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      Ex-Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas denies role in £600k Stansted Airport drug smuggling plot

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      A FORMER Arsenal star has denied being behind a £600,000 Stansted Airport drug smuggling plot.Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 33, was detained by National Crime Agency officers after the haul of cannabis was seized.Ex-Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has appeared in courtCredit: GettyHe was allegedly behind a plot to smuggle cannabis into the UKCredit: National Crime AgencyEmmanuel-Thomas appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court todayCredit: PAThe former Arsenal star appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court today charged with importing Class B drugs.He denied the charge and was remanded into custody ahead of a provisional trial in May next year.The maximum sentence for cannabis importation in the UK is up to 14 years in prison.Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested in Inverclyde, Scotland, last month.Read more newsHis contract with Scottish Championship team Greenock Morton was later “terminated with immediate effect”.The NCA said the drugs were seized at Stansted Airport on September 2, with two women arrested and charged.Border Force officers allegedly found 60kg of cannabis in two suitcases which that arrived on a flight from Bangkok.Rosie Rowland, 28, and Yasmin Piotrowska, 33, also pleaded not guilty to the same charge today.Most read in FootballThey were bailed ahead of a hearing scheduled for all three defendants on January 6.Emmanuel-Thomas is a former England under-17 and under-19 international.Ex-Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas charged with importing drugs after £600,000 worth of cannabis seized at airportHe began his career at Arsenal before playing for various clubs – including Ipswich Town, Bristol City, QPR, Livingston and Aberdeen.The striker signed a six-month contract with Greenock Morton in July.NCA senior investigating officer David Phillips said: “The NCA continues to work with partners like Border Force to target those involved in drug smuggling – that includes both the couriers and the organisers.”We would appeal to anyone who is approached to engage in any kind of smuggling to think very carefully about the likely consequences of their actions and the potentially life-changing risks they will be taking.”Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested last monthCredit: InstagramHis contract at Greenock Morton has been terminatedCredit: Kenny Ramsay More

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      in Boxing

      How boxing legend played by Sydney Sweeney beat cocaine addiction before surviving murder attempt by vicious hubby

