Ex-Hibs striker Garry O’Connor arrested on cocaine charge after derby crunch

Published on 04/12/2012 12:01

Former Hibs striker Garry O’Connor has been arrested for the alleged possession of cocaine – hours after joining fans at the weekend derby match.

It is understood O’Connor, 29, was arrested after attending the Scottish Cup game which saw Hibs beat rivals Hearts 1-0.

He was apprehended by police officers on Leith Walk, a short distance from Hibs haunt the Harp and Castle pub, at around 8pm.

It is claimed O’Connor was placed face down on the pavement and cuffed by an officer.

David Scott, 19, who works at La Favorita takeaway, said: “It all happened about 10pm on Sunday. I was in work and heard a bunch of Hibs fans singing and so went outside and was watching what was going on.

“There was a big load of police cars and I walked into the middle of Leith Walk for a better view.

“I looked across and was shocked to see Garry O’Connor surrounded by police. It looked like he was being searched because there was a police officer with plastic gloves on..”

O’Connor tweeted a picture of him making a 1-0 gesture earlier that evening, when he joined fans at Easter Road for the cup match.

Supporters said O’Connor, who now plays for Russian side Tom Tomsk, jumped the queue to buy a drink at the stadium.

He was spotted queue-jumping at the Behind The Goals bar in the Famous Five Stand. Scores of supporters were waiting to be served in the packed bar when the former striker pushed in to place his order.

Fan David Williams, 48, said: “The bar was absolutely packed before the big cup game on Sunday.

“The queue was ridiculously long and it was taking up to half an hour to get served when we saw O’Connor just walk to the head of the queue and order a few drinks for him and his pals.

“I don’t think the bar staff knew he had jumped in, but a few fans were giving him an earful.

“He’s always been a bit of a big head and he just laughed it off when confronted about jumping in. He’s just lucky someone didn’t lamp him one because there were a few angry fans.”

O’Connor, 29, left Hibs to sign for Tom Tomsk at the end of last season and played his last match for the Edinburgh club in the 5-1 Scottish Cup final humbling by Hearts in May.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokeswoman said: “A 29-year-old man has been charged in connection with alleged drugs offences and is due to appear at court at a later date.”