Hibs striker Garry O’Connor in court on drugs charges

FOOTBALL ace Garry O’Connor has appeared in court on cocaine possession and resisting police arrest charges.

The Hibs star, 28, appeared today at Edinburgh Sheriff Court before Sheriff Alisdair Noble.

The former Birmingham City player pleaded not guilty to a charge alleging that on May 14 2011, at Edinburgh’s Hope Street Lane, he did resist, obstruct, hinder and molest two Lothian and Borders Police officers.

It is said that he ran away from the two PCs who were trying to establish his details at the time of the alleged incident.

O’Connor, of North Berwick, East Lothian, also pleaded not guilty to a charge alleging that he was carrying a quantity of the class A drug at the time.

Upon entering the court room dock O’Connor spent the 50 minutes waiting for the case by chewing on gum.

When he entered the dock, Sheriff Noble told him: “Can you stop chewing please.”

Defence solicitor Paul Sweeney told the court that an advocate would be representing Mr O’Connor at his trial which is expected to take place on February 23, 2012.

Sheriff Noble fixed another hearing which will take place before the trial on February 8 2012. It is expected that legal matters will be discussed at that hearing.

Sheriff Noble also told the football player that he will not have to attend the February 8 hearing.