Ex-Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg handed second community order for domestic abuse

Hogg now plays professional rugby for French club Montpellier. Credit: PA Images.

Former Scotland rugby union captain Stuart Hogg has been handed a community payback order after he admitted abusing his estranged wife over the course of five years.

He pleaded guilty to a single charge of domestic abuse of his ex-partner, Gillian Hogg, when he appeared at Selkirk Sheriff Court in November last year.

He's now been ordered to community payback with one year of supervision along with a second five-year non-harassment order when he appeared at Selkirk Sheriff Court for sentencing on 9 January 2025.

Hogg admitted to tracking her movements, shouting and swearing, and sending her messages which were distressing in nature.

The 32-year-old, from Hawick, has already been banned from approaching or contacting Mrs Hogg for five years after admitting to breach of his bail conditions after repeatedly contacting her in June 2024 - one night he sent her 28 messages.

Sheriff Peter Paterson also fined him £600 with an additional £40 victim surcharge at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on 5 December 2024.

Hogg was due to be sentenced in December 2024 but it was deferred to clarify whether a community order with remotely monitored supervision could be imposed, as Hogg now lives abroad.

Stuart Hogg was made MBE for his services to rugby in last year's New Year Honours list. Credit: PA Images.

Hogg now plays professional rugby for Montpellier on a two-year contract. He moved to France after announcing his return from retirement last summer.

In relation to the domestic abuse charge, the court previously heard the 32-year-old berated Mrs Hogg for "not being fun" after going on drinking binges with his colleagues, and once sent more than 200 text messages to her in the space of a few hours.

He had been due to stand trial at the same court in November 2024 but pleaded guilty that day to a charge of domestic abuse between 2019 and 2024 at locations including Hawick, Scottish Borders. The court heard that day he is in the process of a divorce.

Prosecutor Drew Long said the couple moved to Exeter in 2019 with their three young children, all under three, but Hogg's "behaviour deteriorated" as he went out partying.

Mr Long said Hogg would "shout and swear" and accuse Mrs Hogg of "not being fun" for not joining in drinking, and that her family "noticed a change in her".

In 2022, Mrs Hogg went on a night out and was bombarded with text messages from her husband which "caught the attention of the people she was with", the court heard.

The 32-year-old is in the process of a divorce. Credit: PA Images.

Hogg used an app to track his wife after their move to Hawick in 2023. He would 'question her whereabouts' while she dropped the children off, Mr Long told the court.

In that year Mrs Hogg decided to leave the rugby player and sought advice from a domestic abuse service.

The court heard that in September 2023, Hogg sent so many messages it led Mrs Hogg to have a panic attack, and Hogg "sent in excess of 200 texts in a few hours despite being asked to leave her alone".

On February 21 last year, police were called due to Hogg "shouting and swearing" and he was taken into custody and then placed on a bail order stipulating not to contact Mrs Hogg, or to enter the family home.

The former Glasgow Warriors and Exeter Chiefs player was made an MBE for services to the sport in last year's New Year Honours list.

Lynne Barrie, procurator fiscal for Lothian and Borders, says Stuart Hogg has now been "held accountable for subjecting his estranged wife to years of domestic abuse".

She said: “The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service recognises the devastating impact of domestic abuse and is committed to the robust prosecution of offences, regardless of who the offender is.

“No-one should have to live in fear of a partner or former partner. The trauma suffered by victims – and children who witness these crimes – is significant.

“I would urge anyone affected by similar offending to come forward and report it.

“We will use all the tools available to us to secure justice, and you will be listened to and supported throughout the process.”

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