted misuse of private information, but are contesting the amount of damages due. Dozens of other celebrities and prominent figures have already reached settlements.

Gascoigne told the court: “At the time I was going through a bad time because I knew I was getting hacked, 110%. Of course (people) wouldn’t believe it - my family and Mr McKeown (therapist Johnny McKeown).

“As I was speaking to him on the phone, it clicked again. He told me I was paranoid, I was going through a mental disorder.

“I said ‘No, there’s f***-all wrong with me’. I knew, I knew. I put the phone down... I’ve never told a lie, nothing to lie about, nothing.

“Disgusting. Crap.”

After speaking briefly, Gascoigne was told he would not face cross-examination by Matthew Nicklin QC, for MGN, and his evidence was going unchallenged.

He replied: “I have waited 15 years to be sat here so I am disgusted, really.

“I would like to trade my mobile phone in for a coffin because these guys have ruined my life. I have no life.”

The hearing continues.

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