Ex-Snooker Champion Graeme Dott Bags Seven Years for Child Abuse

Graeme Dott, a former world snooker champion, has received a seven-year prison sentence following his conviction for s*xually abusing two children of primary school age. The 49-year-old subjected both a young girl and a boy to numerous acts of abuse. The incidents involving the girl occurred between 1993 and 1996, while the boy was targeted from 2006 to 2010.

Appearing before the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday, Dott was told by Judge Lord Harrower that he had 'robbed the complainers of a significant part of their childhood'. Lord Harrower, in handing down the backdated seven-year sentence, described Dott's conduct as a 'gross violation of trust'.

During a five-day trial, evidence was presented detailing how Dott exposed himself to both children, engaged in inappropriate touching, and kissed them. He was found guilty in August on two counts of lewd, indecent, and libidinous behaviour concerning the victims.

The jury heard testimony from one of Dott's victims, a woman currently in her 40s, who recounted multiple instances of s*xual abuse by Dott during her childhood. The second victim, a man now in his late 20s, also testified about being s*xually abused by Dott numerous times.

Despite Dott's denial of the charges, the jury ultimately found him guilty. Judge Harrower ordered his remand into custody and mandated his inclusion on the s*x offenders register.

Dott, who began his professional career in snooker in 1994, achieved a significant milestone by winning the World Snooker Championship in 2006, where he triumphed over Peter Ebdon in the final held at the Crucible in Sheffield. He also reached the championship final twice more, losing to Ronnie O'Sullivan in 2004 and Neil Robertson in 2010. Consequent to his conviction, Dott's name was expunged from the World Snooker Hall of Fame.