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Former Celtic and Hibs star Anthony Stokes has appeared in court accused of stalking a woman.

The 30-year-old former Republic of Ireland striker allegedly harassed her over a seven-month period.

Stokes, who now plays in Iran , is said to have bombarded the woman with abusive phone calls, texts and social media messages.

On one occasion it's claimed he went to a house in Shotts, Lanarkshire, banged repeatedly on the door and shouted through the letterbox.

He's also accused of blocking a vehicle in which the woman was a passenger in by standing in the middle of the road, asking the male driver what he was doing and kicking the car.

(Image: SNS Group)

The charge further states that Stokes shouted abuse at the woman on a number of occasions and followed her.

Stokes denies a course of conduct which caused fear or alarm to the woman between July 2018 and February this year.

His address was given as care of Tractor Sazi FC in the Persian Gulf Pro League.

A warrant for his arrest was granted at Hamilton Sheriff Court last month after he failed to answer the charge.

But prosecutor Morag McLintock told the court today that after contact was made with Stokes’s lawyer it was agreed he could attend voluntarily.

McLintock did not oppose bail ahead of trial, but asked for special conditions banning him from contacting the woman and entering the street where she lives.

But Michael Gallen, representing Stokes, argued against this.

Sheriff Marie Smart refused the Crown request. She set trial for August 1 and released Stokes on the standard bail conditions.