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      WITH a bullet lodged three inches from her heart and several stab wounds, boxing champ Christy Martin lay on the floor and prepared to throw in the towel.But then a voice in her head said it was not her time to die just yet.Boxing champ Christy Martin beat addiction and survived a murder attemptCredit: GettySydney Sweeney will play Christy in a film about her lifeCredit: instagram/sydney_sweeneyShowing incredible strength and de- fiance against her monstrous husband Jim Martin, who had just tried to kill her, Christy dragged herself outside, where a passing stranger took her to hospital.Now, 14 years on, the woman who made female boxing mainstream, fought as the undercard to Mike Tyson and was the first female slugger to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated, is being played by Sydney Sweeney in a movie about her life.This week, the actress was unrecognisable during filming on location in North Carolina.The as yet untitled flick will show how the fighter from small- town West Virginia took the sporting world by storm, earning more than £3million during 35 undefeated bouts, only to lose herself in domestic violence and drugs.READ MORE ON BOXINGChristy, now 56 and happily married to a woman having divorced violent former manager Jim, is keen to make one thing clear: “It is not a boxing movie.”She said in an exclusive interview: “That was the main thing I wanted to stress when I met the producers.‘Not born to box’“This is the underdog story. It’s about domestic violence, sexuality and sexual abuse.“I’m a coal miner’s daughter from a small town and no one expected I would make it. And at the same time, I had all these other things happening in my life.Most read in BoxingHuge Hollywood sexbomb unrecognisable on set of new movie – but can you guess who it is?“I hope it’s a movie that, in ten years, a father will sit down with his daughter and say, ‘These are the things I don’t ever want you to endure. I don’t ever want you pushed into a relationship’.“I want parents to watch it then say to their children, ‘If you’re gay, we will love you no matter what’.“I want people to know that to be a professional boxer, you don’t have to sell your soul to the devil. It’s a complex story and I hope it’s got a lot to say to lots of different people.”It was November 2010 when Christy, following years in an abusive marriage, finally plucked up the courage to walk out the door.Enraged Jim stabbed his wife multiple times in the chest and shot her once with her own pink revolver.The bullet narrowly missed her heart and her leg was cut almost to the bone.But in a heroic effort, she managed to escape and flag down help.Anyone But You actress Sydney, 27, signed up to play Christy despite — or perhaps because of — being famed for racy TV shows, rom coms and horror movies until now.Both women hail from unfashionable US towns. Sweeney is from Spokane, Washington, while Christy grew up in Mullens, West Virginia.But while the Hollywood star, who set pulses racing in Euphoria and White Lotus, is engaged to producer Jonathan Davino, Christy spent much of her life hiding her sexuality.Heterosexual actors playing gay roles has proved controversial in the past.Sydney coming onboard is huge. I met her over a Zoom call the other day. She has a mixed martial arts background, so she understands combat sports. It’s not exactly the same, but she understands the mentalityChristyBut Christy said: “I wasn’t worried that a straight person would be playing the part.“I was more concerned how she would feel portraying a gay person. I think she will do fine. It’s acting, so you get to be whoever you want, straight or gay.“Too much is put on that stuff. Let’s just be us and whatever happens, happens.”She added: “Sydney coming on board is huge. I met her over a Zoom call the other day. She has a mixed martial arts background, so she understands combat sports. It’s not exactly the same, but she understands the mentality.“I watched her in Anyone But You and I liked her. It will be interesting seeing her being me and I’m excited.“Sydney is an A-lister. If you ask a young guy who she is, they know her, so I think she’s pretty cool.”Christy first boxed in college, aged 18, when she was secretly dating a woman.Raised in America’s devoutly religious Rust Belt, her parents would not have approved and fighting was an escape.At her current home in Austin, Texas, Christy said: “I was definitely not born to box.Sydney has mainly starred in rom coms and horror films in the pastCredit: GettyChristy in the ring in 1996Credit: Rex“I accidentally stumbled into boxing while I was in college. I thought it would be a great challenge and I got hooked.“My mother wasn’t happy about it and my dad said, ‘If you are going to do it, get trained and don’t get hurt’. I trained very hard.“I think the instinct to go for a knockout came from the emotional turmoil within me. I knew I was gay and I knew it wasn’t going to be accepted.“My family was very religious. When I was six, an older cousin sexually molested me and I didn’t tell anyone because I was scared. I had a lot of internal turmoil and, when you get into the boxing ring, you can be aggressive and violent and that is acceptable.“But to learn the skills I had to spend hours in the gym on hand pads trying to improve my hook and jab. I had to work really hard. Nothing came easy for me.”‘Prayed to survive’The sporting star was 22 when she met Jim, who was 25 years her senior. They married in 1991, at a time when she was becoming a household name, on a run of 35 consecutive fights undefeated and appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1996.The same year, she fought on the undercard to heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson in a bout promoted by Don King.Boxing brought unimaginable riches and she estimates she made around $4million in a career that stretched from 1989 to 2012, and saw her win the WBC female super-welterweight title in 2009. Christy with her husband and trainer JimCredit: GettyThe boxing great and her wife, Lisa HolewyneCredit: instagram/christymartinpromotionsMeanwhile, her troubled personal life ended up bringing nothing but pain.She said: “Jim controlled every move I made and every person I spoke with. I was his ATM machine, his only source of income, and he isolated me.“I tried to love him and be happy, but he knew I had feelings for women and he would threaten to expose me. It was not easy to be accepted as a female boxer, and I was always worried my fans would turn against me if they found out I was gay.”In 2007, she began using cocaine to escape the misery and it took her three years to kick the habit.She said: “My husband was supplying me with coke and I was snorting it. Before I even got out of bed in the morning, he would bring a line to me. If I complained I was tired after the gym, he would crush up a line before I had the chance to take my gloves off. I would be up for days — coke, coke, coke — and I was drinking a lot of beer. I wouldn’t even leave the house because I was afraid someone would see me high.“I’m lucky I didn’t die. I looked in the mirror one night and thought, you look like an addict.When I lay down, I was ready to dieChristy on night Jim tried to kill her“And I had to accept, you don’t look like an addict, you are an addict.“It took me a couple of days to get clean, but I had to realise, this is not who I am.”Christy’s husband had always vowed he would kill her if she left him.And in 2010, when she finally plucked up the courage to walk out of his life, he attempted to make good on his word.Having found the strength to fight back from the brink, Christy now lives with fellow former boxer Lisa Holewyne, 58, who she fought in Las Vegas in 2001 and married 16 years later.Christy said of the night Jim tried to kill her: “When I lay down, I was ready to die.“But at some point during the attack, I told him, ‘You can’t kill me’, and I prayed to survive.“I believe God had a plan for me, which must be talking about domestic violence and stopping others from going down that path.“And I hope my ex spends every day of his life in jail.READ MORE SUN STORIES“If he ever gets out, I am convinced he will kill me and, who knows, he might. I still look over my shoulder sometimes. He always told me, ‘If I can’t kill you, I will find someone that will’.“I get the occasional message from someone who has been in jail with him, and that shakes me up a bit.”Jim stabbed wife Christy multiple times in the chest and shot her once with her own pink revolverCredit: AlamyChristy was the first female slugger to grace the cover of Sports IllustratedCredit: Supplied More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Man Utd star Paul Pogba breaks silence on his future amid talk of Juventus exit after winning drug ban appeal

