FORMER England football ace Paul Gascoigne has been handed a 12 month community order after he admitted offences of harassment and assaulting a "paparazzi" photographer.

However his therapist of six years has told the Daily Echo he has never seen a man more harassed by the press than Gascoigne, known as Gazza, and the court heard the 48-year-old star was "at breaking point" at the time.

Gascoigne admitted harassing his ex-partner Amanda Thomas in March this year and assaulting photographer Steven Shepherd and damaging his glasses in June.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Magistrates Court today, Lee Turner said Miss Thomas had wanted no further contact with Gazza after their four-year relationship came to an end.

The court heard Gazza sent her text messages on eight occasions on March 16, then bombarded her with offensive tweets over Twitter on March 20, using abusive language and threatening to visit the Bournemouth post office where she worked.

"She was alarmed and distressed at their content," said Mr Turner.

Gascoigne, of Blake Hill Crescent, Poole, later "caused a scene" at the post office.

The court heard Gascoigne was having lunch with friends in Bournemouth Square when he realised Mr Shepherd, a friend of Miss Thomas' new partner, was taking pictures as he chatted to fans and signed autographs.

The former Newcastle footballer asked the photographer to hand over his camera's memory card before attacking him and causing an inch-long graze to his head and damage to his prescription glasses.

In mitigation, Gavin Harris said: "It was a brazen attempt to provoke Mr Gascoigne so valuable photographs could be taken. He clearly felt provoked into the assault, but he had no intent to cause injury or damage."

He added: "Paparazzi have followed him around causing him huge distress.

"He was prescribed strong medication due to the pain caused by the press and photographers towards him. He had reached breaking point."

Mr Harris said Gascoigne was sectioned under the Mental Health Act after his arrest.

The court was told he is considering leaving the Bournemouth area.

Gazza's therapist Paul Spanjar, chief executive of the Providence Projects rehab centre in Boscombe, said: "I have worked in the field of addiction treatment for nearly 15 years, with people from various walks of life, from the music industry and the sports industry.

"I have never seen anybody have to experience what Paul has.

"I'm in no way trying to justify his behaviour, but I think people underestimate how much of an effect this constant following and harassment can have.

"Anyone who knows Paul will know how generous he is with his time, I have never seen him refuse an autograph or a photo request.

"But he should be entitled to some space."

Mr Spanjar, who has been working with Gazza for six years during his struggles with alcoholism, said he recalled seeing camera lenses poking out of bushes while they were in therapy sessions.

He accompanied him to court yesterday for "moral support".

"Paul was obviously nervous about today but I'm sure he will be pleased it is over," he added.

Passing sentence today, District Judge Stephen Nicholls said: "The harassment is aggravated by your use of Twitter, you were aware you have many followers on Twitter and as a result of the harassment it spread to many people.

"You wouldn't know how people would respond and gave no thought to how people would respond."

Gazza was ordered to undertake a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and was issued with a two year restraining order prohibiting him from contacting Miss Thomas or making comments or posting material about her on social media.

He was also fined £100 for the harassment and ordered to pay £235 court costs and £1,000 compensation to Miss Thomas, £100 to Mr Shepherd, £200 for the broken glasses as well as a £60 victim surcharge.