Former world snooker champion Graeme Dott has been convicted of child sexual abuse following a five-day trial at the High Court in Glasgow. The 49-year-old was found guilty of two charges of lewd and libidinous behaviour involving a young girl and a young boy, spanning a period between 1993 and 2010.
Jurors delivered the guilty verdict, prompting Dott to cover his face with his hands and shake his head in court. Lord Harrower remanded Dott in custody ahead of his sentencing, which is scheduled to take place at a separate hearing in Edinburgh on 29 September. The court was informed that the female victim has submitted a victim impact statement for the judge to consider before determining the sentence.
The trial heard detailed evidence regarding the abuse of a girl during the 1990s. The victim, who is now a woman in her 40s, testified that Dott exposed himself to her and touched her inappropriately. She recounted an incident where Dott caressed her bottom while giving her a piggyback, and another where he asked if she wanted to "play a guessing game" before suggesting she "take her trousers down," lifting her top, and kissing her stomach.
She further stated that Dott kissed her, touched her inappropriately, and performed a sexual act that would constitute rape under modern laws.
The victim recalled being left "shocked and scared" and remembered the "smell" of creams Dott applied for a skin condition. The prosecution also revealed that Dott bought her a teddy bear with a love heart on it during the period of abuse. Police had previously contacted Dott regarding these allegations in 2001, but no charges were brought at that time. The woman subsequently provided a new statement to police in 2025.
The second charge involved a boy who is now a man in his 20s. He testified that the abuse began shortly after Dott defeated Peter Ebdon at The Crucible in Sheffield to win the 2006 World Snooker Championship. The victim was approximately eight years old when Dott first molested him in a shower at a residence in South Lanarkshire. According to his testimony, Dott would "reward" him with fizzy drinks and crisps.
On one occasion, Dott handed him a £50 note but later accused the boy of stealing it when his parents discovered the money. The victim also testified that he was abused inside a car on several occasions and was "inappropriately touched" while Dott played online poker.
The charges of "lewd and libidinous" practices apply to historical sexual offences against children committed before December 1, 2010. Although the specific offence was legally abolished in 2009, it remains applicable for prosecuting crimes committed prior to that date.
Throughout the trial, Dott maintained his innocence, previously calling the accusations "disgusting" and testifying that the allegations were entirely false, asserting that he had "never acted inappropriately with anyone."
Following the conviction, Detective Inspector Gary Smillie of Police Scotland condemned Dott's actions, labeling him a "dangerous individual." Smillie expressed hope that the verdict would offer some comfort to the victims, praising their resilience. "His conviction is as a direct result of their strength in coming forward and providing information which assisted our inquiries," the detective inspector stated.