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      PAUL POGBA has broken his silence on his future after seeing his doping ban reduced. The Juventus star had been banned from football for four years after testing positive for banned substance DHEA in August 2023.Paul Pogba has opened up on his future after seeing his drug ban reducedCredit: GettyPogba hinted at his next possible clubCredit: APHowever, having always pleaded his innocence and appealing against the decision, earlier this month the 31-year-old saw that sentence reduced to 18 months.That which will see him able to return playing the beautiful game in March 2025.But Pogba’s future remains up in the air, with his club confirming they are in talks with his representatives over his exit from the Turin outfit by mutual agreement despite having a deal valid until 2026.This has seen him linked with a shock free transfer to Marseille, with former international team-mate Patrice Evra claiming he will contact sporting director Medhi Benatia to seal the deal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEvra had said: “He wants to play football, wherever it is, for example why not OM?’ Evra said. ‘I’m going to call Benatia and tell him that the door is open.”Despite this claim, Pogba has dismissed the defender’s comments but refused to rule out a future switch.He told L’Equipe: “I laugh because he’s Uncle Pat, he said it jokingly.”I’m still under contract so it’s not credible. The possibility of coming to play in Ligue 1? Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS’I’m at a club, I’m just thinking about coming back and getting out of this situation. “Of course, you never know what tomorrow will bring, so never say never.”Paul Pogba was brought back to Man Utd to HUMILIATE Sir Alex Ferguson – I told him not to return, says Patrice EvraAsked specifically about his reduced ban, the former Manchester United midfielder added: “I was really happy. “I hadn’t done anything, why would they give me four years? “I’ll be able to go back to doing what I love the most. “It’s like I’ve been given another chance. “I’ve been given back something that had been taken away from me. “It’s a new lease on life. READ MORE SUN STORIES”March is tomorrow, it’ll come quickly. “And it’s something I can’t wait to do.”What is DHEA?PAUL POGBA tested positive for elevated levels of DHEA, a hormone that naturally occurs in the adrenal gland, in August 2023.DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, can be used to naturally boost testosterone production. It does not produce testosterone itself.It is on the world anti-doping banned substances list and carries a maximum of four years if the athlete took it deliberately to enhance their performance.DHEA can legally be sold over-the-counter in the US as a dietary product, known as prasterone.It is also taken as an anti-ageing therapy, and to treat depression and the symptoms of menopause, although there is little evidence to suggest it is effective, and it can cause serious side effects.In 2022, UFC fighter Bobby Green received a six-month ban after testing positive for a DHEA.Green said he had not realised that DHEA was banned after seeing a video on YouTube, and took the supplement after his wife bought it from a supermarket. More

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      Former Brighton Premier League wonderkid Aaron Connolly bravely reveals all about alcohol addiction and treatment

