FORMER Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg has appeared in court and been accused of a pattern of controlling behaviour towards his wife going back more than seven years.

The 31-year-old pleaded not guilty to a charge of stalking and also an offence under section one of the Domestic Abuse Scotland Act relating to his behaviour towards the woman, who he is separated from.

He denied a total of three charges during the five-minute hearing at Jedburgh Sheriff Court during which he spoke only once to confirm his name.

A trial date was fixed for July 30 and he was released on bail with special conditions not to contact his former partner and to stay away from her address.

Hogg is charged with stalking by engaging in a course of conduct which caused his wife fear and alarm at properties in Glasgow and Hawick between January 2017 and March 2019.

It is also alleged he shouted and swore at her and acted in an aggressive manner.

The second charge under the Domestic Abuse Scotland Act alleges similar conduct between April 2019 and March 2024 at properties in Hawick and Devon.

The third charge against Hogg alleges that he contacted the woman when he had been ordered not to.

After denying all the charges against him and receiving his bail papers, Hogg left the court building through a side door.