Former Celtic footballer Anthony Stokes has been returned to Scotland to face justice after evading police for over a year.
The 33-year old footballer had been wanted for failing to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court for sentencing last year for bombarding his ex-girlfriend with offensive text messages. A warrant was issued for his arrest with the striker with police believing him to be holed up in Ireland.
He was finally arrested by police in Northern Ireland, who were assisting police in Scotland, and placed on a flight from Belfast to Dundee Airport, where police officers were waiting to take him into custody on Scottish soil. His arrival on the Loganair flight came a year after the initial warrant had been issued for his arrest.
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A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with outstanding warrants.
“He is due to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday, 18 July, 2022.”
The former Irish international footballer began his career with Arsenal before establishing himself during a loan spell with Falkirk in 2006. Hibernian signed him for £500,000 in 2009 for whom he scored 20 goals in his debut season.
He signed to Celtic the following season for £1.2 million and played under manager Neil Lennon but fell out of favour when Ronny Deila took over. Stokes rejoined His in 2017, but was released in 2018.
A source revealed: “He has been arrested by police in Northern Ireland who arranged for him to return to Scotland to face the music.
"I don’t think the courts will look too fondly on the fact that he failed to turn up for sentencing in the full knowledge that he should have done so and certainly not for this length of time.
"He's been told he'll appear in court on Monday.”
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