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      EX-PREMIER LEAGUE wonderkid Aaron Connolly has bravely revealed his alcohol addiction fight.The Irish international forward, 24, completed a free transfer to Championship promotion chasers Sunderland last month as he looks to resurrect his career.Sunderland’s new signing Aaron Connolly has bravely revealed all about his alcohol addictionCredit: AlamyConnolly famously burst on the scene in the top-flight aged 19 at Brighton with a brace against Tottenham.He left the Amex – following disappointing loan spells at Luton, Middlesbrough and Italian side Venezia – four years later having featured more on the gossip pages than sport ones.Connolly did score eight times for Hull City last term but that was not enough to stop him from getting released.Now he has decided to tell his story to coincide with World Mental Health Day on Sunderland’s website.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLConnolly had left home for the South Coast aged 16 but he says everything changed after that day against Spurs.He said: “I remember it – 5th of October, 2019, it was a 12.30 kick-off. I’m never going to forget that day. It was one of the best days of my life, but also one of the worst because the following five years was from that.“I just stopped working, stopped doing the things I should have kept doing. I started to believe the hype, and I just didn’t turn into a good person after that. I was tough to be around.“I didn’t know how to deal with it, if I’m being honest. My parents tried, but they weren’t living with me. I was living with my ex-girlfriend at the time, and it’s hard because I didn’t ever feel like I had that authoritative figure to keep me grounded.Most read in ChampionshipIf you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.“My parents did try, but I just let myself believe everything people were saying online and it just took over. I always say to my parents, I started to live the life of a footballer without the football side of it.“That was the hardest thing to admit at the time, that I wasn’t doing all the things that had got me to the position where I could go and get my house and treat my family, and do all that sort of stuff.Brits are more likely to open up at the pub or on a walk than on the phone or over text, study finds“It hurts to look back and speak about it because I know if I had done everything right, maybe I would still be in the Premier League. Maybe I wouldn’t, but at least I’d know I’d given it all I could to try to stay at that level.”Connolly explained how both his on and off-field life began to spiral as alcohol became a bigger and bigger problem.He said: “It was obvious I had a problem with alcohol for a good few years.“I had my parents, who never drank before and were always telling me when I was younger to stay away from alcohol. That was always their thing because of addiction to alcohol in my family.“I didn’t listen, clearly. It got me into a lot of trouble and a lot of problems, and it just became something that I relied on.”It felt like my buzz used to come from football, and winning games and scoring goals, and it got to a point where the buzz was more from drinking alcohol than going out on a football pitch.“I used to look forward to the games finishing so I could have time to go and have a drink and socialise.”I say socialise, but it was just an excuse to go and get drunk, to go straight to alcohol, and that was where I got my buzz from, whereas before, it was always the buzz of football and being around an environment like I am now.”For three or four years, that just wasn’t there.”The star burst on the scene with two goals against Tottenham in 2019Credit: ReutersConnolly managed to rediscover some form at Hull despite his “life being a mess” but he finally realised he needed to take drastic action after he was released in June by the Tigers.He explained: “I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t live the way I was living. It was killing people round me, to be honest. My family, my friends. Mainly, it was killing me, really.“I had one of my best seasons last year at Hull, but off the pitch, my life was a mess. The manager at Hull, to be fair, always looked after me, and always tried to help.”But it just got to a point where, it wasn’t like life wasn’t worth living, it wasn’t a big dramatic thing, but it was just that my life was so unmanageable and I couldn’t control what I could do and couldn’t control my alcohol.“It just got to a point where I had to make a decision where I needed to go to a treatment clinic, and I spent a month there in the summer.”I just said to my agent, ‘I don’t want you to contact any clubs. I’m not doing this for football, I’m doing this so I can get my life back, and if stuff in football comes with that, then that’s a bonus’.“It wasn’t even the football that was taking the biggest battering in the end, it was my life, my relationships, my friends. Everything was just failing and falling apart.”When your parents are calling you and you’re not answering calls because you know you’re breaking their hearts, it’s time to realise that you’ve got a problem.”Now after sealing himself an opportunity at Sunderland, Connolly wants to tell his story in the hope that it might help at least one other person struggling.He added: “It’s an addiction, and the toughest thing I ever had to do was go in there. The PFA helped me pay for my treatment, and I know some people might not be able to afford it, but it’s important to know it’s not just park bench, vodka bottle. Anybody can get affected by it.READ MORE SUN STORIES“There’s no price tag or no amount of money in the world that can cure it. It’s a disease, an illness. But going to the clinic was the best and worst month of my life.“I just hope this might help people. I had everything every young boy would dream, but I couldn’t get hold of my addiction without that help.”The Irish ace was released by Hull City in the summer and decided to check into rehabCredit: PA More

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      Former England star, 43, made guest of honour for Greece clash and will finally get long-awaited cap after mix-up

