London: Paul Gascoigne told the High Court in London recently that phone hacking by a newspaper group had driven the former England football star to alcoholism and destroyed his life.


Former Spurs and England player Paul Gascoigne. Pic/Getty Images 

Gascoigne, 47, said he was afraid to speak to his family, lost friends he thought were betraying him and spent 80,000 pounds (113,000 euros, $120,000) on counter-surveillance equipment.