Stokes fined for driving unlicensed

Hibs footballer Anthony Stokes collected an unwanted three points yesterday after he pled guilty to driving without a licence.

The former Celtic striker admitted his guilt, but did not turn up to Glasgow’s Justice of the Peace Court.

His absence came less than a week after being banished from training for breaking a curfew during a team trip to Portugal.

Irish-born Stokes, who only has a provisional licence, illegally drove on Cumbernauld Road in east Glasgow. He was driving a Mitsubishi Shogun 4x4 on 28 January last year when stopped by police.

The 29-year-old, who lives in Park Circus in the west end of the city, was represented at court yesterday.

Defence lawyer Michael Gallen said Stokes pled guilty to driving without a licence, but not guilty to driving without insurance, which prosecutors accepted.

Stokes was given three points on his licence and a £160 fine.

Mr Gallen said: “He holds a licence issued by the driving authority in Ireland. At the time of this particular offence, his misunderstanding was that he was covered in the UK by virtue of that licence.”