From World Champion To Convicted Child Abuser: Graeme Dott's Stunning Fall After Jury Verdict

Former world snooker champion Graeme Dott has been found guilty of sexually abusing two children, after a jury at the High Court in Glasgow convicted him of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour involving a girl and a boy who were of primary school age at the time.

The 49-year-old was convicted by a majority verdict on Monday, 24 August, following a five-day trial. The offences related to conduct involving two separate complainants.

Allegations Spanned More Than a Decade

The first charge involved a girl and related to incidents said to have taken place between 1993 and 1996 in the Glasgow area. The second concerned a boy and covered alleged incidents between 2006 and 2010.

During the trial, the court heard evidence from both complainants, who are now adults. The woman, who is now in her 40s, described multiple incidents of alleged sexual abuse during her childhood.

The court heard that Dott exposed himself, touched her inappropriately and kissed her. She also described an alleged incident involving a game during which she said Dott exposed himself and touched her.

The second complainant, a man now in his late 20s, also described multiple incidents. He told jurors that Dott entered a shower while he was there and touched him inappropriately.

He also described alleged incidents involving kissing and unwanted physical contact in a car. The allegations were strongly denied by Dott during the trial.

Dott Rejected Allegations in Witness Box

Giving evidence in his own defence, Dott told the court there was 'absolutely no way' he had sexually abused either child.

He denied the allegations involving the girl and rejected the suggestion that he had been attracted to her when she was young, describing that suggestion as 'disgusting'.

Dott also denied ever being in the company of the male complainant and rejected the allegations made against him.

His lawyer, Euan Dow, urged the jury to clear Dott of both charges. Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel, however, argued that the Crown had proved its case and urged jurors to return guilty verdicts. After considering the evidence, the jury found Dott guilty on both charges.

From Crucible Glory to Criminal Convictions

The verdict marks a reversal for Dott, whose greatest sporting achievement came at the Crucible nearly two decades ago.

Dott became world champion in 2006 after defeating Peter Ebdon in the final in Sheffield. He had previously reached the final in 2004, when he lost to Ronnie O'Sullivan, and returned to the championship match in 2010, when Neil Robertson defeated him.

His professional career was already under suspension before Monday's verdict. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association suspended Dott in April 2025 after the charges became public.

Sentence Deferred and Sex Offenders Register

Following the guilty verdicts, Judge Lord Harrower ordered that a background report be prepared before sentencing.

Dott was remanded in custody and told he must provide his name and address to police so that he can be added to the sex offenders register. Sentencing has been deferred until 29 September 2026 at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The conviction closes one chapter of the case, but the legal process is not yet complete. Dott's sentence will be determined at the forthcoming hearing after the court has considered the required background report.

For the former world champion, the verdict marks a fall from the sporting heights he reached at Sheffield's Crucible in 2006. His name, once associated with one of snooker's biggest prizes, is now linked to two criminal convictions involving the sexual abuse of children.