Former captain of Scotland rugby team sentenced for domestic abuse

The former Scotland rugby union captain Stuart Hogg will be supervised for a year as an alternative to jail after he admitted abusing his estranged wife over the course of five years.

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He pleaded guilty to a single charge of domestic abuse of his ex-partner, Gillian Hogg, when he appeared at Selkirk sheriff court on 4 November. He admitted shouting and swearing, tracking her movements and sending her messages that were alarming and distressing in nature.

Sheriff Peter Paterson sentenced Hogg to a community payback order with one year of supervision when he appeared at Selkirk sheriff court for sentencing yesterday. He also imposed another non-harassment order barring Hogg from approaching or contacting Gillian Hogg for five years, mirroring one imposed last month. He told Hogg the sentence was an "alternative to custody".

Hogg, wearing a dark jacket and tie, made no comment as he left court accompanied by his parents. Police escorted him to a vehicle that pulled up to collect him as he walked past waiting media. There will be a review of the order at Jedburgh sheriff court on 25 March.