Ex-Arsenal, Sunderland and Celtic ace Stokes faces arrest if he sets foot in Scotland over claims he ‘stalked’ ex
A sheriff issued an arrest warrant after the footballer, now playing in Iran, failed to attend court to face a string of charges including abuse and harassment
FORMER Premier League striker Anthony Stokes is wanted by cops over an alleged seven-month stalking campaign against an ex.
A sheriff issued an arrest warrant after the footballer, 30, failed to attend court to face a string of charges including abuse and harassment.
Stokes, a former Arsenal and Celtic forward who now plays in Iran, is accused of causing “fear and alarm”.
The footie ace will be lifted by cops if he sets foot in Scotland again, it’s claimed.
Stokes is accused of stalking the woman on various occasions between July 13, 2018 and February 8 this year.
Court papers allege he repeatedly phoned and left voicemails. The calls were claimed to be threatening.
He is also said to have bombarded her with abusive and sexual texts and social media messages.
A source close to the Irish striker revealed he made the switch abroad after being plagued by headlines here.
They said: “When I heard he was playing overseas, it made sense.
“Playing for his current side allowed him to get back enjoying the game away from the hassle that often goes hand in hand with the raised profile modern professionals have.”
But they warned: “He faces arrest if he sets foot back here.”
Stokes is also accused of banging on the alleged victim’s door in Shotts, Lanarkshire, and elsewhere last July.
Prosecutors claim he shouted through her letterbox and waited outside her home in his motor.
The footballer allegedly stood in the road and blocked a car being driven by a man who had taken his ex-home.
Charges state Stokes shouted, swore and gesticulated at him and the occupants of the vehicle. He then allegedly kicked the motor, while shouting and swearing at the woman.
Stokes is further said to have shouted and sworn at the woman in various locations in Glasgow on September 30 last year, before following her home and entering her property uninvited.
He then allegedly asked her mum about her whereabouts.
And Stokes is said to have returned to shout and swear at his former partner through a window on October 9.
It is understood Stokes was informed of the charges against him in writing.
But he failed to attend Hamilton Sheriff Court when the case first called.
Sheriff Daniel Kelly issued an arrest warrant over the no-show the same day.
Cops said: “A 30-year-old man was the subject of a report to the fiscal in connection with section 38 and 39 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010.”
A Crown Office spokeswoman said: “There is an active case.”
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
Stokes won seven trophies in six seasons at Parkhead and netted twice in Hibs’ 3-2 Scottish Cup win over Rangers in 2016.
The striker joined Arsenal from Shelbourne as a teen but made only a handful off appearances before spells at Falkirk, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers.
He won nine international caps for the Republic of Ireland.
Stokes’ agent did not respond to our request for comment.
