EX-SCOTLAND captain Stuart Hogg has been sentenced for an extended domestic abuse campaign against his estranged wife.
In an appearance at Selkirk Sheriff Court yesterday Hogg, 32, was given a one-year community payback order after he admitted to a domestic abuse charge against wife Gillian.
Hogg, who is now in the process of a divorce from his wife of eight years, was previously sentenced at Jedburgh Sheriff Court in December, being handed a five-year non-harsassment order and fined £600 after breaching bail conditions.
Hogg, who was Scotland’s all-time leading try scorer, would regularly shout and swear at his former partner in the family home, using offensive language and criticising her for not being “fun”.
The court heard how this was often in response to her wanting to stay and look after their children rather than going to drink with him and his friends.
Hogg, who was described as being “angry” and “controlling” during the relationship, left his wife scared by his behaviour when he had been drinking.
She had said that she would “wish for it to be morning as quickly as possible so that he would sober up and things would stop”.
Hogg’s abuse also included tracking his former partner’s movements by using an app on her mobile phone and quizzing her about who she was socialising with.
He would also send his wife alarming and distressing messages during their marriage and a significant number of messages at various points after it broke down.
This included days where he sent more than 200 text messages in just a few hours, despite having been asked to leave her alone.
Hogg’s community payback order comes as an alternative to custody, with a five-year non-harassment order also being imposed, preventing contact with his ex-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 will be listened to and supported throughout the process.”
