Ex-world snooker champion Graeme Dott guilty of child sex abuse

A former world snooker champion has been found guilty of historical child sex abuse.

Warning: This article contains details of child sexual abuse.

Graeme Dott, 49, went on trial accused of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour towards two children.

The allegations spanned between 1993 and 1996 involving a girl, and 2006 to 2010 involving a boy.

At the time, both of the youngsters were of primary school age.

Dott denied any wrongdoing, branding the allegations "disgusting" during his trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

The female victim, who is now in her 40s, was preyed upon in the Glasgow region.

She recalled one incident in which Dott started to "caress" her buttocks over her clothing during an indoor piggyback ride.

The woman told jurors of being sexually abused during a "guessing game", which was said to have taken place more than once during which she would have to close her eyes and "guess" what Dott was doing.

In one incident, she said Dott removed her trousers, lifted her top and kissed her stomach.

He also exposed himself during another incident and induced her to briefly engage in a sex act, which came to an end when she "started to cry".

The woman told the court she was "shocked, scared", before later adding: "I wanted to do what he was asking me to do because I didn't want to upset him or anything like that."

Jurors heard how the woman confided in a friend when she was a teenager and then went on to tell family members and a guidance teacher at secondary school.

She made a report to the police in 2001, but the complaint went nowhere until officers knocked on her door 23 years later in November 2024 in light of allegations made by the male victim.

The man, who is now in his late-20s, was targeted in South Lanarkshire.

Jurors heard how Dott - who was world snooker champion at the time - mostly molested the boy when the youngster was in a shower and would touch him in "inappropriate places".

The man said that because of his age at the time, he "did not know what was going on", and it was only later that he realised the interaction "wasn't right".

He described Dott's demeanour as "aggressive", adding: "Looking back, he knew what he wanted me to do."

The man added: "He expected nothing but compliance."

Dott also made sexual advances towards him in a car.

When asked by Advocate Depute Lindsey Dalziel where he was kissed, the victim replied: "On my head, on my face, on my lips."

Both victims told the court they received gifts from Dott at the time of his abuse.

The woman said she was once given a teddy, which had a love heart on it that read "love me".

The man said he was gifted snacks and treats - including a £50 note - as a "reward strategy", and as a result now has an aversion to Thai chilli crisps, Irn-Bru and Dove soap.

The victim said the smell of Dove now gives him "PTSD flashbacks".

Read more from the trial:
Snooker champion sex abuse trial begins
Woman denies saying 'I'm going to be rich'
Dott brands allegations 'disgusting'

Dott refuted each of the allegations while testifying in his own defence.

When accused by the prosecutor of being "sexually attracted" to the girl while she was in primary school, he replied: "Disgusting."

He also denied repeatedly abusing the boy in the shower, stating: "No, it didn't happen."

He told the court: "I've never acted inappropriately towards anybody."

Jurors returned their guilty verdict on Monday.

Judge Lord Harrower deferred sentence for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report.

Dott was remanded in custody meantime and will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on 29 September.

Detective Inspector Gary Smillie branded Dott a "dangerous individual".

The Police Scotland officer added: "I hope this conviction provides some measure of comfort to those impacted by his crimes."

Sky News questioned DI Smillie on why it took more than 20 years for the first victim's allegations to be taken seriously.

He replied: "I'm not going to comment on the decisions that were made 20 years ago in relation to when that individual came forward.

"However, what I will say is that both [victims] have shown significant strength in coming forward with their accounts and ultimately that has led to the conviction today."

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 in both 2004, when he was beaten by Ronnie O'Sullivan, and 2010, losing out to Australian Neil Robertson.

Dott was suspended from competition by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) when the court charges were announced in April 2025.

(c) Sky News 2026: Ex-world snooker champion Graeme Dott guilty of child sex abuse