Latest news with #Emmanuel-Thomas
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ex-Arsenal star sentenced last month for part in £600k drug smuggling plot signs for new team
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, a product of the Arsenal academy, was sentenced to four years in prison last month for his part in a £600k drug smuggling plot - but is already back in the game Disgraced former Arsenal footballer Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is back in the game, just one month after being jailed for four years. The 34-year-old was sentenced in June for his part in a £600,000 drug smuggling plot in what was described as a 'catastrophic error of judgement'. Emmanuel-Thomas was sacked by Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton after his arrest in September last year. The former Arsenal academy product initially denied the charges but changed his plea to guilty at a hearing on May 7 at Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex. After being found guilty, he was handed a four-year prison sentence, but subsequently released on parole having served 10 months of his sentence at HMP Chelmsford. National League South side AFC Totton have now confirmed his signature ahead of the new season with a brief statement reading: "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jay Emmanuel-Thomas to the club. Jay joins us with a wealth of experience in the Championship and we're sure his goals will lead to a successful season here on the South Coast!" Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested after officers from the National Crime Agency seized an estimated £600,000 of cannabis as it was being brought through Stansted Airport by two women he had recruited – his girlfriend and her friend. Prosecutor David Josse KC told Chelmsford Crown Court the 'interception' of the two women – Emmanuel-Thomas's girlfriend Yasmin Piotrowska and her friend Rosie Rowland – happened at the airport. He said it 'became apparent this defendant, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, had been involved in their recruitment to travel to Thailand'. Before handing down the sentence, Judge Alexander Mills said: "It is through your own actions you will no longer be known as a professional footballer. You will be known as a criminal. A professional footballer who threw it all away." The footballer, whose former clubs include Ipswich, Bristol City, QPR, Livingston, Aberdeen and Thai side PTT Rayong, was sentenced at the start of June. Alex Rose, for Emmanuel-Thomas, said: 'The financial gain in this case for Mr Emmanuel-Thomas was £5,000.' Mr Rose said the defendant was a father-of-two and had made a 'catastrophic error of judgment'. He said a 'period of being out of contract led to very significant financial hard times' and he 'succumbed to temptation'. In a letter read out in court before his sentencing, Emmanuel Thomas wrote: "This past year has been the most harmful and eye-opening of my life. At times it has been unbearable." He added that he "never imagined" he could be in this situation, and he "completely regrets but takes full responsibility for" his actions.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ex-Arsenal starlet jailed over £600k cannabis plot signs for new club after release from prison
A FORMER Arsenal starlet who was jailed over a £600k cannabis plot has returned to football. 5 Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has signed for AFC Totton Credit: 5 He has been in jail for a drug plot worth £600k Credit: PA 5 He came through the youth academy at Arsenal Credit: Getty The forward had already served 10 months of the sentence in HMP Chelmsford. Emmanuel-Thomas, 34, was first arrested after border officials seized two suitcases containing £600k worth of cannabis at Stansted Airport. The drugs, which weighed around 60kg, had arrived via flight from Bangkok in Thailand. Chelmsford Crown Court heard the drugs were brought into the UK by Emmanuel-Thomas' girlfriend Yasmin Piotrowska. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL She had flown business class to Stanstead Airport with Rosie Rowland to carry out the plot on September 2. He has now made his return to football, having signed for National League South side AFC Totton. The former Gunner was announced as a stag on social media. A statement read: "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jay Emmanuel-Thomas to the club. Most read in Football JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS "Jay joins us with a wealth of experience in the Championship and we're sure his goals will lead to a successful season here on the South Coast." He will wear the no.14 shirt for the Stags. Ex-Arsenal starlet jailed over plot to smuggle £600k of cannabis into UK Emmanuel-Thomas is a former He began his career at While at the Gunners, he did make five first-team appearances, including one in the Premier League and one in the Champions League. However, both of those substitute appearances ended in defeat as Arsenal lost to Shakhtar Donetsk and 5 Greenock Mortons sacked Emmanuel Thomson after he was arrested Credit: © Jamie Williamson, All rights reserved 5 He has also played for Aberdeen in Scotland Credit: PA It was his He played 103 times for the Robins, scoring 33 goals and assisting 20. He was sacked by Scottish club Greenock Morton following his arrest last year.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Arsenal starlet jailed over £600k cannabis plot signs for new club after release from prison
