Former Scotland rugby captain admits to abusing wife over five-year period

Former Scotland rugby international Stuart Hogg has admitted abusing his estranged wife over a five-year period.

The 32-year-old was due to stand trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday but pleaded guilty to a single charge when he appeared at the court.

The father-of-four arrived at Selkirk Sheriff Court accompanied by his parents and admitted a single charge of domestic abuse against his estranged wife, Gillian Hogg, between 2019 and 2024.

The ex-Scotland captain, who plays for French club Montpellier, will be sentenced on December 5 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Hogg admitted shouting, swearing and acting in an abusive manner towards his wife Gillian.

He also admitted repeatedly tracking her movements and sending messages of an alarming and distressing nature. The court heard that Hogg once sent more than 200 messages in a couple of hours.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was also told Hogg’s behaviour left the mother of his children scared and wishing ‘for it to be morning as soon as possible’.

Gillian Hogg eventually took advice from domestic abuse services following an incident which caused her to have a panic attack.

The one charge of domestic abuse that Hogg pleaded guilty to relates to a five-year period between 2019 and 2024.

Hogg started his professional career at Glasgow Warriors, making more than 100 appearances for the club before moving to Exeter Chiefs in 2019.

The former Scotland captain, who played exactly 100 games for his country and secured 171 points, joined French side Montpellier in July 2024.

He unexpectedly announced his retirement from international rugby last year, having previously said he would quit after the World Cup.

Hogg was handed an MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to rugby union football.

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