Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Graeme Dott, the former world snooker champion, has been found guilty of child sexual abuse charges at the High Court in Glasgow. The 49-year-old had denied two counts involving lewd and libidinous behavior toward a girl and a boy spanning from 1993 to 2010. However, testimony during the trial revealed that Dott had exposed himself and engaged in inappropriate physical contact with a primary school-aged girl in the 1990s, as well as abused a young boy during the period between 2006 and 2010.
The judge overseeing the case, Lord Harrower, informed Dott that sentencing would occur at a separate hearing scheduled for 29 September in Edinburgh. As the jury delivered their verdict following a five-day trial, Dott was observed covering his face with his hands and shaking his head. Earlier, Dott had described the allegations as “disgusting.” He rose to prominence after capturing the World Snooker Championship title in 2006.
The term “lewd and libidinous behaviour” pertains to sexual offenses against children committed before 1 December 2010. Although this offense was abolished in 2009, it remains applicable for crimes that took place prior to that date. Evidence presented in court detailed incidents where Dott had “caressed” the girl’s bottom while giving her a piggyback and had once exposed himself to her. On a separate occasion, he suggested the girl lower her trousers, lifted her top, and kissed her stomach, all under the guise of playing a “guessing game.” The woman, now in her 40s, recounted how these acts left her “shocked and scared,” also recalling the smell of creams Dott used for a skin condition during the abuse.
The court heard that during the abuse, Dott bought the girl gifts, including a teddy bear adorned with a love heart. Police had previously interviewed Dott regarding these allegations in 2001 but took no action at that time. The woman later provided a fresh statement to police in 2025. In his testimony, the boy, now a man in his 20s, said the abuse began shortly after Dott’s 2006 world championship victory over Peter Ebdon. The victim described being molested at about eight years old in a shower at a residence in South Lanarkshire. The man recounted being “rewarded” with crisps, fizzy drinks, and a £50 note, which he was later accused of stealing when his parents discovered it. He also revealed instances of abuse in a car and inappropriate touching while Dott played online poker. Throughout the trial, Dott maintained his innocence, denying all accusations and asserting that he had “never acted inappropriately with anyone.” Prior to sentencing, Lord Harrower was presented with a victim impact statement from the woman. Dott remains in custody until the sentencing hearing
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.