Former Celtic striker Anthony Stokes has appeared in court docket in Lanarkshire after being returned to Scotland over an excellent case.
The 33-year previous footballer was needed for failing to seem for sentencing at Hamilton Sheriff Court docket after bombarding his ex-girlfriend with offensive textual content messages.
He was lastly arrested by police in Northern Eire, who had been aiding Police Scotland, and positioned on a flight from Belfast to Dundee Airport.
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Stokes appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court docket by way of video hyperlink from Glasgow's London Street police station earlier than he was given bail by a sheriff.
His lawyer instructed the court docket he had been residing in Dublin and thought his instances could possibly be handled in his absence.
Tom Watters, defending, mentioned: "He's somebody who's well-known due to his sporting life, however I've defined to him that these issues will not be going to go away.
"He thought issues could possibly be handled in his absence and be resolved whereas he was staying away from the complainer on this case. I've defined that whereas he might need been naive in considering that, these issues will not be going anyplace.
"If allowed his liberty, then he ought to be again right here per week earlier than. The very last thing he desires to do is spend extra time in a cell in London Street police station."
Sheriff Scott Pattison requested Stokes if he would return for one more calling of his case subsequent month and he replied, 'sure I will likely be right here'.
The sheriff added: "I'll defer this matter till subsequent month and on the promise that you'll be again within the nation in good time for the subsequent calling, I'll grant you bail."
He'll seem at Hamilton Sheriff Court docket on August 19.
Stokes had earlier admitted messaging his ex's dad, regardless of being beneath a strict court docket order banning him from contacting him.
In 2019, Stokes admitted a stalking marketing campaign the place he bombarded the lady with a string of abusive messages that noticed him ship 100 texts a day on WhatsApp and e mail.
He labelled her a 's**t', a 's**' and a 'w***e', turned up at her residence in Shotts, late at evening and demanded to know her whereabouts.
The marketing campaign of abuse lasted between July 2018 and February 2019.
Ordering the warrant for his arrest in June final 12 months, Sheriff Allan McKay mentioned: "He pled responsible and was launched on bail and he has now left the nation in breach of bail.
"He isn't right here in breach of his bail circumstances and I am under no circumstances positive that he'll come again until required to take action by some form of authority so to do this I am issuing a warrant for his arrest."
Hours after the warrant was taken, brazen Stokes posted a selfie on social media with the caption, 'any dangerous information?'.
And over the festive season he posted snaps of himself posing in a bar whereas sporting Adidas Yeezy trainers and later posted a photograph exhibiting an costly Rolex watch.
Stokes gained seven trophies in six seasons at Parkhead and scored twice in Hibs' 3-2 Scottish Cup win over Rangers in 2016.
He has additionally had spells with Falkirk, Sunderland and Iranian outfit Tractor however is at present with out a membership.
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