Ex-Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg pleads guilty to domestic abuse

Former Scotland captain Stuart Hogg has pleaded guilty to one charge of domestic abuse against his estranged wife over a five-year period.

Gillian, the mother of Hogg’s four children, was left “scared” and wishing “for it to be morning as soon as possible”, Selkirk Sheriff Court heard.

The court also heard Hogg would regularly return home drunk before shouting and swearing and acting in an abusive manner, as well as accusing his estranged wife of “not being fun” for remaining with the pair’s children.

Hogg admitted to sending more than 200 messages to his former partner over a couple of hours after their separation, as well as repeatedly tracking her location and movements.

Monitoring Gillian’s messages and controlling her family life would be in breach of section one of the Domestic Abuse Scotland Act.

Hogg had previously been due to stand trial in September, but the Montpellier full-back was arrested the day prior to proceedings beginning over a breach of bail claim and fresh allegations.

The 32-year-old played 100 times for Scotland between 2012-2023 and twice for the British and Irish Lions, before retiring from international rugby on 9 July 2023.

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentencing until 5 December – which will take place at Jedburgh Sheriff Court – after Hogg pleaded guilty on the first of a scheduled three-day trial.