A former Scotland rugby star is facing stalking charges against a second woman ahead of a trial into domestic abuse charges against his ex-wife.
Stuart Hogg appeared at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, where he had been due to stand trial, but he was arrested for breach of bail earlier that day, reports The Daily Record.
The 32-year-old has also been charged with new offences which include he targeted Jill O’Donnell on April 1, 2023, and August 23, 2024, causing her fear or alarm, by “repeatedly” telephoning her and sending her messages of an “alarming and distressing” nature, despite being urged not to contact her.
Hogg faces the new charge alongside two new breach of bail offences involving his ex-wife, Gillian Hogg. He is accused of engaging in a course of conduct that caused his ex-wife “fear and alarm” over a seven-year period between 2017 and 2024, which he was charged with in November.
He was arrested after allegedly making contact with his ex, and has been accused of a further charge of stalking, and two charges of breaching his bail conditions.
The new charges allege 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
The former Scotland skipper denies all three of the new charges and is set to face trial in November.
During the hearing at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, advocate depute 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 representative Mat Patrick told the court his client maintained his innocence in relation to each of the three charges.
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.”
Judge 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.”
He is also accused of shouting, swearing and acting aggressively towards his ex-wife, and of repeatedly accusing her of infidelity. He also denies an earlier breach of a court order barring him from contacting his ex-wife.
There will be a preliminary hearing on October 4, followed by an intermediate diet on October 21 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court. A trial is then scheduled to take place on November 4, 5 and 8 at Selkirk Sheriff Court.
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