Footballer Jay Emmanuel-Thomas denies drug smuggling charge
The 33-year-old has appeared in court in Essex accused of trying to smuggle £600,000 worth of cannabis through Stansted Airport
Former Morton striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has appeared at a court in Essex accused of trying to smuggle £600,000 of cannabis through Stansted Airport.
The 33-year-old was sacked by the Scottish Championship side after his arrest last month.
The Arsenal academy product, who also turned out for Livingston and Aberdeen appeared before Chelmsford Crown Court by video-link from HMP Durham on Friday and pleaded not guilty to importing class B drugs.
Three people charged with trying to smuggle cannabis
He is accused, together with co-defendants Rosie Rowland and Yasmin Piotrowska, of the alleged offence between July 1 and September 2 of this year.
Rowland, 28, and 33-year-old Piotrowska both also pleaded not guilty to the charge as they appeared in the dock.
Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested in Greenock by National Crime Agency officers last month and was questioned before he was remanded into custody.
The footballer, who wore a grey prison-issue tracksuit and was seated for the court hearing, has also played for Ipswich Town, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers and Thai side PTT Rayong.
His arrest came after the NCA seized an estimated £600,000 of the class B drug as it was being smuggled through Stansted on September 2.
Trial provisionally set for May
Border Force officers detected roughly 60kg of the drug in two suitcases, which had arrived via a flight from Bangkok, Thailand.
A trial, estimated to last five to seven days, is due to take place on a date to be fixed, with a further case management hearing scheduled for January 6.
Judge Christopher Morgan remanded Emmanuel-Thomas in custody and bailed Rowland and Piotrowska until then.
He said the trial could provisionally take place in May.