By Democrat reporter
Former Scottish rugby captain Stuart Hogg has been released on bail after arriving at court in handcuffs following his arrest for stalking and breaching bail conditions.
The 32-year-old had been due to stand trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, accused of engaging in a course of conduct that caused his ex-wife Gillian Hogg fear and alarm over a seven-year period between 2017 and 2024.
However he was arrested for the third time this year on Monday after allegedly making contact with his ex, and has been accused of a further stalking offence, and two charges of breaching his bail conditions.
The new charges allege that on August 23 he repeatedly telephoned and messaged his ex-wife, and that he breached bail conditions on August 12 by contacting her via video call, and then on August 17 by parking his car in a way that prevented her from driving away and speaking to her.
Hogg, who currently plays for French team Montpellier, was arrested on Monday over stalking offences and a breach of bail conditions.
Hogg denies all three of the new allegations, and will face trial for these and the existing charges against him in November.
During the hearing at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, prosecutor Drew Long called for Hogg to be remanded in custody ahead of the trial, saying the rugby star was accused of breaching his bail conditions despite ‘being placed under an undertaking’ not to do so.
Hogg’s agent Mat Patrick told the court his client maintained his innocence in relation to each of the three charges.
He added that the additional allegations contained no ‘violence or even threat of violence, and I think it’s worth mentioning that the complainer in one of her statements explicitly states that’.
Stuart Hogg leaves Jedburgh Sheriff Court.
Stuart Hogg has been arrested for the third time this year only hours before his domestic abuse trial was due to begin
He said: ‘Whatever happened in this case seems to have arisen because Mr Hogg is allowed contact with his children, and there is no prohibition on him going to the property where his children were residing at that time.’
Sheriff Peter Paterson told Hogg: ‘It seems to me that part of this may be your desire to see your children, and for that reason you are going to be released on bail.
‘But you are not to enter (her house) and you are not to approach, attempt to approach, or contact Gillian Hogg in any way.
‘That means you can say absolutely nothing to her at all under any circumstances.’
Hogg, dressed in a white jumper and blue trousers, spoke only to confirm his name.