Graeme Dott, the former world snooker champion, has been found guilty of sexually abusing two primary school-age children, a jury at the high court in Glasgow ruled on Monday.
Verdict follows five-day trial in Glasgow
The 49-year-old was convicted after a five-day trial in which jurors heard evidence alleging multiple incidents against two victims. The offences were said to have occurred in the Glasgow area, with one victim targeted between 1993 and 1996 and the other between 2006 and 2010.
The court heard that Dott exposed himself to both children, engaged in inappropriate touching and, in at least one case, kissed a child. He was found guilty of two counts of "lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour" in relation to the separate victims.
Victims gave detailed accounts of abuse
Jurors listened to accounts from both victims, now adults. One, a woman in her 40s, described repeated abuse while she was a child. She said the behaviour escalated from what she described as being "caressed" over clothing while given a piggyback, to an incident Dott framed as a "guessing game" during which he exposed himself and continued to touch her.
"He told me not to tell anyone he was sexually abusing me," the woman told the court.
The second victim, a man now in his late 20s, told the court he was abused on multiple occasions. Much of the evidence described episodes in a shower where Dott would enter partly or completely undressed, apply soap and wash the boy's body while touching him in what the witness described as "inappropriate places." He told jurors that in retrospect Dott was "clearly getting sexual gratification" and was "pleasuring himself" during these episodes.
What the court heard about methods and locations
Evidence detailed several settings in which the alleged abuse took place: domestic premises in the Glasgow area, a car, and in one victim's account, the communal act of showering where the defendant's conduct became sexual. The male victim said he did not understand what was happening at the time because of his age and only later realised the interactions were wrong.
- Victim one: girl, abuse between 1993–1996; exposed and touched while playing games.
- Victim two: boy, abuse between 2006–2010; incidents in showers and a car, including touching and kissing.
- Trial: five days at the high court in Glasgow; jury returned guilty verdicts on two counts.
| Victim | Period of alleged abuse | Alleged conduct |
|---|---|---|
| Female (now in her 40s) | 1993–1996 | Exposure, touching over and under clothing, sexual contact framed as a "game" |
| Male (now late 20s) | 2006–2010 | Touching, kissing, sexual acts in shower and in a car; defendant allegedly masturbated |
The verdict concludes the criminal trial phase. Sentencing will follow at a future hearing in accordance with court procedure. The evidence presented and the jury's decision will now inform the sentencing exercise, which will take account of the nature and duration of the offending.
Wider context and safeguarding questions
The case raises wider concerns about how abuse by prominent individuals can persist undetected over years, and the difficulties victims face in disclosing such behaviour. The prosecution's case relied on detailed personal testimony from complainants recalling incidents that took place decades apart. That testimony was central to the jury's unanimous decision to convict on both counts.
As the matter moves to sentencing, the case will also be closely watched by those involved in child protection and sport governance. High-profile convictions often prompt organisations to review safeguarding policies and to consider whether sufficient safeguards and reporting mechanisms were in place at the relevant times.
Legal and support services for victims emphasise the importance of specialist care and trauma-informed approaches during court processes. The accounts given at trial underline the long-term personal impact of abuse and the challenges of delayed disclosure.
Dott's status as a former world champion ensured the case attracted significant public attention; the court process, however, remained focused on the evidence presented and the jury's assessment of its credibility. The legal process now moves to sentencing, where the full details of the offences presented at trial will be considered by the judge.
