Graeme Dott, Former World Snooker Champion, Sentenced to Seven Years for Child Sexual Abuse

Graeme Dott, the Scottish snooker player who reached the pinnacle of his sport by winning the world title in 2006, has been ordered to serve seven years in prison for sexually abusing two children over a period spanning nearly two decades. The sentence was handed down at the High Court in Edinburgh, where Judge Lord Harrower delivered a stern condemnation of the 49-year-old's conduct and its lasting impact on his victims.

Dott had consistently denied the charges against him, entering not guilty pleas to two counts of lewd and libidinous behaviour involving a young girl and a young boy. The offences were alleged to have occurred between 1993 and 2010. Following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow, a jury rejected his denials and returned guilty verdicts. Throughout the sentencing hearing, Dott maintained a stoic demeanour, displaying no visible reaction as the judge announced the length of his incarceration. According to courtroom observers, he merely nodded in the direction of an individual seated in the public gallery before security personnel escorted him from the dock.

In his sentencing remarks, Lord Harrower emphasised the gravity of the crimes, telling Dott that he had deprived both victims of "a significant part of their childhood." The judge characterised the behaviour as exhibiting clear indicators of grooming. He noted that the two children were vulnerable for reasons that extended beyond their young ages, and that Dott had manipulated them by offering treats as rewards and by framing the abuse as a game. The court heard that Dott also explicitly warned both victims that nobody would believe them if they ever disclosed what had happened, a common tactic used by abusers to ensure silence and maintain control.

The specific facts outlined during the trial painted a disturbing picture of prolonged and calculated abuse. Dott was only sixteen or seventeen years old when he began abusing the first victim, a girl who was approximately nine years old at the time. The abuse of his second victim, a boy who was around eight when the offending started, commenced roughly a decade later. Testimony revealed that Dott had exposed himself to the girl and touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions during the 1990s. One incident involved him giving the girl a piggyback ride while caressing her bottom. On another occasion, he suggested she remove her trousers and then lifted her top and kissed her stomach after asking if she wanted to engage in a "guessing game."

The female victim, who is now in her forties, provided a detailed and harrowing account of the abuse during the trial. She described how Dott would kiss her and touch her inappropriately, and she recounted one act that she said would constitute rape under current legal definitions. She also recalled a sensory detail that had remained with her for decades: the smell of creams that Dott used to treat a skin condition, which she associated with the times he kissed her. She told the court that his actions left her feeling profoundly "shocked and scared." The court also heard that, as part of the abuse, Dott gave her a teddy bear adorned with a love heart, a gift that prosecutors suggested was intended to normalise the inappropriate relationship and secure her compliance.

The case was not the first time the allegations had come to the attention of authorities. Police had previously contacted Dott in 2001 regarding the claims, but no charges were brought at that time. The matter was revisited years later when the female victim provided a new statement to police in 2025. That renewed cooperation with investigators ultimately led to the prosecution and, subsequently, to Dott's conviction. The Crown Office, Scotland's prosecution service, has since praised the victim's courage in coming forward again after so many years had passed.

Lord Harrower also addressed the psychological toll of the abuse, noting that both victims had suffered "overwhelming emotions of fear, shame and anger." He said these emotions had adversely affected their mental health well into adulthood. The judge described Dott's conduct as "a gross violation of trust," underscoring the particular seriousness of abusing children who looked to him as a figure of authority or trust. As the judge spoke, Dott reportedly shook his head repeatedly, appearing to show disbelief at the proceedings.

During the sentencing hearing, the court was told that social work assessments had classified Dott as posing a "below average risk of reoffending." However, Lord Harrower made clear that because Dott continued to proclaim his innocence, there was no basis on which the court could consider any expression of remorse. The judge's comments highlighted the tension between the professional risk assessment and the absence of any acceptance of responsibility on the part of the convicted man.

The defence team, led by Euan Dow, offered mitigating information on Dott's behalf. Dow told the court that Dott, a father of two, is now separated from his wife, although he "continues to enjoy the support of his family and friends." The defence solicitor also stated that Dott suffers from "long-standing mental health issues" and that his personal and professional reputations had been completely destroyed by the case. Additionally, the court heard that Dott had already faced threats while in custody, prompting authorities to transfer him to a different prison for his own safety.

The seven-year sentence has been backdated to 24 August, the date Dott was first remanded into custody following his conviction. In addition to the prison term, the court ordered that Dott will remain on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life. The lifelong notification requirement reflects the serious nature of the offences and is intended to ensure ongoing monitoring and public protection.

Following the sentencing, Procurator Fiscal Faye Cook of the Crown Office issued a statement emphasising the gravity of Dott's crimes and the betrayal they represented. She said that Dott had achieved success and public admiration during his snooker career but that, in private, he had exploited the trust of two children in order to abuse and coerce them. Cook described his criminal behaviour as his ultimate downfall, adding that he now faces the consequences of his actions. She also stressed that "justice has no time limit" and encouraged other survivors of historical abuse to come forward and report what happened to them, regardless of how much time has passed. Her comments echoed a broader message from law enforcement and prosecutors that victims of non-recent abuse can still seek accountability through the courts.

Dott's snooker career had been marked by significant achievement. He won the World Snooker Championship in 2006, defeating Peter Ebdon in a memorable final. He also reached the final of the tournament on two other occasions, in 2004 and 2010, and was a respected figure in the sport for many years. At the time of the offences, however, he was not the celebrated public figure he would later become. His transition from world champion to convicted sex offender represents one of the most dramatic falls from grace in British sporting history. The case has reignited discussions about how sporting bodies handle allegations of abuse and whether enough is done to protect children who interact with high-profile figures in professional sports.

The trial at the High Court in Glasgow had heard from multiple witnesses, and the jury deliberated before returning unanimous guilty verdicts. Dott had previously described the allegations against him as "disgusting" and maintained his innocence throughout the legal process. His refusal to accept responsibility, even after conviction, means he will not benefit from any reduction in sentence that might have been available had he shown genuine contrition. Legal analysts have noted that maintaining innocence is a defendant's right, but it often eliminates the possibility of receiving credit for remorse.