Stuart Hogg’s estranged wife has taken a bold step forward by publicly criticising the rugby star’s lenient sentence for abuse, according to a report by Wales Online. Gillian Hogg has expressed her disappointment after her husband, former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg, was handed a Community Payback Order following a series of domestic abuse incidents. Despite the five-year history of abusive behaviour towards her, Stuart Hogg was not given a harsher punishment such as imprisonment, unpaid work, a fine, or electronic monitoring with a curfew.
The sentence has sparked outrage as Gillian Hogg highlighted the inadequate nature of the punishment. She condemned the decision, pointing out that the imposed Community Payback Order, which includes social worker supervision, does not seem to acknowledge the severity of the abuse she endured. Stuart Hogg was accused of using an app to track Gillian and bombarding her with distressing messages, sending as many as 200 in a short period. Prior to this sentence, he was fined £600 and given a five-year non-harassment order for breaching bail terms.
During the sentencing, Sheriff Peter Paterson made exceptions for Stuart Hogg, excusing him from certain court appearances to avoid interrupting his rugby career. Gillian expressed her dismay at this, highlighting that his profession should not have been a consideration in the sentencing process. There are now growing calls for Stuart Hogg to be stripped of his MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) following these revelations.
The prosecutor detailed how Stuart Hogg’s behaviour worsened after he moved to England to join Exeter Chiefs in 2019, leading to concerns from Gillian’s family. Gillian decided to end their marriage and sought help from a domestic abuse service after enduring a significant amount of distress. The court heard how Stuart Hogg monitored her whereabouts using an app and continued to harass her with messages despite being told to stop. Police were even called to their home due to his disruptive behaviour.
Stuart Hogg had initially admitted to a charge of domestic abuse spanning from 2019 to 2024. However, the sentence he received has been viewed as insufficient given the prolonged period of abusive behaviour. Dr Marsha Scott from Scottish Women’s Aid criticised the sentence, stating that trivial punishments for such serious offences do not adequately address the harm caused to victims. The public outcry has led to discussions about the need for more stringent penalties for domestic abuse perpetrators like Stuart Hogg.
Overall, the case of Stuart Hogg’s sentencing for domestic abuse has brought attention to the importance of taking such matters seriously and ensuring that appropriate consequences are in place for those who commit such offences. Gillian’s brave decision to speak out against the leniency of the punishment has sparked a larger conversation about the justice system’s handling of domestic abuse cases and the need for more robust measures to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable. The case serves as a reminder of the long-lasting impact of domestic abuse and the importance of providing support and justice for those affected by it.