The wife of former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg wife spent her nights wishing for it to be morning so he would sober up during the five-year campaign of abuse.
Gillian Hogg was left scared by the sports star when he had been drinking and would stay upstairs in their house to look after their kids instead of going out drinking with him and pals.
The 32-year-old was sentenced at Selkirk Sheriff Court earlier today for the terrifying abuse he put his ex-partner through. He was given a Community Payback Order with a period of one year’s supervision as an alternative to custody for the charge brought under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act.
A five-year non-harassment order was also imposed, preventing him from contacting his ex-partner.
Hogg pled guilty to one charge under the act at Selkirk Sheriff Court on November 4 last year. The offending took place between April 2019 and August 2024 at various locations including at addresses in the Scottish Borders.
It was revealed in court that Hogg would regularly shout and swear at his estranged wife in the family home, using particularly offensive language and criticising her for not being “fun”.
Hogg, who was described as being “angry” and “controlling” during the relationship, left his victim scared by his behaviour when he had been drinking. She reported “wishing for it to be morning as quickly as possible so that he would sober up and things would stop”.
The court heard that Hogg’s abuse also included tracking his former partner’s movements by using an app on her phone and questioning her about who she was socialising with.
He also sent Gillian alarming and distressing messages during their marriage and a significant number of messages at various points after it broke down. It included days where he sent in excess of 200 text messages over a period of just a couple of hours. It came after he was told to leave his ex-partner alone.
On December 5, 2024, Hogg was sentenced at Jedburgh Sheriff Court after he admitted breaching bail conditions not to approach or contact his former partner while awaiting trial. He was fined £600 and made subject to a five-year non-harassment order, banning him from contacting or attempting to contact his former partner.
Lynne Barrie, Procurator Fiscal for Lothian and Borders, said: “Stuart Hogg has now been convicted and held accountable for subjecting his estranged wife to years of domestic abuse.
“COPFS recognises the devastating impact of domestic abuse and is committed to the robust prosecution of offences, regardless of who the offender is.
“No one should have to live in fear of a partner or former partner. The trauma suffered by victims – and children who witness these crimes – is significant. I would urge anyone affected by similar offending to come forward and report it. We will use all the tools available to us to secure justice, and you.”
Hogg retired from professional rugby in July 2023 but last summer it was announced he was returning after signing for Montpellier on a two-year contract.
The former Glasgow Warriors and Exeter Chiefs player was made an MBE for services to the sport in last year’s New Year Honours list.
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