Former Scotland rugby captain denies new allegations ahead of upcoming domestic abuse trial
Last updated 10th Sep 2024
Former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg has appeared in court to face fresh allegations ahead of his upcoming domestic abuse trial.
The 32-year-old - who made a try-scoring comeback from retirement for French side Montpellier at the weekend - is accused of attempting to approach or contact his partner, or former partner, on two occasions last month - despite a court order forbidding it.
It's alleged he used a video call on August 12th this year as a means of speaking directly to the woman named in the charge against her will.
And, on August 17th, he's accused of parking his car in such a way as to prevent her from leaving an address in Hawick, where - it's alleged - he approached and spoke directly to her.
Hogg is also charged with engaging in a course of conduct which caused a second named woman fear or alarm, at addresses in Hawick and elsewhere, between April 1st last year and August 23rd this year.
It's alleged he repeatedly phoned her at anti-social hours, repeatedly sent her messages of an alarming and distressing nature, and repeatedly contacted her having been asked not to do so.
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Hogg was already facing a stalking charge and had previously been accused of engaging in a course of behaviour that was abusive or his partner, or former partner over a seven year period between 2017 and 2024.
He is alleged to have tracked her movements, monitored her communications and repeatedly attempted to control family life.
He is also accused of shouting, swearing and acting aggressively towards her, and of repeatedly accusing her of infidelity.
Hogg denied all the charges when he appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court this afternoon (Tuesday).
And three days were set aside for trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court in November, with preliminary hearings at Jedburgh in October.
During today's hearing, Drew Long, prosecuting, called for Hogg to be remanded in custody ahead of the trial, saying the rugby star was accused of breaching his bail conditions despite "being placed under an undertaking" not to do so.
Hogg's representative Mat Patrick told the court his client maintained his innocence in relation to each of the three charges.
He added that the additional allegations contained no "violence or even threat of violence, and I think it's worth mentioning that the complainer in one of her statements explicitly states that".
He said: "Whatever happened in this case seems to have arisen because Mr Hogg is allowed contact with his children, and there is no prohibition on him going to the property where his children were residing at that time."
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Sheriff Peter Paterson told Hogg: "It seems to me that part of this may be your desire to see your children, and for that reason you are going to be released on bail.
"But you are not to enter (her house) and you are not to approach, attempt to approach, or contact (the woman named in the charge) in any way.
"That means you can say absolutely nothing to her at all under any circumstances."
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