Former Scotland rugby union captain Stuart Hogg has been sentenced after admitting to a prolonged pattern of domestic abuse against his estranged wife, Gillian Hogg. The 32-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of domestic abuse, which occurred over a period of five years. Hogg was sentenced at Selkirk Sheriff Court to a community payback order with one year of supervision, as an alternative to jail. Additionally, he was issued a non-harassment order, which prohibits him from contacting or approaching Mrs. Hogg for the next five years. This order mirrors a similar one imposed on him in December after he breached bail conditions by repeatedly contacting her.
The court heard that Hogg’s behavior deteriorated over the years, particularly after the couple moved to Exeter in 2019. Hogg’s alcohol-fueled binges with colleagues led him to verbally abuse his wife, accusing her of being “no fun” for not joining in. His abusive behavior escalated, and he began tracking her movements using an app, sending her alarming and distressing messages, and subjecting her to excessive text messages. In one instance, Mrs. Hogg received over 200 messages in a few hours. These actions caused significant distress, leading to panic attacks and a breakdown in their relationship.
Hogg’s actions were not limited to verbal abuse. In 2023, after Mrs. Hogg decided to leave him, she sought support from a domestic abuse service. Despite being asked to leave her alone, Hogg continued to bombard her with messages, culminating in a distressing incident where he sent over 200 texts in a short period, triggering a panic attack for Mrs. Hogg. His behavior was so alarming that it caught the attention of those around her, including her family and friends, who noticed a change in her demeanor.
In response to the abuse, Mrs. Hogg contacted authorities, and police were called in February 2023 when Hogg was found shouting and swearing at her. He was taken into custody and placed on a bail order, which prohibited him from contacting his wife or entering their family home. Despite this, he continued to breach the conditions by contacting her multiple times.
The court also heard that Hogg, who had retired from professional rugby in 2023, was making a return to the sport by signing a two-year contract with Montpellier. His actions and subsequent legal proceedings have overshadowed his career, and he was previously awarded an MBE for his services to rugby. However, his involvement in domestic abuse has led to significant legal and personal consequences.
The sentencing was seen as an alternative to custody, with the sheriff expressing confidence that Hogg would comply with the community payback order. The review of the order will take place in March 2025. The case highlights the devastating impact of domestic abuse, not only on the victims but also on the children who may witness such behavior. The authorities have emphasized the importance of holding offenders accountable, regardless of their status or background, and urged anyone affected by domestic abuse to seek help and report the crimes.
