Former Hibs star Anthony Stokes denies stalking ex-girlfriend

Former Hibs star Anthony Stokes has appeared in court charged with stalking his ex-girlfriend.

The 31-year-old striker also faces claims he breached a court order banning him from contacting Eilidh Scott for four years.

Prosecutors claim Stokes stalked Miss Scott between November 16 and December 3 last year by repeatedly sending her emails and text messages in which he swore and uttered 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.

Hamilton Sheriff Court.

Stokes is alleged to have breached orders not to contact Miss Scott or her mother between November 16 and December 2 last year.

Denies all charges

The Irish footballer, who has also played for Celtic and Arsenal, 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 that they should expect from the order and he should be remanded."

Michael Gallen, defending, said: "He is adamant that 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."

Bail Conditions

Stokes was subject to the non-harassment orders in September last year at the same court by Sheriff Alasdair MacFadyen.

As part of his bail conditions he is banned from contacting Miss Scott or her parents in any way and is also banned from entering two streets in Shotts, Lanarkshire, where they live.

Stokes won seven trophies in six seasons at Parkhead and netted twice in Hibs’ 3-2 Scottish Cup win over Rangers in 2016.

He joined Iranian team Tractor Sazi FC in 2018 but last year signed a deal with Turkish second division side Adana Demirspor.

Stokes recently signed a six-month deal with Iranian side Persepolis FC.