Former snooker world champion Graeme Dott jailed for child sexual abuse

Former snooker world champion Graeme Dott has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing a boy and a girl.

Dott, 49, was found guilty in August of two counts of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour following a five-day trial at Glasgow High Court. The court heard that he inappropriately touched and exposed himself to both children. He denied the charges and has continued to maintain his innocence.

Sentencing Dott at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Harrower said the abuse represented a “gross violation of trust” and carried “the hallmarks of grooming.” The judge said Dott had robbed the victims of a significant part of their childhood and that the abuse included penetrative sexual activity.

The offences against the girl occurred repeatedly between 1993 and 1996, beginning when Dott was 16 or 17. She told the trial that he touched her, exposed himself and warned her not to tell anyone.

The male victim, now in his late 20s, said Dott abused him on multiple occasions between 2006 and 2010, including in a shower and a car. He testified that he did not understand what was happening because of his age and realized only later that the conduct was wrong.

Dott was remanded in custody and placed on the sex offender register indefinitely. His lawyer, Euan Dow, cited Dott’s longstanding mental health issues in mitigation and said his personal and professional reputations had been destroyed.