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FORMER Arsenal starlet who was jailed over a £600k cannabis plot has returned to football. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was released from prison earlier this month on parole despite being sentenced to four years in June. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has signed for AFC Totton Credit: 5 He has been in jail for a drug plot worth £600k Credit: PA 5 He came through the youth academy at Arsenal Credit: Getty The forward had already served 10 months of the sentence in HMP Chelmsford. Emmanuel-Thomas, 34, was first arrested after border officials seized two suitcases containing £600k worth of cannabis at Stansted Airport. The drugs, which weighed around 60kg, had arrived via flight from Bangkok in Thailand. Chelmsford Crown Court heard the drugs were brought into the UK by Emmanuel-Thomas' girlfriend Yasmin Piotrowska. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL IRON IT OUT West Ham face vacating London Stadium if major sporting event gets green light She had flown business class to Stanstead Airport with Rosie Rowland to carry out the plot on September 2. He has now made his return to football, having signed for National League South side AFC Totton. The former Gunner was announced as a stag on social media. A statement read: "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jay Emmanuel-Thomas to the club. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS "Jay joins us with a wealth of experience in the Championship and we're sure his goals will lead to a successful season here on the South Coast." He will wear the no.14 shirt for the Stags. Ex-Arsenal starlet jailed over plot to smuggle £600k of cannabis into UK Emmanuel-Thomas is a former England under-17 and under-19 international. He began his career at Arsenal before playing for various clubs - including Ipswich Town, Bristol City, QPR, Livingston and Aberdeen. While at the Gunners, he did make five first-team appearances, including one in the Premier League and one in the Champions League. However, both of those substitute appearances ended in defeat as Arsenal lost to Shakhtar Donetsk and Chelsea. 5 Greenock Mortons sacked Emmanuel Thomson after he was arrested Credit: © Jamie Williamson, All rights reserved 5 He has also played for Aberdeen in Scotland Credit: PA It was his spell at Bristol City between 2013 and 2015 that he enjoyed the most success. He played 103 times for the Robins, scoring 33 goals and assisting 20. He was sacked by Scottish club Greenock Morton following his arrest last year.
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Daily Record
Scots footballer on parole weeks after jail sentence for £600k drug smuggling plot
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 34, was jailed for four years in June for orchestrating the importation of a 60kg (132lb) haul but has now been released on parole after his time on remand was taken into account. A Scots football star who took part in a £600k drug smuggling plot has begged for forgiveness while driving a flash Tesla and getting his hair braided after being released on parole. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 34, was jailed for four years in June for orchestrating the importation of a 60kg (132lb) haul but has now been released on parole after his time on remand was taken into account. Speaking for the first time since being released, Emmanuel-Thomas apologised to Greenock Morton - the club he was playing for when arrested. Posting on his personal Instagram, the striker - who also played for Arsenal, Aberdeen and Livingston, among other clubs - said: "Apologies to all affiliated with Greenock Morton. "I let you guys down big time, hopefully you can forgive me. If the chance comes along I will right my wrongs but that will be up to the club, if it does not I wish you all the best and thank you." He also posted a video of himself driving a Tesla, getting his hair braided and training on a football pitch - seemingly in London. Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested after a drugs haul was found at London Stansted Airport, Essex, on September 2. His girlfriend, 33-year-old Yasmin Piotrowska, and her friend, Rosie Rowland, 29, had been recruited to travel to Thailand and smuggle the cannabis back. After landing in London on a flight from Bangkok, the pair were stopped and their suitcases searched - with officers finding a total of 60kg of cannabis in their four suitcases. Piotrowska, of Kensal Green, London, and Rowland, of Chelmsford, Essex, were also charged with smuggling cannabis. However, the women said they believed they were transporting gold, and they were acquitted. It is believed Thomas, who was living in Gourock, near Glasgow, was the intermediary between suppliers in Thailand and drug pushers in the UK. The investigation revealed that with Thomas's encouragement, the women had made a near identical trip - all expenses paid and a promised payment of £2,500 - a few months earlier in July. On his way to custody after being arrested, he said unprompted: "I just feel sorry for the girls." Emmanuel-Thomas was once a prodigy at Arsenal, and tipped for the top but he slid down the footballing pyramid and was tempted into crime during "significant financial hard times" when out of contract, his barrister said during sentencing.
