Former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg has pleaded guilty to domestic abuse against his estranged wife, admitting to a pattern of harassment and aggression over five years.
Stuart Hogg, a former Scotland rugby international, has acknowledged to an aggressive pattern of behavior toward his separated wife that lasted nearly five years.
On Monday, the 32-year-old player appeared in Selkirk Sheriff Court and pleaded guilty to a charge of domestic abuse against his wife Gillian Hogg, which included multiple acts of aggression, intimidation, and harassment.
Hogg, a father of four and former Scotland rugby team captain, entered court with his parents, Margaret and John.
He admitted to a single charge that covered a long period of alleged abuse from 2019 to 2024 in multiple locations, including the Scottish Borders, Glasgow, and Exeter.
Hogg, who presently plays for French club Montpellier, is now living abroad while he finalizes his divorce.
“Stuart and Gillian Hogg are a married couple going through a divorce. They have four children. Drew Long, the prosecutor, stated that they lived in Hawick, Scottish Borders, Glasgow, and Exeter throughout their marriage before returning to the Borders, where they separated in 2023.
According to Long, Mrs. Hogg sought help from a domestic abuse service in early 2023 as her relationship deteriorated.
Long described Hogg’s behavior as verbal hostility, harassment through excessive messaging, and watching his wife’s activities.
Hogg, according to the court, would “shout and swear and accuse her of not being fun” if she refused to attend his drinking sessions.
Hogg once sent over 200 text messages in a few hours, causing Mrs. Hogg to have a panic attack.
Long observed how Hogg’s constant message and control over Mrs. Hogg’s activities resulted in continuing worry and distress.
During their marriage, the Hoggs relocated to Glasgow to further Hogg’s rugby career, and tensions reportedly rose.
The family moved to Exeter in 2019 with three little children under the age of three, and a fourth was born later.
Long claims that around this time, Hogg’s behavior “deteriorated” as he frequently went out drinking with coworkers and became increasingly critical and hostile toward his wife.
Mrs. Hogg was apparently besieged with messages by Hogg while out with friends, drawing the attention of people around her.
Following his return to Hawick in 2023, Hogg allegedly used an app to track Mrs. Hogg’s whereabouts, questioning her whereabouts and, at times, getting hostile. Finally, in February 2024, Hogg entered the family home without permission, prompting Mrs. Hogg to seek legal help.
In February 2024, police were called to the Hogg residence due of screaming and hostile behaviour.
Hogg was arrested and later released on a bail order that included harsh requirements such as not contacting Mrs. Hogg or entering her home.
Despite these limits, Hogg breached the order in August 2024 by attempting to speak with his wife over a video conversation with their children.
Angela Gray KC, a defense lawyer, stated that “the incidents in isolation would have been unlikely to reach the threshold required for a prosecution in criminal courts.”
She went on to say that Hogg “accepts that these incidents, in isolation, fell short of what is expected of a husband.” Mr. Hogg acknowledges that his conduct was criminal in nature when viewed through the lens of the Domestic Abuse Act of 2018.
Sheriff Peter Paterson postponed sentencing until December 5 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court and upheld Hogg’s existing release restrictions, which limit his contact with his estranged wife.
The couple is currently in divorce proceedings and have four children who have been affected by the traumatic relationship breakup.
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