Ex-Scotland rugby star Stuart Hogg convicted of five-year domestic abuse campaign against wife
DISGRACED former Scotland rugby skipper Stuart Hogg has been convicted of a five-year domestic abuse campaign against his estranged wife.
The 32-year-old admitted a charge of acting in an abusive manner and bombarding Gillian Hogg with hundreds of text messages.
He was due to stand trial but submitted a guilty plea on the first day of his trial, which was due to last three days, at Selkirk Sheriff Court today.
Sheriff Peter Paterson read out the charge and Hogg, who stood in the dock wearing a navy three-piece suit, answered “yes”.
He initially faced further charges, including two allegations of stalking, but his not guilty pleas to them were accepted by the prosecutor.
During the brief hearing the court was told that on one occasion Hogg sent Gillian “in excess of two hundred text messages” within a few hours despite having been told to leave her alone.
Fiscal Drew Long, told the court that Hogg’s behaviour became “worse” when he had been drinking.
He said: “Gillian Hogg became scared when Mr Hog got angry.
“He got worse when he was drinking and Gillian would wish it was morning so he had sobered up.
“When she was out with friends the accused would often message her to find out her movements.
“In August 2023 Mrs Hogg was dropping kids off and received messages from Mr Hogg questioning her movements. It became clear to her that her husband was using an app to track her.
“The following month she was out with friends and he called her and was shouting and swearing at her.
“He also sent her unpleasant messages which resulted in Mrs Hogg suffering a panic attack.
“Following this Gillian contacted a lawyer who wrote to Hogg but this resulted in him turning up at her home and shouting and swearing.
“The accused would also shout at Gillian for ‘not being fun’.”
Cops were called and Hogg, who now plays for French club Montpellier, was taken into custody.
Hogg donned a poppy and a black protective cover on his left hand.
He had initially been due to stand trial in September but was arrested the day before the hearing over fresh allegations and breach of bail claims.
The charge he admitted includes that he did engage in a course of behaviour which was abusive.
His defence counsel Angela Gray KC, wanted the case concluded but Sheriff Paterson called for background reports.
She said: “In my submission the offence the court is now dealing with is unlikely to have met the threshold for a conviction.
“He knows he fell below the standard expected of a husband and it is accepted by Mr Hogg that his behaviour looked at within the framework of the Domestic Abuse Act was criminal.”
Sheriff Peter Paterson will sentence Hogg next month and will consider imposing a non-harassment order stopping him from contacting Gillian.
He said: “I will call for reports and will ask about your suitability for the Caledonian Men’s Project.
“I will also consider the request for a non-harassment order.”
Following his hearing, the brute was provided with a police escort as he left the court building.
But he didn’t take the opportunity to apologise to Gillian.
Hogg, who arrived at court flanked by his mum and dad, will appear back in court next month to be sentenced.
The full-back made his debut for the Scotland national side in 2012 and made 100 appearances.
He announced his retirement from international rugby in July 2023.