Former world champion Graeme Dott has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of two counts of sexual abuse of children at the High Court in Glasgow. The Scottish snooker player received the sentence without showing visible reaction, and was taken to prison from the court.
The charges related to the sexual abuse of a girl and a boy between 1993 and 2010. One of the victims was a girl who was around nine years old when the abuse began, while the other victim was a boy of approximately eight years old. Their testimony was key to the proceedings, with the court establishing Dott's guilt. Dott denied the allegations throughout, and continued to claim his innocence even after the sentence was passed.
Judge Lord Harrower stated that Dott had deprived the victims of a significant part of their childhood through his actions, which exhibited characteristics of grooming and manipulation. According to the court's findings, Dott used gifts and sweets to win the children over, presenting his actions as a game. He told the children that no one would believe them if they told anyone what had happened. Judge Harrower noted that Dott's behaviour constituted a breach of trust, with the victims enduring strong feelings of fear, shame, and anger for years. In determining the sentence, the judge could not take into account any potential remorse.
The seven-year sentence is calculated from 24 August, when he was remanded in custody. He will be placed on the sex offenders register for life. Following the verdict in August, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) revoked his membership. Dott was suspended from all professional activities in April, and has now been removed from the professional ranking list following the end of the 2025/26 season.
Dott became world champion in 2006, when he defeated Peter Ebdon in the final at the Crucible. That title remains the greatest achievement of his professional career.
