Anthony Stokes, the 35-year-old former striker for Celtic, Hibs and a whole host of clubs, has been sentenced to five months in prison after violating court orders by contacting his ex-girlfriend and her parents.
Despite a clear ban against such actions, Stokes engaged in repeated communication with the woman and her family, leading to his arrest and subsequent court appearance in handcuffs at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
Sheriff Colin Dunipace criticised Stokes for his repeated disregard for the court’s directives and his conduct towards his former partner, resulting in a jail sentence and a ban on contacting his ex-partner for five years and her parents for one year. Stokes had voluntarily returned from Dublin to Scotland last month, surrendering to Motherwell police station amid ongoing legal troubles in both the Republic of Ireland and Scotland.
Court proceedings revealed that Stokes sent a total of 14 emails to his ex-partner, accusing her of infidelity and criticising her parenting skills, in addition to airing grievances on social media.
These actions have led to a significant reconsideration of his behavior, according to his defence attorney, Jim O’Dowd. O’Dowd highlighted a change in Stokes’ attitude following his time in HMP Addiewell, where he faced isolation and threats to his safety due to his high-profile status.
The court’s decision underscores the serious nature of Stokes’ actions, with Sheriff Dunipace expressing disappointment in the waste of the athlete’s talents and the tragic turn his life has taken. The sheriff made it clear the court’s responsibility to protect individuals from harassment and the inability to trust Stokes with another community order due to his past noncompliance.
Anthony Stokes’ tenure at Celtic, from 2010 to 2016, is a period marked by both professional achievements and personal controversies. After joining from Hibernian, Stokes became a notable figure on the team, and had a top partnership with Gary Hooper under Neil Lennon.
