Witness McAvennie attacks police

The trial is being heard at the High Court in Glasgow

A Glasgow man has been cleared of being involved in a £100,000 drugs deal after former Scotland footballer Frank McAvennie described police involved in the investigation as "either incompetent or born liars".

The former Celtic and West Ham player was giving evidence at the trial of Vincent Wallace, 43.

The jury returned a not proven verdict at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday.

Mr McAvennie was found not guilty of similar charges last year after a trial in Newcastle.

Frank McAvennie was a Scotland international

Mr Wallace, of Netherhouse Place, Easterhouse, Glasgow, denied being involved in the supply of ecstasy and amphetamine and possession of cocaine en-route from Newcastle to Glasgow Central Station.

He lodged a special defence blaming another man, Michael Edwards, who admitted similar drug charges at a trial at Newcastle Crown Court last September.

The 40-year-old is currently serving a five year sentence.

The jury heard that Mr Wallace was arrested at Central Station in Glasgow after undercover detectives travelled up from Newcastle on a train with him.

He was carrying a rucksack and white plastic bag which contained five kilos of amphetamine and 5,000 ecstasy tablets. Police also found more than £4,000 in Mr Wallace's home.

Fake designer clothing

In evidence, Mr Wallace claimed he knew nothing about drugs.

He said he had gone to Newcastle on behalf of his 25-year-old son to collect fake designer clothing from Edward, which was to be sold at a profit.

Giving evidence on Wednesday, Mr McAvennie - who now lives in Newcastle and works as a football agent - said he was just back from "tying up a deal" in Milan.

He said he knew Mr Wallace through attending Celtic supporters' functions at his bar, and described Edwards as a friend who owned a bar just outside Newcastle.

He said that on the day in question he and Edwards had set off for a game of golf, but that on the way Edwards told him he had to go to the railway station in Newcastle to meet Mr Wallace.

I am telling you the truth. The police are either incompetent, bent or born liars

Frank McAvennie

Mr McAvennie said Edwards received a phone call, which he presumed to be from Mr Wallace, while they were drinking a coffee at the station.

Edwards then walked to meet him and Mr McAvennie picked up his coffee and walked some yards behind him.

Mr McAvennie denied that he was acting as a look out and denied that he was involved in any dealings concerning drugs.

He said that the trio got into a car which Edwards drove to the Hawksley area of Newcastle.

Mr McAvennie, who is disqualified from driving, said that after Edwards got out of the car he drove the vehicle round a corner as a practical joke.

'Police mistakes'

He also said that on the way back to the station he waited in the car while Edwards and Mr Wallace stopped to buy a rucksack from a sports shop.

Mr McAvennie denied police allegations that he got out of the car with a plastic bag and handed it to Mr Wallace.

"That is a lie", he said. "No two ways about it. I never got out of the car."

He also claimed that police mistakes nearly ruined his life.

And he told the jury: "I am telling you the truth. The police are either incompetent, bent or born liars."

The trial continues.