O’Connor’s trial team ready to go

A lawyer acting for the striker told Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday that his defence had fully prepared its case against the allegations.

The 29-year-old, of North Berwick, East Lothian, has pleaded not guilty to a charge alleging that he was in possession of the class A substance in Edinburgh’s Hope Street Lane on May 14, 2011.

He also denies a charge of resisting police arrest on the same date at the same location.

Solicitor Cameron Tait appeared at a preparatory hearing at the court and said that he was acting on behalf of Mr O’Connor’s Glasgow-based lawyers.

He said the defence would lead “forensic evidence” in their attempts to answer prosecution claims that O’Connor broke the law.

Sheriff John Horsburgh QC continued the case until Monday, when O’Connor will appear in court.

Mr O’Connor wasn’t present in court during the five-minute long hearing – his attendance had been excused at earlier proceedings.