Former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg is sentenced for domestic abuse

Former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg has today been given a one-year Community Payback Order and placed on supervision for 12 months, after engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive of his partner, or former partner, over a period of five years.

The 32-year-old, from Hawick, has also been barred from contacting Gillian Hogg for five years after pleading guilty to a single charge of domestic abuse.

It means he'll be able to continue his rugby comeback in France while attending regular appointments with social workers, either in person or online, and take any action they deem necessary to address his offending behaviour.

Sentence was previously deferred on the Montpellier player for clarification on whether a community order could be monitored remotely while he's playing abroad.

READ MORE: Domestic abuse charity hits out at sentence handed to former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg

Passing sentence at Selkirk Sheriff Court today (Thursday), Sheriff Peter Paterson said the sentence is a direct alternative to custody.

But that, if he makes good progress with the order, he will be excused attendance at a review hearing on March 25th.

The court previously heard how Hogg's behaviour became "problematic" while playing for Glasgow Warriors, and "deteriorated further" when he moved south to Exeter.

He admitted shouting and swearing, tracking the mum of four’s movements and sending her distressing messages.

WATCH: Click on the link below to view our video from court...

Prosecutor Drew Long said the couple argued about where they would live and Mrs Hogg was "scared" of her husband when he became angry.

On one occasion, the court heard, messages Hogg sent - which were said to be "unpleasant in tone" - led to her having a panic attack.

Hogg, now playing in France, admitted engaging in a course of behaviour that was abusive of his partner, or ex-partner, at addresses in the Scottish Borders, England and elsewhere, between April the 1st, 2019 and August the 17th, 2024.

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In his defence, KC Angela Gray said her client's intention was never to be abusive, but accepts his behaviour fell short of what was expected of him as a husband.

She added that mental health issues Hogg struggled with no doubt impacted on his decision-making, and that he had referred himself to residential rehabilitation at Castle Craig in Peeblesshire.

But she said each incident looked at individually may not have tipped the threshold into Sheriff Court prosecution.

"He has made mistakes and he has learned from them," she added.

READ MORE: Police urge more victims of domestic abuse to come forward following Stuart Hogg sentencing

Hogg remained tight-lipped as he left court, flanked by police, as he was quizzed on whether he wished to apologise for his behaviour. A car waiting to pick him up, with darkened rear windows, gave a beep of its horn as it drove off.

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