Former Scotland rugby union captain Stuart Hogg has been sentenced to a community payback order after admitting to abusing his estranged wife over a five-year period. The 32-year-old pleaded guilty to a single charge of domestic abuse at Selkirk Sheriff Court in November. The court heard that Hogg’s abusive behaviour towards his ex-partner, Gillian Hogg, included shouting, swearing, tracking her movements, and sending alarming and distressing messages. As a result, Sheriff Peter Paterson sentenced Hogg to a community payback order with one year of supervision and a five-year non-harassment order.
Hogg had previously breached bail conditions by repeatedly contacting Mrs. Hogg in June, which led to a five-year non-harassment order and a fine imposed on him. The court heard that Hogg berated his wife for not joining in drinking binges, sent over 200 text messages in a few hours, and used an app to track her whereabouts. Mrs. Hogg sought help from a domestic abuse service in 2023 after receiving a large number of distressing messages which led to a panic attack.
In light of the domestic abuse charge between 2019 and 2024, which occurred in various locations including Hawick, Hogg was due to stand trial but instead pleaded guilty. The court was told that the couple, along with their three young children, had moved to Exeter in 2019 but Hogg’s behaviour deteriorated as he engaged in partying activities. The court proceedings revealed instances of verbal abuse, excessive messaging, and monitoring of Mrs. Hogg’s movements.
Following his retirement from professional rugby in July 2023, Hogg had signed a contract with French club Montpellier. However, his return to rugby was marred by legal troubles stemming from the domestic abuse allegations. The sentencing at Selkirk Sheriff Court outlined the community payback order as well as the non-harassment orders imposed on Hogg for his abusive actions towards his ex-partner. The court proceedings shed light on the distressing impact of his behaviour on Mrs. Hogg and the legal consequences he faced as a result.
Hogg’s case highlights the serious nature of domestic abuse and the legal repercussions for individuals involved in such cases. The court’s decision to impose a community payback order, supervision, and non-harassment orders underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions. The impact of domestic abuse on victims, as seen in Mrs. Hogg’s case, emphasizes the need for awareness, support, and legal interventions to address and prevent such harmful behaviours in relationships.
As Hogg continues to navigate the legal consequences of his actions, the case serves as a reminder of the prevalence of domestic abuse and the importance of seeking help and legal recourse in such situations. The sentencing of a prominent sports figure like Hogg sends a strong message about the seriousness of domestic abuse and the legal measures in place to address such behaviour. Moving forward, the case of Stuart Hogg serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of abusive actions and the need for accountability in relationships.