Move on! Former Scotland rugby captain complains of feeling 'hard done by' following domestic abuse conviction

Former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg is said to be “fully complying” with a court order imposed on him following his conviction for domestic abuse.

A court in the Borders this morning (Tuesday) heard the 32-year-old Montpellier player is going through “quite a difficult divorce”, and “feels hard done by”, having previously been ordered to attend virtual appointments with social workers as part of a 12-month Community Payback Order.

Sheriff Peter Paterson pointed out he had pled guilty to the offence, and needs to "move away from that", to address his underlying behaviour.

In November last year, Hogg, who hails from Hawick, 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.

He was sentenced in January, after the court sought advice on whether a Community Payback Order with supervision could be imposed on him while he is playing his rugby abroad.

In addition to the CPO, Hogg was also slapped with a non-harassment order which bans him from approaching or contacting his partner or former partner for five years.

Sheriff Paterson has fixed a further review of the order for three months time (June 16th), but said Hogg - who didn't appear at Jedburgh Sheriff Court today - is excused from appearing again unless there are any breaches.

Police hope all the publicity surrounding the case will encourage more victims of domestic abuse to come forward.

They say no matter who you are - or who the perpetrators are - you can be assured of being fully supported by specialist officers and their partner agencies.

In Hogg's case, the court heard he would regularly shout and swear at his former partner, send her distressing messages and track her movements.

The former Glasgow Warriors and Exeter Chiefs player, who was described as being ‘angry’ and ‘controlling’ during the relationship, is also said to have left his victim scared by his behaviour when he had been drinking.

Lynne Barrie, procurator fiscal for Lothian and Borders, added: "Stuart Hogg has now been convicted and held accountable for subjecting his estranged wife to years of domestic abuse.

"The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service 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."

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