Former Glasgow Warriors star ordered to carry out unpaid work for attacks on girlfriend
Rufus McLean abused Cara Haston for almost two years
A Scottish rugby star who admitted pushing, hurling abuse at, and tracking his girlfriend has been ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work.
Rufus McLean, 22, was given the community payback order at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday after he admitted abusing Cara Haston over a period of almost two years.
He was also made subject to a non-harassment order to not contact his former partner for 10 years.
Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss said McLean's behaviour was "aggressive" and "controlling".
Addressing McLean, who was dressed in a blazer and black trousers in the dock, he said: "You may not have intended to cause harm, however due to the extended period of time... you should have known there was a risk of harm from your behaviour."
But because McLean is considered a young person, the hours are reduced to 150.
Sheriff Auchincloss reduced that further to 120 hours, to be completed over nine months, given McLean's age and early guilty plea.
McLean, of Gordon in Berwickshire, who earned three caps in his career, admitted the domestic abuse of Ms Haston between April 2019 and January 2021.
At an earlier hearing, McLean admitted controlling Ms Haston's movements and insisting she enabled location tracking services on her phone.
He also admitted pushing her to her injury, repeatedly calling her derogatory and offensive names, sending abusive messages, and telling her who she could and could not meet.
In a statement issued following the sentencing, the Haston family said: "We are relieved that this four-year ordeal has come to a conclusion and would like to thank Police Scotland and the procurator fiscal's office for their support and professionalism."
McLean's solicitor, Iain Smith, previously said in court his client was willing to be educated and that the consequences of his offending had already been significant.
He said McLean has lost his job and income, and his dreams of playing for his country have come to an end.
At the time, Warriors managing director Al Kellock said: "Rufus admitted domestic abuse and his actions cannot be condoned, which has resulted in his employment with Glasgow Warriors ending."