Former Scottish rugby captain Stuart Hogg has pleaded guilty to a domestic abuse charge, admitting to years of aggressive and controlling behaviour towards his estranged wife, Gillian Hogg.
Appearing in the criminal court at Selkirk it was revealed that Hogg repeatedly berated and tracked his wife, sending over 200 abusive messages in just a few hours and causing her severe distress.
The abuse spanned from 2019 to 2024, with Hogg’s behaviour worsening when he moved to Devon in 2019 to join the Exeter Chiefs. Gillian Hogg, the mother of his four children, ultimately had to seek help from a domestic abuse advisory service and moved in with her parents for safety.
The abuse led Mrs. Hogg to experience panic attacks, especially during instances when her husband aggressively questioned her whereabouts using tracking apps. The court also heard of occasions where Hogg entered their home uninvited, frightening his wife and children. Following his arrest and a court order to refrain from contact, he continued to bombard her with messages.
Now facing sentencing on December 5, Hogg, who recently returned to rugby with French Top 14 club Montpellier, has refused to apologise to his estranged wife.