Former Scottish rugby union captain Stuart Hogg was sentenced to a year’s supervision on Thursday, avoiding jail time, after he admitted abusing his ex-wife over a five-year period. The 32-year-old pleaded guilty to one charge of domestic violence against his ex-partner Gillian Hogg when he appeared in court in Scotland on November 4. He admitted shouting and swearing, tracking Gillian Hogg’s movements and sending her messages that were disturbing and distressing.
Sheriff Peter Paterson sentenced Hogg to a community restitution order with one year supervision when he appeared in court for sentencing on Thursday.
He also imposed a further non-harassment order banning Hogg, who plays for French club Montpellier, from approaching or contacting Gillian Hogg for five years, matching the order imposed last month.
Paterson told Hogg the sentence was “an alternative to prison.”
Hogg made no comment as he left court accompanied by his parents.
In December he was already banned from approaching or contacting Gillian Hogg for five years after he admitted breaching his bail conditions by repeatedly contacting her in June when she received 28 messages from him one night.
The court was previously told Hogg was in the process of getting a divorce.
He was known to berate Gillian Hogg for being “unfunny” after he continued drinking with his colleagues, and once sent her more than 200 text messages over the course of several hours, triggering a panic attack.
Lynne Barry, the prosecutor fiscal in the case, said on Thursday: “No one should live in fear of a partner or ex-partner.
“The trauma suffered by the victims and children who witness these crimes is significant. I encourage anyone who has been affected by similar crimes to come forward and report it.”
Detective Sergeant Jade Wardell, of Police Scotland, said: “Domestic violence in any form is completely unacceptable.
“Had the victim not come forward and reported these incidents to us, we would not have been able to ensure Hogg would face consequences.”
Hogg, one of Scotland’s all-time leading goalscorers, won his last cap in March 2023 and has also represented the British and Irish Lions.
He retired from professional rugby in July 2023 but returned ahead of the current European season, signing a two-year contract with Montpellier.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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