A sheriff has noted former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg’s “complete compliance” with a community payback order following his domestic abuse conviction.
Hogg, 32, last year pleaded guilty to a single charge of domestic abuse of his estranged wife, Gillian Hogg, between 2019 and 2024.
He admitted shouting and swearing, tracking her movements and sending her messages which were alarming and distressing in nature.
A court heard how he berated his ex-partner for “not being fun” after going on drinking binges with his colleagues, and once sent more than 200 text messages to her in the space of a few hours, causing her to suffer a panic attack.
In January, Hogg was handed a community payback order (CPO) with one year of supervision and a five-year non-harassment order.
He had earlier been fined £600 for breaching bail conditions by repeatedly contacting Mrs Hogg when prohibited from doing so.
Sheriff Peter Paterson warned the sentence was an “alternative to custody”.
‘He was going to kill me’: More strangulation cases recorded by police – but many investigations falter
MSPs hear evidence amid call to make non-fatal strangulation a standalone offence in Scotland
Walter Buchanan: Chartered surveyor jailed for murdering wife after cheating accusation
During a review of the order at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, the rugby player was not present himself and was represented by his lawyer Mat Patrick.
Mr Patrick said: “This is the second review of this order. My submission is that the order should be allowed to continue.”
Sheriff Paterson said the only point on which he was unclear was whether Hogg – who plays for French team Montpellier – “was back in the UK”, to which Mr Patrick replied that he was not.
Follow our channel and never miss an update.
Discussing the order, Sheriff Paterson noted “that there has been complete compliance with it”.
He added: “My intention is that there would be no further review.”
Read more from Sky News:
‘Staggering’ number of domestic abuse victims taking own lives
More strangulation cases – but many investigations falter
It comes after Sheriff Paterson previously urged Hogg to “face the consequences of his actions” and “move on” from feeling “hard done by”.
Hogg’s parents, John and Margaret Hogg, attended the court hearing.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
The sportsman retired from professional rugby in July 2023 but last summer it was announced he was returning after signing for Montpellier on a two-year contract.
The former Glasgow Warriors and Exeter Chiefs player was made an MBE for services to the sport in last year’s New Year Honours list.
However, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has called for Hogg to be stripped of his MBE in the wake of the court case.
