A jury at the High Court in Glasgow has found Graeme Dott, the former world snooker champion, guilty of historic child sexual offences relating to two victims, court records show. The verdict was delivered on Monday 24 August 2026 after a trial that examined conduct alleged to have taken place over two distinct periods.
Allegations and legal timeline
The charges related to complaints made by a girl said to have been targeted between 1993 and 1996, and by a boy in respect of acts alleged to have occurred between 2006 and 2010. At the times specified in the charges, both complainants were of primary school age, the prosecution said.
Dott, who is now 49, denied any wrongdoing throughout the proceedings. During the trial he described the allegations as "disgusting", his legal team stated in court.
"Disgusting"
Career highlights and immediate consequences
Dott turned professional in 1994 and reached the pinnacle of his sport when he won the World Snooker Championship in 2006, defeating Peter Ebdon in the Crucible final in Sheffield. He had earlier reached the world final in 2004, where he lost to Ronnie O'Sullivan, and again in 2010, when he was beaten by Neil Robertson.
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) had suspended Dott from competition when the criminal charges were announced in April 2025. That suspension remained in place throughout the trial.
What was before the court
The proceedings at the High Court dealt with historical allegations of a sexual nature, described in court as "lewd, indecent and libidinous" behaviour. The prosecution presented evidence covering the two periods cited; defence counsel rejected the allegations and argued for Dott's acquittal.
- Defendant: Graeme Dott, aged 49
- Verdict: Guilty of historical child sex offences
- Alleged incidents: 1993–1996 (girl); 2006–2010 (boy)
- Victims’ ages: Described as of primary school age at the time of alleged offences
- Professional impact: Suspended by the WPBSA in April 2025
Wider implications and next steps
The conviction of a prominent sporting figure is likely to prompt renewed scrutiny of safeguarding practices within snooker and other sporting bodies, including how allegations are handled when they relate to events some years in the past. The WPBSA’s earlier decision to suspend Dott followed the initial court charges; the governing body has said previously that it acts to protect the integrity of the sport and the welfare of participants.
Sentencing arrangements have not been reported in the material made available immediately after the verdict. Court judges commonly adjourn for a pre-sentence hearing or to set a date for sentencing in cases of this nature. The defence may seek to appeal the conviction, and further reporting will be required to track any such applications.
This case also illustrates the legal and evidential complexities that arise in historic sexual offence trials, where events are alleged to have occurred decades earlier and where memories and records can be limited. The High Court’s handling of witness testimony, corroboration and legal direction to the jury will be scrutinised by both practitioners and victim-support groups.
Representatives for the defence and the prosecution did not provide further comment in the material available at the time of publication. The WPBSA has previously stated its policy of cooperating with law enforcement and ensuring appropriate safeguarding measures within the sport.
WE NEWS will update this report as further details become available, including any sentencing hearing dates, comment from the governing body and responses from victim support organisations.
