Former World Snooker Champion Graeme Dott Found Guilty of Abusing Two Children
Graeme Dott, a former world snooker champion, has been convicted of sexually abusing two children in different times over several years.
Dott, 49, was found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow on two charges of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour towards a girl and a boy of primary school age when the alleged abuse took place.
The girl was abused between 1993 and 1996, while the boy was abused between 2006 and 2010, the court heard.
During the five-day trial, the court heard evidence from both affected people, who are now adults. They reported several cases of inappropriate touching and other sexual behaviour.
The woman told the court that the abuse started when Dott touched her inappropriately while giving her a piggyback. She also said that he once exposed himself to her and told her not to tell anyone what had happened.
The male witness reported that Dott abused him multiple times, including in a shower and car. He explained to the court that his actions were not understood due to his age.
At trial, Dott denied both allegations and said the claims were lies, and that he “absolutely could not” have sexually abused the children.
On Monday, the jury found him guilty by a majority.
The case also serves as a reminder of the need to listen to children’s disclosures and provide safe avenues for them to report inappropriate behaviour from a child protection perspective.
Dott, who won the World Snooker Championship in 2006, was remanded in custody. The court has postponed his sentencing until September 29, when it will review a social work background report.
