Former world snooker champion Graeme Dott convicted of child sexual abuse in Glasgow

Graeme Dott, the 49-year-old former world snooker champion, was found guilty of child sexual abuse by a jury at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday. The verdict followed a five-day trial in which Dott denied two charges of lewd and libidinous behavior toward a girl and a boy between 1993 and 2010 .

Lord Harrower told Dott he would be sentenced at a separate hearing in Edinburgh on Sept. 29. Dott, who won the World Snooker Championship in 2006, covered his face with his hands and shook his head as the verdict was delivered. He had previously called the allegations "disgusting" .

The court heard that Dott exposed himself and inappropriately touched a primary school girl in the 1990s. The woman, now in her 40s, testified that Dott caressed her bottom while giving her a piggyback ride, suggested she "take her trousers down," and lifted her top to kiss her stomach during a "guessing game." She said he carried out a sexual act that would now amount to rape, leaving her "shocked and scared." She recalled the smell of creams Dott used for a skin condition and said he bought her a teddy bear with a love heart during the abuse .

Police first contacted Dott about the allegations in 2001, but no charges were brought at the time. The woman provided a new statement to police in 2025 .

The second victim, now a man in his 20s, said the abuse began shortly after Dott defeated Peter Ebdon to win the 2006 world title. He testified that Dott molested him in a shower at a home in South Lanarkshire when he was about 8 years old. The man said Dott "rewarded" him with crisps, fizzy drinks, and once a £50 note, only to accuse him of stealing it when his parents discovered the money. He also described being inappropriately touched in a car and while Dott played online poker .

Lewd and libidinous practices refer to sexual crimes against children committed before Dec. 1, 2010. The offense was abolished in 2009 but remains applicable for earlier crimes .

Dott, a professional since 1994, was suspended from competition by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association after the charges were announced .