The short version
- Graeme Dott was found guilty of two counts of lewd and libidinous behavior after a five-day trial in Glasgow.
- The convictions relate to allegations involving a girl abused between 1993 and 1996 and a boy abused between 2006 and 2010.
- Dott has been remanded in custody and must register as a sex offender while awaiting sentencing in September.
Former world snooker champion Graeme Dott has been convicted of sexually abusing two children, marking a stark end to his legal defense against allegations that spanned nearly two decades. A jury at the High Court in Glasgow found the 49-year-old guilty on Monday of two charges of lewd and libidinous behavior, an offense category used for sexual crimes against children committed before December 2010. The verdict concludes a five-day trial that examined accusations involving a girl targeted between 1993 and 1996 and a boy abused between 2006 and 2010.
During the proceedings, jurors heard detailed testimony from both victims regarding the nature of the abuse. The first victim, now a woman in her 40s, described incidents that began when she was a primary school student. She recounted how Dott would caress her bottom over her clothing while giving her piggyback rides and later engaged in more explicit sexual acts. In one instance, she said he suggested playing a guessing game which involved him exposing himself and touching her with various parts of his body, including his penis. She also noted that he bought her a teddy bear with a love heart on it during the period of abuse.
The second victim, a man now in his late 20s, testified that his abuse began shortly after Dott won the World Snooker Championship at The Crucible in Sheffield in 2006. He described multiple incidents where Dott entered the shower with him, partly or fully undressed, and washed his body while touching him inappropriately. The witness stated that he now believes Dott was deriving sexual gratification from these interactions, noting that the snooker player appeared to be pleasuring himself during some encounters. Additional abuse occurred in a car, where Dott kissed him on the face, head, and lips.
Dott maintained his innocence throughout the trial, denying all allegations under cross-examination. He characterized the accusations as lies and described the idea of being attracted to the young girl as disgusting. When confronted with specific claims about touching the first victim or having the second boy in his company, he firmly rejected them, asserting that he had never acted inappropriately with anyone. His defense lawyer, Euan Dow, urged jurors to clear his client of both charges, arguing against the prosecution's narrative.
Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel presented a case centered on Dott exploiting opportunities for personal gratification at the expense of vulnerable children. She argued that the course of conduct relied on access to these minors and resulted in severe harm. The jury returned majority verdicts finding him guilty on both counts. Upon hearing the decision, Dott covered his face with his hands and shook his head, a reaction observed by those present in the courtroom as the jurors delivered their findings.
The timeline of the allegations reveals a significant gap between initial police contact and formal charges. Authorities previously contacted Dott regarding the accusations in 2001, but no charges were brought at that time. The woman who was abused as a child provided a new statement to police in 2025, which contributed to the recent prosecution. This delay highlights the complex nature of historical abuse cases, where victims may take years or decades to come forward with their experiences.
Judge Lord Harrower deferred sentencing until September 29 at the High Court in Edinburgh. He instructed Dott to register his name and address with police so he can be added to the sex offenders register immediately. The judge stated he would refrain from commenting further on the offenses until he receives a background report from a social worker, which is necessary to consider the full range of sentencing options available. A victim impact statement from the woman abused in the 1990s will also be considered during this process.
Dott has been remanded in custody pending his sentencing hearing. The conviction stands as a significant legal outcome for a prominent figure in British sports, ending his career's public chapter with criminal convictions rather than athletic achievements. The case underscores the ongoing efforts to address historical sexual abuse, even when it involves high-profile individuals and events that occurred many years ago. The next steps involve the preparation of social work reports and the eventual determination of an appropriate sentence by the court.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Snooker champion Graeme Dott guilty of child sex abuse
- The Guardian World↗Former world snooker champion Graeme Dott found guilty of sexually abusing children
