Graeme Dott Sentenced to Seven Years for Child Sex Abuse

Former world snooker champion Graeme Dott has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of child sexual abuse. The 49-year-old Scot was found guilty of two charges of lewd and libidinous behavior towards a girl and a boy between 1993 and 2010.

During the sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Lord Harrower stated that Dott's actions robbed his victims of a significant part of their childhood and exhibited grooming behavior. The court heard that Dott rewarded the victims with treats and disguised his abuse as part of a game. The abuse of the girl, who was about nine years old when it began, occurred when Dott was between 16 and 17. The abuse of the second victim, a boy aged about eight, started approximately a decade later.

Dott, who won the world snooker title in 2006, maintained his innocence throughout the trial. The judge noted that social work reports indicate a below-average risk of reoffending, but due to Dott's continued assertion of innocence, remorse could not be considered.

The court was informed that the victims experienced overwhelming emotions of fear, shame, and anger, which have impacted their mental health into adulthood. Lord Harrower described Dott's behavior as a gross violation of trust. Dott was visibly distressed during the sentencing, reportedly shaking his head in disbelief.

The sentencing has been backdated to August 24, when Dott was taken into custody. He will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Procurator Fiscal Faye Cook of the Crown Office emphasized that justice has no time limit and encouraged other victims of historical abuse to come forward.

Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Dott exposed himself and inappropriately touched the girl in the 1990s. The woman, now in her 40s, testified that Dott caressed her bottom and exposed himself to her on separate occasions. She also recounted an incident where Dott suggested she lower her trousers and proceeded to kiss her stomach after asking if she wanted to play a guessing game. Dott also inappropriately touched her and performed a sexual act that would now be considered rape. She recalled the smell of creams Dott used and stated the actions left her shocked and scared. During the abuse, Dott reportedly bought her a teddy bear.

The male victim, now in his 20s, stated that the abuse began shortly after Dott's 2006 world championship win. He described being molested by Dott in a shower at a home in South Lanarkshire when he was about eight years old. The victim reported receiving crisps and fizzy drinks as rewards from Dott, and also alleged that Dott accused him of stealing a £50 note. The abuse also occurred in a car and while Dott played online poker.

Dott was convicted of lewd and libidinous practices, a term used for sexual offenses against children committed before December 1, 2010. This offense was abolished in 2009 but is still applied to crimes committed before its repeal.

Following his conviction in August, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association permanently revoked Dott's membership. He had been suspended from all professional snooker activities in April 2025 pending the trial's outcome and was subsequently relegated from the professional ranking list at the end of the 2025/26 season. Dott has two prior convictions for minor road traffic offenses in 2013 and 2015.

The court heard that Dott has faced threats in prison and was moved to a different facility. His defense counsel mentioned that Dott, a father of two, is separated from his wife but retains the support of family and friends. They also noted his long-standing mental health issues and the destruction of his personal and professional reputation.