Ibe's allegedly fake prescription was seized by a suspicious pharmacy worker
Jordan Ibe
Jordan Ibe(Image: Liverpool Echo)
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Former Liverpool FC winger Jordan Ibe is set to appear in court accused of attempting to obtain prescription sleep medication using a fraudulent prescription. The 30-year-old, who made 41 appearances for the Anfield club before later spells at Derby County, Birmingham City and AFC Bournemouth, is alleged to have used a bogus prescription on two occasions in an attempt to acquire the insomnia drug Zolpidem.
Prosecutors claim Ibe first presented the false prescription at a pharmacy on Hornsey Road on May 24, 2024, before returning four days later to try to obtain further supplies of the medication.
On the second visit, Ibe's allegedly fake prescription was seized by a suspicious pharmacy worker.
Ibe, who signed last year for Bulgarian first division side Lokomotiv Sofia, has been charged with possessing or controlling an article for use in fraud.
He was expected to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon to face the criminal charge for the first time.
But District Judge Denis Brennan was told the footballer had been “blissfully unaware” of the pending criminal case until earlier in the day, as he was charged by a letter sent to his family home in Southwark, south London, just before Christmas last year and shortly after he had moved to Bulgaria to start the next stage of his playing career.
Ibe’s solicitor Claire Reid told the court: “My colleague heard only today, somehow we became aware that this matter was due to be listed.
“Mr Ibe was blissfully unaware of this. He lives in Bulgaria, he is a professional footballer and he is not likely to be released from his duties.”
Ms Reid asked the court for an adjournment for six months until the Bulgarian football season is on its summer break, although she admitted to the judge that this was a “big ask”.
The judge agreed to adjourn the first court hearing, but only for four weeks until February 5.
He added that Ibe could make an application to appear over a videolink next time, but that would need to be agreed by the court and also the Bulgarian authorities.
Judge Brennan added: “The problem he faces is if he doesn’t appear before the court, having got four weeks’ notice, the risk he takes is that the court issues a warrant for his arrest, that gets turned into an extradition warrant and he is potentially extradited from Bulgaria.”
Ibe made 78 appearances across four years at Bournemouth between 2016 and 2020. He has spent the last two years playing non-league football before securing the move to the Bulgarian capital in November 2025.
Ibe is accused, on May 24 and May 28 2024, of possessing false prescriptions for medication for use in the course of, or in connection with, a fraud.
He has not entered a plea to the charge.