Former world snooker champion Graeme Dott has been convicted of historical child sex abuse following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow, after a jury heard evidence relating to two children abused years apart, allegations Dott had denied throughout the proceedings.
Former world snooker champion Graeme Dott has been found guilty of historical child sex abuse. Dott, 49, stood trial at the High Court in Glasgow accused of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour towards two children, with the allegations spanning two separate periods: 1993 to 1996, involving a girl, and 2006 to 2010, involving a boy. Both children were of primary school age at the time of the alleged offences. Dott denied any wrongdoing throughout the trial, describing the allegations as “disgusting.”
The allegations
The offences involving the boy were said to have taken place in South Lanarkshire, including at a property and inside a car, rather than being confined to Glasgow. Giving evidence during the trial, the woman who made the earlier allegations said she first reported them to police in 2001, having spoken to a guidance teacher while at secondary school. She told the court that police made contact with her again in November 2024, more than two decades after her initial report.
Dott gave evidence in his own defence, telling the court there was “absolutely no way” he had abused either child. His defence position throughout was that the allegations had been fabricated, with his lawyer previously telling the court there was “no truth” in them.
The trial
The case was heard before Lord Harrower and was scheduled as a five-day hearing at the High Court in Glasgow. Before sending the jury out shortly before 11am on Monday, 24 August, following closing speeches, Lord Harrower instructed jurors that the Crown was required to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.
Dott’s snooker career
Dott turned professional in 1994 and went on to win the World Snooker Championship in 2006, defeating Peter Ebdon in the final at the Crucible in Sheffield. He also reached the final on two further occasions, losing to Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2004 and to Australian Neil Robertson in 2010.
Dott was suspended from competition by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) when the criminal charges against him were first announced in April 2025.
