Former England soccer star Paul Gascoigne was scolded by a judge on Thursday after he failed to appear in court -- because he had checked into rehab.

The troubled sportsman, due to face sentencing after he was caught drinking and driving earlier this year, skipped the hearing to seek treatment at a clinic in Bournemouth, England.

District Judge Stephen Earl ordered Gascoigne to appear at Newcastle Magistrates' Court in December, and warned he faces spending the holiday season in prison.

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

"If he can attend there voluntarily, he can attend court voluntarily."

Gascoigne was arrested by police in February, along with his friend Michael Harvey, on suspicion of being drunk while in charge of a vehicle.

Just a day later, the pair was arrested by cops once again for a public order offence in Darlington, north England.

He also faces further punishment over his arrest for driving under the influence last month.