Graeme Dott found guilty of child sex abuse offences

Former world snooker champion Graeme Dott has been found guilty of lewd and libidinous behaviour after a court heard he committed sexual offences against a young girl and a young boy. The verdict marks a devastating fall from grace for the 2006 world champion, who was once celebrated as one of Scotland’s most decorated sportsmen.

What the court found

Dott, 47, from Larkhall in South Lanarkshire, was convicted of the historical offences following a trial. The charges related to lewd and libidinous behaviour — a Scottish legal term covering sexual conduct towards children. The court heard evidence concerning two child victims, one female and one male. Specific details of the abuse were aired during proceedings, with the jury ultimately returning a guilty verdict against the former champion.

It’s a case that sent shockwaves through the tightly knit world of professional snooker, a sport where Dott had long been regarded as a respected figure.

Dott’s snooker career

Dott turned professional in 1995 and spent nearly three decades competing at the highest level. His crowning moment came at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in 2006, when he defeated Peter Ebdon 18-14 in the World Championship final. But beyond that title, he reached the world final again in 2010 and accumulated numerous ranking event victories. He was, by any measure, one of the sport’s genuine elite.

Yet the verdict now overshadows everything he achieved on the baize. And for many in the sport, the guilty finding is deeply difficult to reconcile with the player they thought they knew.

Reaction to the verdict

World Snooker Tour issued a brief statement following the conviction. “We are aware of the verdict and the matter is now being dealt with through the appropriate channels,” a spokesperson said. “We take all such matters extremely seriously.”

The governing body didn’t elaborate on what sanctions or proceedings might follow, but it’s widely expected that Dott’s membership and any remaining competitive licence will now be reviewed. His future in the sport — whether in any coaching, ambassador, or broadcast capacity — is also considered to be in serious doubt.

What happens next

Dott is due to be sentenced at a later date. The court will consider reports before determining the appropriate punishment, which could include a custodial term. His name will almost certainly be added to the sex offenders register.

For the two victims at the centre of the case, the verdict represents a measure of justice after what the prosecution described as a profound betrayal of trust.

So what does this mean for snooker’s reckoning with its own past? The sport has faced difficult questions before, but a conviction of a former world champion is without precedent. How the governing body responds — and how quickly — will be watched closely in the weeks ahead.