Paul Gascoigne 'checks into rehab'

Paul Gascoigne reportedly failed to show up for sentencing at court today because he has checked into rehab.

The former footballers sentencing for drink-driving at Newcastle Magistrates' Court has now been adjourned, BBC News reports.

"He is not here because he has decided to put himself in for treatment, that's the bit that causes me concern," district judge Stephen Earl said. "Who's running the show?"

He warned Gascoigne's solicitor that the 43-year-old could be sentenced without a probation report or locked up in order to obtain one.

Stephen Andrews told the court that he became aware of the situation when Gascoigne did not attend a pre-arranged meeting on Tuesday.

"The situation is that I received information through the course of the last 48 hours advising me that Mr Gascoigne has been readmitted into a rehabilitative institution in the south of the country," he said.

"This information came to me via a representative of his management company."

The sentencing will now take place on December 9.