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      A ONE-CAP England star has been made the guest of honour for England’s clash with Greece on Thursday.The now 43-year-old made his one and only cap for the Three Lions at the age of 25 as a second half substitute in a 4-0 friendly win against Greece in August 2006.Ex-Prem star Chris Kirkland has been made the guest of honour for England’s match against GreeceCredit: PA:Empics SportKirkland made his one and only England appearance against Greece in 2006Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdBut the former Liverpool star never received his commemorative capCredit: GettyHowever, Chris Kirkland – once the most expensive goalkeeper in Britain after a £6million transfer to Liverpool – oddly never received the traditional cap commemorating his appearance.This oversight was only brought to the attention of the FA in recent months, who, following a flurry of apologies, promised to rectify the situation.And 18 years after Kirkland’s debut, he will now receive that cap as England once again play Greece.That appearance made good on a famous bet made by his father, Eddie, and some family friends for him to play for the national team.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 100/1 bet of £98.10 bagged the group £10,000 each.Reflecting on that bet, Kirkland told The Athletic: “If I’d gone into the bookies’ with my dad, and they’d seen me, I’m sure he would have got a lot better odds than 100/1.”I was very gangly. I wasn’t in the best shape. I must have done OK.”My dad must have seen something. I went from playing my first game in goal at nearly 14 to making my Premier League debut (for Coventry City) at 18. It was a rapid rise.”Most read in FootballKirkland starred in the top flight of English football from 2000 to 2011, starring for Coventry, Liverpool, West Brom and Wigan, before later turning out for Leicester, Doncaster, Sheffield Wednesday and Preston in the Championship.However, Kirkland was plagued with injuries throughout his career, with a back problem proving the most detrimental.Premier League fathers and sonsAfter signing for The Owls in 2012, a back spasm two days before their opening game of the season prompted him to desperately rely on painkilling tablet Tramadol as anxiety over his past knocks haunted him.He said: “I started leaving at 5:45am and getting to the training ground hours before everyone else.”I got really anxious about it, so I started taking more tablets for the anxiety. I was on a slippery slope.”Tramadol is meant to be a maximum of 400mg a day. I got to the point where I was taking 2,500mg a day. “I was taking them out onto the pitch in my goalie bag. It wasn’t for the pain. It was because I was addicted. “They were the first thing I thought about when I woke up and the last thing I thought about at night.”Tramadol was placed on the banned substance list of the World Anti-Doping Agency nine months ago.Kirkland opened up on his struggles with addiction to the substance, which went so far to making him not want to play football.He said: “I was well into the addiction. I couldn’t reverse my mindset, couldn’t reverse my addiction. GETTING HELP:If you think that you have a drug addiction then please contact your GP.You can also visit FRANK for honest information about drugs and to find local treatment services.If you are having trouble finding the right help, call the FRANK drugs helpline on 03001236600Or click here to visit the NHS website for more advice and support”I got worse and worse. I didn’t want to do anything when I got home, didn’t want to socialise, didn’t want to go out. Eventually, I didn’t want to play football.”The Covid-19 pandemic set Kirkland back on his road to kicking his addiction before he went to rehab in early 2022.Kirkland, who has proudly been clean for two and a half years, has revealed that players have privately contacted him asking for help to wean themselves off painkillers.He added: “I’m not saying it’s every other player, but it’s more than you would think.”It’s on the banned list now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if someone gets caught with them.”They’re not performance-enhancing. They’re not going to turn you into Superman or make you save every shot that comes in. “They’re dangerous. That’s the issue. I was fainting, heart palpitations, hallucinations, violently ill. They can kill you. They should have killed me. They nearly did.”Since hanging up his gloves, Kirkland moved into coaching.He started out at Port Vale in 2017, before moving to Liverpool as a women’s team coach before becoming caretaker manager.Kirkland reverted back to goalkeeper coach and assistant manager before leaving the club in 2019 to focus on the Chris Kirkland goalkeeper academy which he had founded in 2017.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn June 2020 he was appointed goalkeeping coach at Colne.He has also embarked on charitable work by going on a series of fundraising walks alongside the LFC Foundation, PFA and various other bodies.Kirkland was once the most expensive goalkeeper in BritainCredit: RexHe opened up on his mental health struggles and addiction to painkillersCredit: GettyIf you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123. More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Celtic star Anthony Stokes JAILED then BAILED after 100mph car chase with thousands of pounds worth of cocaine

