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DISGRACED former Scotland rugby skipper Stuart Hogg has been convicted of a five-year domestic abuse campaign against his estranged wife.
The 32-year-old admitted a charge of acting in an abusive manner and bombarding Gillian Hogg with hundreds of text messages.
Hogg leaves court with his dad after admitting domestic chargeAndrew Barr
Andrew Barr
Disgraced Hogg played 100 times for Scotland and retired in 2023PAHe was due to stand trial but submitted a guilty plea on the first day of his trial, which was due to last three days, at Selkirk Sheriff Court today.
Sheriff Peter Paterson read out the charge and Hogg, who stood in the dock wearing a navy three-piece suit, answered “yes”.
He initially faced further charges, including two allegations of stalking, but his not guilty pleas to them were accepted by the prosecutor.
During the brief hearing the court was told that on one occasion Hogg sent Gillian “in excess of two hundred text messages” within a few hours despite having been told to leave her alone.
Fiscal Drew Long, told the court that Hogg’s behaviour became “worse” when he had been drinking.
He said: “Gillian Hogg became scared when Mr Hog got angry.
“He got worse when he was drinking and Gillian would wish it was morning so he had sobered up.
“When she was out with friends the accused would often message her to find out her movements.
“In August 2023 Mrs Hogg was dropping kids off and received messages from Mr Hogg questioning her movements. It became clear to her that her husband was using an app to track her.
“The following month she was out with friends and he called her and was shouting and swearing at her.
“He also sent her unpleasant messages which resulted in Mrs Hogg suffering a panic attack.
“Following this Gillian contacted a lawyer who wrote to Hogg but this resulted in him turning up at her home and shouting and swearing.
“The accused would also shout at Gillian for ‘not being fun’.”
Cops were called and Hogg, who now plays for French club Montpellier, was taken into custody.
Andrew Barr
Andrew BarrHogg donned a poppy and a black protective cover on his left hand.
He had initially been due to stand trial in September but was arrested the day before the hearing over fresh allegations and breach of bail claims.
The charge he admitted includes that he did engage in a course of behaviour which was abusive.
His defence counsel Angela Gray KC, wanted the case concluded but Sheriff Paterson called for background reports.
She said: “In my submission the offence the court is now dealing with is unlikely to have met the threshold for a conviction.
“He knows he fell below the standard expected of a husband and it is accepted by Mr Hogg that his behaviour looked at within the framework of the Domestic Abuse Act was criminal.”
Sheriff Peter Paterson will sentence Hogg next month and will consider imposing a non-harassment order stopping him from contacting Gillian.
He said: “I will call for reports and will ask about your suitability for the Caledonian Men’s Project.
Stuart Hogg: Timeline
by Jennifer Jones
December 31 2011: A 19-year-old Hogg signs a four-year deal with Glasgow Warriors’
January 6 2012: Hogg is one of six uncapped players picked for Scotland’s Six Nations campaign.
February 13 2012: Stuart makes his Scotland debut after Max Evans hobbled off 15 minutes into a losing Cardiff clash with Wales.
February 23 2012:The teenage full-back made his first Scotland start at the 6 Nations clash against France at Murrayfield. He became the youngest try scorer in 79 years when he crashed over the line after just five minutes.
April 30 2013: Hogg tours as part of the Brit and Irish Lions squad including down under for three Tests against Australia.
July 3 2014: Rangers-daft Stuart is called up Scotland’s Commonwealth Games sevens squad and scores a try at Ibrox.
November 2014: Extends his contract with Warriors for two years, keeping him in the club until at least 2017.
March 2017: Wins the Six Nations Player of the Championship poll for a second straight year – despite Scotland finishing fourth.
June and July 2017: Hogg was named one of two Scots players selected for Lions’ tour of new Zealand – but crashed out with injuries before the tests due to an accidental collision with teammate Conor Murray’s elbow.
November 2018: Hogg announces he will leave Glasgow Warriors after nine years after the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
November 2019: Joins Exeter Chiefs.
Jan 2020: Hogg is named Scotland captain for the 2020 Six Nations before Covid-19 halted the contest.
November 2020: Hogg becomes a European and English premiership champion after winning against Racing 92 and Wasps during 2019/2020 finals.
Jan 2021: His form during the 2021 Six Nations saw Hogg tipped for a third tour with the British & Irish Lions to South Africa.
February 5 2022: Captains Scotland to their first back-to-back win against England in four decades
March 27 2023: Announces his shock retirement from professional rugby after the Rugby World Cup.
July 9 2023: He dramatically quits the sport two months before the tournament. He said he wanted to take up a new career path and that “his body was broken”.
November 16 2023: Hogg splits with his wife Gillian Hogg and boasts on social media enjoying a spa weekend with “world’s sexist jockey” Leonna Mayor. The post comes days after his ex gave birth to their fourth child.
November 28 2023: Hogg pulls out at the 11th hour hosting a dinner celebrating the 150th anniversary of his home-town club, Hawick RFC.
December 30 2023: He ends the year on a high being awarded an MBE by the King.
January 1 2024: Hogg is caught up in a New Year’s Day bust-up at his brother’s house.
March 1 2024: He is arrested at his estranged wife’s house for alleged threatening or abusive behaviour.
April 29 2024: Stuart Hogg revealed he has spent time in rehab and admitted making “mistakes” as he shares an update with his followers on Instagram.
May 2024: He makes multiple appearances at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, flanked by his parents, and smuggled out of the court via a side door to avoid the press and public.
June 6, 2024: Hogg, now 32, is lured back out of retirement by French side Montpellier.
September 24, 2024: TV presenter girlfriend Leonna Mayor, 33, shows off her baby bump after she announces she is pregnant to Hogg on social media.
November 4, 2024: Hogg is convicted of a five-year domestic abuse campaign against his estranged ex-wife including “using an app to track” her and bombarding Gillian Hogg, 36, with hundreds of text messages
“I will also consider the request for a non-harassment order.”
Following his hearing, the brute was provided with a police escort as he left the court building.
But he didn’t take the opportunity to apologise to Gillian.
Hogg, who arrived at court flanked by his mum and dad, will appear back in court next month to be sentenced.
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200.
The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
The full-back made his debut for the Scotland national side in 2012 and made 100 appearances.
He announced his retirement from international rugby in July 2023.
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