The British court heard the case of Anthony Stokes, ex-footballer for Celtic, Sunderland and the Republic of Ireland, who was charged with possession and intent to supply cocaine of nearly €4,000, hidden in his socks, in his car after a high-speed chase by the Gardaí in Dublin. Stokes, who had been clocked speeding at 160km/h and narrowly avoiding a crash with another car, was brought before Judge Grainne Malone, who has now deferred his sentencing pending the results of a report to verify Stokes’ current drug-free status.
Documented in court was how Stokes’ misuse of alcohol escalated into cocaine dependency after his football career ended. He also confessed to dangerous driving on four occasions, driving under alcohol influence, driving without a license, and lacking car insurance.
Testifying, Garda Radoslaw Konczewski remembered sighting Stokes’ vehicle speeding along Walkinstown Avenue just after midnight. Despite activating his patrol car’s lights, Stokes failed to stop, proceeding to the Long Mile Road junction at high speed, and ran a red light.
Stokes continued a reckless journey to Naas Road, shattered another red light rule, and continued to Ballyfermot Road, breaking two more pedestrian red lights and one at a junction before ending up at Kennelsfort Road Upper, where he violated another red light near the Chapelizod bypass and barely missed an accident with another car.
The 36-year-old, who had a companion in the vehicle, then drove to Knockmaroon Road and stopped at the Phoenix Park’s closed gates. Despite trying to abandon his car and run, Stokes was eventually apprehended after a brief foot chase.
The entire sequence of events lasted about 10 minutes, and the Garda officer estimated that at points, Stokes had hit speeds of 160km/h. His vehicle was taken to Crumlin station, where the cocaine, valued at €3,700, was discovered wrapped in a sock.
A urine test indicated an alcohol level of 59 mg per 100ml, exceeding the legal limit. Garda Konczewski told Lorraine Stephens, Stokes’ defence solicitor, that despite the circumstances, he had been completely cooperative at the station.
The court was informed of Stoke’s previous run-in with the law for an instance of assault in 2013 which led to a suspended sentence and an order for reparation. Ms Stephens implored the magistrate not to incarcerate her defendant, a father of three.
In her appeal for leniency, she picturised him as a promising footballer first identified by Arsenal in London at 14, while he was playing at the Cherry Orchard Football Club in Dublin. He joined Sunderland at 17 and later found success with Celtic in Scotland. However, his achievements were overshadowed by his early age battles with addiction.
The court learnt that the end of Stoke’s sports career have had a negative impact on his behaviour. Ms Stephens proclaimed that he is currently detoxified and abstinent. An affiliation with a related service was stated and the court took note of his forthcoming medical examination to confirm his drug-free status.
Statements also divulged his challenging upbringing. Two caring individuals adopted him after martial complexities left his biological mother unable to care for him. The judge familiarised himself with Stoke’s struggle with gambling.
Ms Stephens announced that he had transitioned from denial and was working hard on complete abstinence to rectify the problems that have led him to the courtroom. She underscored his determination to avoid prison.
The sentencing process was postponed to the 1st of October pending the outcome of his drug reports. Ms Stephens commented that she regarded his driving habits in a serious light and was expecting additional information regarding this issue at the subsequent hearing.