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      FORMER Celtic and Hibs star Anthony Stokes has been handed a 15-month jail sentence over a seizure of almost £3,300 worth of cocaine and a high-speed car chase in Dublin.The ex-Celtic and Sunderland player, who was over the alcohol limit, drove at 100mph and nearly collided with another motorist shortly after midnight on January 6, 2023.Former footballer Anthony Stokes who was sentenced to 15 monthsCredit: CollinsAnthony StokesCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun GlasgowHe was sentenced by Judge Grainne Malone at Dublin District Court today after it emerged that he failed a recent drug test.The former footballer also entered an additional guilty plea to possessing 86 illegal street tablets in Cabinteely, south Co Dublin, about ten days after the traffic pursuit, which the judge regarded to be an aggravating factor, and she refused to suspend any of the sentence.Stokes, supported in court by his girlfriend and mother, showed no emotion as the judge jailed him and imposed a five-year driving ban.However, he lodged £840 and was released on appeal bail shortly after the judge imposed the sentence.Last month, Judge Malone had adjourned sentencing Stokes, 36, until today for a treatment report to prove he is off drugs, but it found he still had traces of cocaine in his system.Defence solicitor Lorraine Stephens said her client was young, fit, and healthy and asked the judge to consider a community service order.Ms Stephens said father-of-three Stokes had been in denial about his problems, “is trying to battle his demons,” and could need intensive psychological assistance and “proper residential treatment”.Judge Malone said Stokes could have faced up to two years’ imprisonment. Most read in FootballHowever, she gave him credit for his guilty pleas and imposed sentences totalling one year and three months.Finalising the case, she noted the evidence about the nature of his driving, the speed and length of the chase, the fact that he was uninsured, and the low alcohol reading, and she added that the drug offences were very serious.Ex-Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas charged with importing drugs after £600,000 worth of cannabis seized at airportHe pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cocaine hidden in a sock, and having the drug for sale or supply. At his previous hearing, the judge heard how his drink issues spiralled into cocaine addiction when his football career ended.Stokes admitted driving while over the alcohol limit and four counts of dangerous driving during the pursuit from the Naas Road to the Phoenix Park.The ex-Premier League star also admitted not producing a driving licence and not having motor insurance.Garda Radoslaw Konczewski recalled observing the ex-footballer speeding on Walkinstown Avenue at around 12.20 am. The officer activated his patrol car lights, but Stokes failed to stop and continued to the Long Mile Road junction, “which he entered at speed, breaking a red light”.Anthony Stokes in action for HibsCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun GlasgowStokes drove to the Naas Road, broke another red light at a major junction and continued to Ballyfermot Road, breaking two pedestrian red lights and one at a junction.He continued to Kennelsfort Road Upper, broke a red light, and “almost collided with a car on the Chapelizod bypass”.The accused, who had a passenger in the car, went to Knockmaroon Road and stopped at the closed gates of Phoenix Park. Stokes abandoned the vehicle but was caught following a short foot pursuit.The car chase lasted about 10 minutes.Garda Konczewski estimated that Stokes reached a speed of 160km/h at some stages and around 140km/h when he drove through Ballyfermot village.Gardai brought his car to Crumlin station. Cocaine worth €3,700 was found in wraps inside a sock, kept in the air vent on the driver’s side. His DNA was also found on the sock.The court heard he also provided a urine sample, which was over the alcohol limit, but he was “fully cooperative” and “he was a pleasure to deal with”.Stokes had one prior conviction in this jurisdiction for assault causing harm in 2013, which resulted in a suspended sentence and a £25,000 compensation order. The judge noted he also had a record of failing to turn up to court and has spent time in custody in another jurisdiction, but details about that were not available.In the mitigation plea, Ms Stephens said he had been a talented footballer scouted at 14 from Cherry Orchard Football Club in Dublin by Arsenal in London. He began playing for Sunderland when he was 17 and went on to more success with Celtic in the Scottish league.However, he had laboured under addiction from a young age.His adoptive parents moved over with him to help their son pursue his dreams, but after he turned 16, he began abusing alcohol. That problem progressed at the end of his career to cocaine abuse, which he was “heavily using at the time of this incident”.The court also heard that he reacted badly to the end of his career.The defence said Stokes also developed gambling problems but was featured in a documentary highlighting difficulties and mental health difficulties for up-and-coming footballers without parental supervision at a very young age.Appeal bail was set at €1,000 if he intends to challenge the jail sentence. A second male is also before the courts in relation to the drug seizure.Stokes had just been jailed in Scotland for five months after breaching strict court orders against contacting his ex-girlfriend and her family.He repeatedly messaged Eilidh Scott and her parents in defiance of a ban.He appeared from custody in handcuffs at Hamilton Sheriff Court after causing repeated delays to the case.He was also banned from contacting Scott for five years and her parents for a year.READ MORE SUN STORIESOur New YouTube ChannelSubscribe to our new Scottish Sun Sport YouTube channel for all the latest football news, views and amazing moments.We’ve got every major development covered from Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and the rest of the Scottish Premiership.Plus we have TWO brilliant new podcasts to watch every week…MONDAYGo Ballistic with Roger Hannah and special guest Kris Boyd will dissect all the weekend action and deliver their no-holds-barred reaction.WEDNESDAYRobert Grieve and Bill Leckie chew over the tastiest topics in Scottish football and offer their unique takes in their Coffee Club.FRIDAYGo Ballistic is back with Roger Hannah and top tipster Jim Delahunt looking ahead to the weekend games and analysing the biggest talking points.Subscribe now and don’t miss a thing. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Ex-Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas charged with importing drugs after £600,000 worth of cannabis seized at airport

