Ex-Celt Stokes in court on stalking rap
STAR FACES TRIAL
He is adamant he has not breached the terms of the order
FORMER Celtic star Anthony Stokes has appeared in court to face charges that he stalked his ex-girlfriend.
The 31-year-old has also been charged with breaching a court order banning him from contacting Eilidh Scott for four years.
Prosecutors claim Stokes stalked Eilidh between November 16 and December 3 last year by repeatedly sending her emails and text messages in which he swore and made offensive remarks. He is also accused of making telephone calls and sending messages to her parents, George and Rachel Scott, in which he made offensive and inappropriate remarks about their daughter.
Stokes is alleged to have breached orders not to contact Eilidh or Rachel between November 16 and December 2 last year.
The Dublin-born striker – who has also played for Arsenal, Falkirk and Hibs during his 15-year professional football career – appeared in handcuffs from custody at Hamilton Sheriff Court and pled not guilty to the three charges he faces.
He was released on bail by Sheriff Moira MacKenzie and will stand trial on April 28.
Depute fiscal Morag McLintock asked for Stokes to be remanded in custody.
She said: “The Crown is opposed to bail given the nature of the allegation, which is a repeated breach of a court order.
“The witnesses are not being given the protection they should expect from the order and he should be remanded.”
Stokes’ solicitor, Michael Gallen, said: “He is adamant he has not breached the terms of the order in any way and that will have to be resolved at trial.
“He is a man in full-time employment as a professional footballer who makes a financial contribution to the looking after of his child and any time on remand would restrict his ability to do so.
“Having spent three nights in police custody, it has brought home to him the situation and he will adhere to any conditions of bail.”
At Hamilton Sheriff Court last September, Stokes was handed the non-harassment orders by Sheriff Alasdair MacFadyen. As part of his bail conditions, he is banned from contacting Eilidh or her parents in any way. He is also banned from entering two streets in Shotts, Lanarkshire, where they live.
Stokes won seven trophies in six seasons at Celtic Park and netted twice in Hibs’ 3-2 Scottish Cup win over Rangers in 2016. He recently signed a six-month deal with Iranian side Persepolis FC.
MICHAEL GALLEN ON CHARGES STOKES FACES