18 January 2023 , 20:05
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Scotland international Rufus McLean has been suspended after pleading guilty to abusing his girlfriend.
McLean, 22, has been suspended by club Glasgow Warriors and Scottish Rugby, after subjecting his partner to a harrowing two-year ordeal.
He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday where the extent of the abuse was heard, including McLean using a location tracking system on his girlfriend's phone.
The court heard how McLean insisted on knowing where Cara Haston, 21, was at all times and admitted to telling her who she could meet with and what she could wear.
McLean is also alleged to have sent abusive messages to his partner, calling her a "b****" and a "s***" and left her with a burst lip and black eye during one physical incident.
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He pleaded guilty last month to engaging in "emotionally abusive and controlling" behaviour towards her between April 2019 and January 2021.
A prosecutor said on one occasion, he demanded she got changed while on holiday with friends, after seeing a photograph of her on social media.
McLean scored two tries on his Scotland debutCara also stated how McLean demanded passwords for her social media accounts after becoming "irate" at seeing a picture of her with a man she had previously been on a date with.
A disciplinary hearing with Glasgow Warriors is due to take place on Thursday to determine McLean's future with the club. Defence agent Iain Smith said the “consequences could be severe” depending on the sentence imposed, and could result in his contract being terminated and “end his career”.
Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss was asked to consider giving McLean an “absolute discharge” but maintained this "wasn't a one-off incident". Sentencing has been deferred until February to allow for a report to be prepared on McLean's suitability for the Caledonian Men's Project.
McLean, who was born in Boston, USA, made his international debut against Tonga in the 2021 Six Nations, scoring two tries. He has made a further two appearances for Scotland.
A statement from Glasgow Warriors read: "Rufus McLean is suspended from all club activity and is unavailable for selection following a guilty plea to charges under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 in December 2022.
"Glasgow Warriors does not condone abuse of any kind and therefore, along with Scottish Rugby, immediately suspended the player following his plea. An internal investigation has been instigated and a disciplinary hearing will be held this week."