Anthony Stokes receives a five-month prison sentence for sending ‘chilling’ messages to his ex-girlfriend in breach of court orders

Anthony Stokes, the former Arsenal and Celtic footballer, has been sentenced to five months in prison for breaching court orders by sending disturbing messages to his ex-girlfriend, Eilidh Scott. The 35-year-old striker was found to have repeatedly messaged Scott and her parents despite a strict court-imposed ban.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that the messages sent by Stokes were described as “a little short of chilling,” leading to his incarceration. In addition to his prison sentence, Stokes has been prohibited from contacting Scott for five years and her parents for one year.

The court was informed that Stokes had sent a total of 14 emails to Scott, accusing her of infidelity and questioning her capabilities as a mother. He also made references to her alleged cheating on his social media profiles.

Stokes’ legal representative, Jim O’Dowd, stated that the former footballer’s time in custody has led to a significant change in his attitude towards the offences. He acknowledged the distress caused to the victims and expressed Stokes’ understanding of the seriousness of the matter.

Sheriff Colin Dunipace, who presided over the case, expressed disappointment at seeing a talented individual like Stokes in such a predicament. He emphasized the court’s duty to protect women from this type of behaviour and expressed doubts about Stokes’ compliance with further community orders.

In 2019, Stokes admitted to sending a series of abusive messages to Scott, including derogatory names and demands to know her whereabouts. He was subsequently handed a four-year non-harassment order against Scott and her parents in September 2019.

This sentencing marks a fall from grace for Stokes, who once enjoyed a successful football career with clubs such as Arsenal and Celtic. His time in custody has been challenging, with reports suggesting he has been confined to his cell for 23 hours a day due to safety concerns.