Ex-celt stokes in court return vow
Sheriff allows bail for striker
FORMER Celtic striker Anthony Stokes has appeared in court after being returned to Scotland over an outstanding court case.
The 33-year old footballer had been wanted for failing to appear for sentencing at Hamilton Sheriff Court for bombarding his ex-girlfriend Eilidh Scott with offensive text messages.
He was finally arrested by police in Northern Ireland, who were assisting police in Scotland, and placed on a flight from Belfast to Dundee Airport.
Stokes appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court via video link from Glasgow’s London Road police station before he was given bail by a sheriff.
His lawyer told the court he had been living in Dublin and thought his cases could be dealt with in his absence.
Tom Watters, defending, said: “I have explained that while he might have been naive in thinking that, these matters are not going anywhere.
“The last thing he wants to do is spend more time in a cell in London Road police station.”
Sheriff Scott Pattison asked Stokes if he would return for another calling of his case next month and he replied: “Yes I will be here.”
The sheriff added: “On the promise that you will be back in the country in good time for the next calling, I will grant you bail.” He will appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court on August 19.
Stokes had earlier admitted messaging Eilidh Scott’s father George despite being under a strict court order banning him from contacting him.
In 2019, Stokes admitted a stalking campaign where he bombarded his ex-girfriend with a string of abusive messages that saw him send 100 texts a day on WhatsApp and email.
Stokes won seven trophies in six seasons at Parkhead and scored twice in Hibs’ 3-2 Scottish Cup win over Rangers in 2016.
He is currently without a club.