STV News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas hopes for Morton return after jail term for drug smuggling
Former Morton striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has apologised to fans following his release from prison after a drug-smuggling conviction – and suggested he wants to play for the club again. Emmanuel-Thomas was jailed for four years after admitting being involved in a £600,000 drug smuggling scheme after 60kg of cannabis was seized at Stansted Airport. At a sentencing hearing last month he was told that no more than 19 months would be served in custody and having spent time on remand ahead of his trial, he has now been freed. The former Aberdeen, Livingston and Morton striker posted footage on social media at the weekend that showed him back in training, and he has now posted a message on Instagram apologising to supporters for letting them down. 'Apologies to all affiliated with Greenock Morton,' he wrote. 'I let you guys down big time, hopefully you can forgive me. 'If the chance comes along I will right my wrongs but that will be up to the club, if it does not I wish you all the best and thank you.' The Championship club declined to comment when contacted by STV. Morton sacked Emmanuel-Thomas last September when he was arrested and charged with smuggling drugs through Stansted Airport. A statement at the time read: 'Greenock Morton FC can confirm that the contract of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been terminated with immediate effect. 'The club will be making no further comment on the matter.' Emmanuel-Thomas was charged after the National Crime Agency (NCA) seized an estimated £600,000 of the class B drug as it was being smuggled through Stansted on September 2 by two woman he had recruited. Border Force officers detected roughly 60kg (132lb) of the drug in two suitcases, which had arrived on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand via Dubai. Emmanuel-Thomas pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex to fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on the importation of cannabis between July 1, 2024 and September 2, 2024. He had previously denied the charges when asked to enter a plea in October last year, but changed his plea to guilty at a hearing on May 7. On Thursday, Emmanuel-Thomas was jailed for four years at Chelmsford Crown Court. Prosecutor David Josse KC told the court the 'interception' of the two women – Emmanuel-Thomas's girlfriend Yasmin Piotrowska and her friend Rosie Rowland – happened at the airport. He said it 'became apparent this defendant, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, had been involved in their recruitment to travel to Thailand'. He noted Emmanuel-Thomas 'had played a few games, 11 in total, for a club in Thailand'. The barrister said Emmanuel-Thomas had 'some awareness and understanding of the scale of the operation' and was acting in an 'operational management function' in the plot. He pointed out the defendant's 'relationship with Ms Piotrowska' when describing the recruitment of the two women. Ms Piotrowska sat in the public gallery and wept for much of the hearing. Alex Rose, for Emmanuel-Thomas, said: 'The financial gain in this case for Mr Emmanuel-Thomas was £5,000.' Mr Rose said the defendant was a father-of-two and had made a 'catastrophic error of judgment'. He said a 'period of being out of contract led to very significant financial hard times' and he 'succumbed to temptation'. 'Although he had previously experienced periods of being in between contracts or – putting it another way – being unemployed as a footballer, they had largely been on the back of fairly lucrative long-term contracts,' said Mr Rose. He said the 'situation was rather different in the background to this'. 'Having been out of contract prior to signing for Greenock Morton, he had a brief contract with Kidderminster Harriers but that was very much a short-term contract, almost to try to assist someone he had a good relationship with,' he said. Mr Rose continued: 'His football career is finished and that's something he has brought entirely on himself. 'It's a devastating blow for somebody who had such promise and such an impressive football career.' Judge Alexander Mills, jailing Emmanuel-Thomas for four years, said: 'It's through your own action that you will no longer be known for playing professional football. 'You will be known as a criminal. A professional footballer who threw it all away.' The judge said Emmanuel-Thomas had played five games for Greenock Morton and was on a £600-per-week contract at the time of the incident. He said the defendant 'recruited' his girlfriend and her friend and was 'essentially turning the importation of cannabis into an all-expenses paid holiday in the Far East', arranging business class flights, hotel costs and discussing in messages how to maximise their time on the Thai island of Ko Samui. Emmanuel-Thomas looked straight ahead as the judge read out his sentence. He nodded towards the public gallery as he was led to the cells. Ms Piotrowska, 33, of north-west London, and Ms Rowland, of Essex, denied the charge and at an earlier hearing prosecutors offered no evidence in their case. Mr Josse said at an earlier hearing that the women 'said they thought they were importing gold not cannabis', and the judge directed that not guilty verdicts be recorded for them. David Philips, NCA senior investigating officer, said: 'We urge anyone asked to bring something into the UK that they're unsure of to simply say no. 'Organised criminals like Thomas are invariably very persuasive with promises of payments and other enticements to couriers. But the risk of getting caught is very high and it simply isn't worth the risk. 'Crime groups make significant profits by trafficking and selling perceived high-quality cannabis legally grown in the US, Canada and Thailand illegally in the UK.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
