Ex-rugby ace Hogg accused of 7-year campaign of abuse
Court orders former player, 31, to stay away from his wife after he’s charged with stalking
FORMER Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg has been ordered to stay away from his estranged wife after being accused of a seven-year campaign of abuse.
Hogg, 31, briefly appeared in the dock at Jedburgh Sheriff Court yesterday after being arrested in connection with the alleged incidents earlier this year.
During the two-minute hearing, Hogg denied the three charges against him, and was told he will face trial later this year.
Hogg, who married his now estranged wife Gillian in 2016, faces a charge of stalking and one of domestic abuse against her between January 2017 and March 2024.
He faces a third charge of breaching an undertaking not to approach Ms Hogg in any way earlier this year.
Yesterday he pleaded not guilty to stalking by engaging in a course of conduct which caused Ms Hogg fear and alarm between January 2017 and March 2019.
The charge includes allegations that he shouted and swore at her, repeatedly accused her of infidelity, tracked her movements and monitored her communications. He is also accused of attempting to control family life.
Not guilty pleas were also entered against a separate charge, which alleged similar conduct between April 2019 and March 2024.
It also alleges he sent repeatedly ‘alarming and distressing’ messages to her in which he made threats to harm himself.
The third charge accused him of breaking an undertaking not to approach Ms Hogg, outside arranging childcare, on March 30.
The former rugby international attended the brief hearing, before Sheriff Derek
O’Carroll, with his parents. During proceedings, Hogg’s lawyer Matt Patrick told the court: ‘He pleads not guilty.’
Fiscal Depute Drew Long said that bail should be granted, but Hogg must not approach his estranged wife.
Hogg, who was made an MBE for services to rugby in the New Year’s Honours list, left the court and climbed straight into the back seat of his parents’ car, where he lay down, covered by a jacket.
Earlier, he entered the court via a side door used by lawyers and court officials.
Hogg and his wife split last year. Shortly after their youngest child was born in November it emerged he had been dating jockey turned TV presenter Leonna Mayor.
Ms Mayor, once dubbed the ‘world’s sexiest jockey’, shared pictures on social media of herself and Hogg. The pair also recently enjoyed a holiday in Turkey.
Hogg’s court appearance comes after he revealed on social media he had spent time in rehab. He said going to the facility had ‘not been easy but it was the right thing to do’ and thanked those who helped him in ‘the darkest of times’.
He is one of the country’s most celebrated rugby players and toured Australia and South Africa with the British and Irish Lions. He retired ahead of last year’s Rugby World Cup, and has since been working as a pundit.
A spokesman for the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service said after the hearing: ‘Mr Hogg accessed and exited the court without using the main entrance.
‘This was done without the knowledge or approval of the court and we will be taking this up with those involved.’
‘Done without approval’