Gascoigne’s friend told to expect jail over drink-driving offences

Michael Harvey, 41, denied he was behind the wheel of a Ford Transit van that pulled up outside a takeaway while he was more than two times over the legal limit.

Harvey and Gascoigne, 43, were fly-fishing earlier that day and had arrived in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, looking for accommodation. After drinking and playing pool in several pubs Harvey and Gascoigne walked to a nearby takeaway for a pizza.

Harvey, who has a previous conviction for drink-driving, went to get his vehicle and drove the van a short distance from a car park to the Regency takeaway to pick up the former Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United player who had ordered the fast food, Northallerton Magistrates’ Court heard.

Harvey told magistrates he accepted an offer by an unidentified man to drive the van for him. He said he wanted the vehicle parked where he could see it for an early getaway the next morning.

However, the “mystery” man was dismissed as a fabrication and his account described as an “absolute pack of lies”. He told the court he went back to Leeming Bar to try to find the person who drove the vehicle for him.

Magistrate Anna Ramsden said Harvey, of Wood Street, Gateshead, had failed to “give credible evidence” and he was found guilty of drink-driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance. Yesterday, the case was adjourned for the completion of a pre-sentence report. Harvey, who was bailed, was told to return to court on March 14 for sentencing.