Sheriff slams Hibs’ O’Connor for no-show on drug charge

HIBS footballer Garry O’Connor has been slammed by a sheriff after he missed a court date to prepare for last night’s match against Aberdeen.

The 28-year old striker was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday.

His solicitor, Gerry Britton, told Sheriff Kenneth Maciver that O’Connor was maintaining his not guilty plea to charges of resisting arrest and possession of cocaine in the city on May 14 last year. The trial is due to take place later this month.

Questioning O’Connor’s absence, Sheriff Maciver said: “These are significant charges. They are not trivial matters.”

He added that the player should have been present.

Fiscal depute, Bruce Macrosson, told him that the defence had contacted the fiscal’s office and made them aware of the situation and they had agreed they would not issue a warrant for his non-appearance.

Mr Macrosson said that due to the ongoing discussions there should be another hearing before the trial date.

Sheriff Maciver agreed to this, but ordered that O’Connor appear personally.