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      AN EX-ARSENAL star has been charged with importing drugs.Striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested on Wednesday morning after £600,000 of cannabis was seized at Stansted Airport.Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged with importing drugsCredit: Getty£600,000 of cannabis was seized at Stansted AirportCredit: National Crime AgencyEmmanuel-Thomas has previously flaunted his lifestyle on InstagramCredit: InstagramThe striker will appear at Carlisle Magistrates’ court todayCredit: GettySuitcases, used to smuggle the drugs in, were discovered by UK Border Force after a flight arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, on September 2.The 33-year-old was detained by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers yesterday and has since been charged.Emmanuel-Thomas appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court today.The charge sheet states he is accused of “being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug — cannabis — on 2nd September, 2024, at London”.read more football newsHe was remanded into custody to appear at Carlisle Crown Court on October 18.Two women aged 28 and 32 were also arrested in connection with the drugs bust.They have both been charged with drug importation offences.The maximum sentence for smuggling cannabis into the UK is 14 years behind bars.Most read in FootballNCA senior investigating officer David Phillips said: “The NCA continues to work with partners like Border Force to target those involved in drug smuggling – that includes both the couriers and the organisers.”We would appeal to anyone who is approached to engage in any kind of smuggling to think very carefully about the likely consequences of their actions and the potentially life-changing risks they will be taking.”Emmanuel-Thomas joined Arsenal at the age of eight, signing a professional contract with the Gunners in 2008.He played a major role in the club’s youth team – scoring in every round of the 2008-9 FA Youth Cup.But the striker struggled to make a break-through into the first team and after a series of loan spells signed for Ipswich Town in 2011 for an undisclosed fee. He went on to play for Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship, and has also played for Aberdeen, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers and Thai side PTT Rayong. More

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      Ex-Premier League star on trial accused of smuggling TWO TONS of cocaine as he’s called ‘major player in drugs world’

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      FORMER Premier League star Ronnie Stam has gone on trial – accused of smuggling TWO TONS of cocaine.And the former Wigan defender is also being investigated for alleged money laundering, together with four family members.Ronnie Stam is on trial accused of smuggling two tons of cocaineCredit: GettyStam was part of Wigan’s FA Cup-winning run in 2013Credit: Action Images – ReutersStam, 40, spent three top-flight seasons with the Latics.  He took part in their FA Cup-winning run in 2013, although missed their 1-0 final win over Manchester City.But Dutch police arrested him in June on suspicion of drug offences in 2021 and 2022.  He has been on remand since then.And a court in Breda on Thursday heard that Stam had been involved in trafficking 2,217 kilos of cocaine.A prosecutor told the hearing: “This case concerns hundreds of kilos of cocaine each time.Read More on Football”I contend that Stam was a major player in the drugs world.”Stam was not in court to hear the accusations.  He must appear before a judge on November 28.The player’s parents, brother and girlfriend were arrested alongside him in June under suspicion of the same offences after police reportedly cracked an encrypted messaging service.Cops later raided six homes and a camper van, finding €100,000 (£85,000) in cash.Most read in FootballThey seized the money, three properties, a yacht, three cars, six luxury watches and jewellery.Stam is the only family member still in custody.  His lawyer asked the court to provisionally release the ex-player.Dream Team Transfer Suggestions for Gameweek 4However the judge refused, voicing fears that Stam will flee to join his brother in Dubai.The footballer won the Dutch Eredivisie title with Twente under ex-England boss Steve McClaren in 2010.That helped him land a £2million move to the Premier League, where he made 73 appearances before leaving Wigan for Belgian side Standard Liege in 2013. More