Glasgow court finds former snooker champion guilty of historical child abuse
Graeme Dott, the 2006 World Snooker Champion, was convicted of lewd and libidinous behaviour towards two children, a verdict that raises questions about the timing of police intervention.
Former world snooker champion Graeme Dott has been found guilty of two charges of lewd and libidinous behaviour at the High Court in Glasgow. The 49-year-old, who defeated Peter Ebdon to win his sole world title in 2006, was convicted by a jury following a five-day trial. The charges relate to sexual misconduct towards a primary school girl in the 1990s and a young boy between 2006 and 2010.
The legal framework for the conviction relies on the offence of lewd and libidinous practices, which applies to sexual crimes against children committed prior to 1 December 2010. Although the specific charge was abolished in 2009, it remains applicable to earlier offences. Dott, who had previously described the allegations as "disgusting" and "false," covered his face with his hands and shook his head as the verdict was delivered.
During the trial, the court heard detailed accounts from the victims. The female victim, now a woman in her 40s, testified that Dott exposed himself and carried out a sexual act that would amount to rape under current laws. She recalled specific details, including Dott using creams for a skin condition and purchasing her a teddy bear with a love heart on it. The male victim, now a man in his 20s, stated that the abuse began shortly after Dott’s 2006 victory. He described being molested in a shower in South Lanarkshire, in a car, and while Dott played online poker.
A significant aspect of the case involves the timeline of police involvement. Authorities had contacted Dott regarding the allegations in 2001 but did not bring charges at that time. Proceedings were ultimately triggered when the female victim provided a new statement to police in 2025. Dott has submitted a victim impact statement from the woman for the judge’s consideration.
Lord Harrower, who presided over the trial, informed Dott that sentencing would take place at a separate hearing in Edinburgh on 29 September. The case highlights the complexities of prosecuting historical offences and the varying standards of evidence required to bring charges decades after the alleged incidents.
The conviction marks a significant moment for the sport, as Dott’s reputation was previously built on his 2006 triumph at The Crucible in Sheffield. While the legal process is now moving towards sentencing, the gap between the initial police contact in 2001 and the final conviction in 2026 may prompt further scrutiny of how such cases are managed within the justice system.
